The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) created a summary of the new REH model and NRHA’s considerations for CMS as the program is implemented. Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 created the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model as a new Medicare provider type, effective as of January 1, 2023. NRHA believes the REH model will be an opportunity for vulnerable rural communities to maintain an essential access point for health services. It will be critical for NRHA membership to engage in the REH implementation process, including monitoring CMS’ development of the conditions of participation and calculations of payment methodologies. You can find NRHA’s blog on the document here. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Carrie Cochran-McClain at ccochran@nrharural.org.

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is urging Congress to include support for rural health care as they craft the American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as ‘the infrastructure package.’ Join NRHA in encouraging lawmakers to be mindful of the unique needs of rural America and ways rural health care supports local economies. You can participate in the newest advocacy campaign to encourage your Members of Congress to urge them to invest in rural health care infrastructure here.

Both Senate Republicans and the Problems Solvers Caucus introduced competing infrastructure proposals in response to President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. NRHA believes these proposals will serve as counteroffers and/or guideposts for Congressional negotiations as infrastructure priorities are codified into law.

In addition to the four proposed fiscal year (FY) 2022 payments rules released earlier this month, CMS has released the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH) proposed rule (Federal Registry Notice). It includes proposals on how to implement new Graduate Medicare Education (GME) provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, including how to distribute additional GME slots for rural residency training programs. The proposed rule also includes two Requests for Information: one on ways to attain health equity for all patients, and the other on the use of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards to digitally submit quality information.

During the Public Health Emergency Declaration, Medicaid enrollment in Pennsylvania has increased by 14 percent, adding an additional 416,000 enrollees for a total of 3,247,991 in March 2021. While Pennie has extended a Special Open Enrollment Period until Aug. 15, 2021, and offered more opportunities for additional tax credits to lower premiums, Medicaid is still a viable option for many consumers. Enrollment in the Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has decreased by 12 percent due to the transition of children to the Medicaid Program.

Beginning May 1, 2021, Pennie Enrollment Assisters will begin using a new reporting tool to record enrollment assistance. All enrollment assistance should be reported weekly using this new Pennie Assister Reporting Tool Link. The original reporting tool will only be available until May 7 for assistance provided in the month of April. Enrollment data captured in the Pennie system has been distributed to Pennie account managers and is available on the PACHC Outreach and Enrollment Slack Page.