- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
- HHS: Request for Information (RFI): Ensuring Lawful Regulation and Unleashing Innovation To Make American Healthy Again
- Public Inspection: CMS: Request for Information: Health Technology Ecosystem
HHS Acquisition Regulation: Acquisition of Information Technology; Standards for Health Information Technology
– Comment by October 8. This proposed rule aims to implement updates to the Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), to align with requirements established by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Now the HHSAR and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) applies to all solicitations and contracts, issued by Health and Human Services (HHS) entities. This involves implementing, acquiring, or upgrading health information technology (IT) used for the direct exchange of individually identifiable health information between agencies and non-Federal entities, or by health care providers, health plans, or health insurance issuers under HHS contracts. HHS has determined that the proposed requirements are inherent to successful performance on any relevant Federal contract.
Annual Time Burden on CAHs for New Medicare Data Collection
– Comment by October 7. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requests public input on the annual hourly burden for Critical Access Hospitals to collect and report data on obstetrical services, as proposed in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System Rule, and on acute respiratory illnesses, as finalized in the Inpatient Prospective Payment System Rule. The new Conditions of Participation (CoPs) in these rules include multiple information collection requirements that are one-time burdens for developing new policies, protocols and ongoing reporting requirements, such as daily or biweekly reporting of respiratory illnesses as well as maternal deaths. More information can be found in the rules and in the information collection supporting documentation.
HHS Reports to Congress on Maternal Health Crisis
This report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) cites research showing fewer than half of all rural counties have a practicing obstetrician and reports on federal efforts to improve maternal health outcomes, including rural-focused programs. See the full range of FORHP-supported research on rural maternal health at the Rural Health Research Gateway.
Perspectives on Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access and Engagement from Rural Family Members and People in Treatment
Interviews with 20 family members in rural Vermont detail facilitators and barriers to using either medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) or illicit opioids. The report comes from the University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction, one of three FORHP-supported Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders.
Disability and Independence in Rural America: White Paper
The latest report from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services describes disability prevalence in rural areas and federal programs for people with disabilities. The paper outlines key considerations for rural disability services, including access, Medicaid and Medicare coverage, workforce, and telehealth and technology.
New White Paper Details Quality Improvement Through Swing Bed Utlization
Stroudwater has released a new brief detailing how Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) utilization of the swing bed program increased quality scores.
A CAH in southcentral Kentucky needed to improve its risk-adjusted mobility performance scores for its swing bed patients, and their rehabilitation and nursing staff needed to work as a team in motivating their swing bed patients to achieve their mobility goals, heal, and return home.
To learn how we helped this CAH improve its risk-adjusted mobility score by over 20%, please click here.
Recently, we published a white paper detailing how CAHs can enhance their role as providers of high-quality, community-centered care through proactive quality reporting and strategic use of data insights.
To read the full white paper, please click here.
Pennsylvania FQHC Network Unveils ‘Buddy Bench’ Initiative
From the Record-Argus
In collaboration with Buhl Park, Primary Health Network (PHN), based in Sharon, PA, recognizes that loneliness and isolation can profoundly affect individuals’ mental and emotional well-being and have answered with a call of action by implementing a new initiative, the Buddy Bench, which debuted at Buhl Park Friday.
The first of the Buddy Benches, facing Lake Julia at Buhl Park, was dedicated by Dr. George Garrow, CEO of the Primary
Health Network, and Tom Roskos, executive director of Buhl Park, with the idea that connections, even something as simple as sitting with someone, shows compassion and empathy, something Garrow believes is instrumental in today’s world.
“Our mission at Primary Health Network has always been to support the health of the community in every sense of the word, and this initiative is a testament to that commitment,” he said.
In introducing the concept of the PHN Buddy Bench project, Garrow said it is “a simple, yet powerful idea aimed at addressing the challenges of loneliness and isolation that many in our community face,” one of the many community initiatives under the auspices of PHN.
“Loneliness can be a heavy burden, often affecting one’s mental and emotional well-being that are not always physically visible, but deeply felt,” Garrow said. “This Buddy Bench is more than just a place to sit, it is a symbol of our collective effort to create spaces where people can connect and support one another.
“We are fostering an environment where everyone feels that they belong and that they are valued,” Garrow said. “I am reminded of the timeless wisdom of Mr. Fred Rogers, a beloved figure who deeply understood the power of human connection.”
In citing Rogers’ quote, “The greatest gift you can ever give is your honest and true self,” Garrow said Rogers’ sentiment reflects the PHN mission “that every person deserves to be seen, heard and valued. I encourage you to reach out to those around you, offer a kind word or simply be present,” as small gestures could provide a big impact.
As a way to make conversation starters, Communication Rock Gardens that include simple ice breaker questions were situated in front of the bench, that way if someone does see the bench is occupied, they can join the person or people on it and engage in easy conversation.
“Buhl Park is a gem in our community, where nearly a million people visit each year,” Roskos said, “and the opportunity for folks to get away, sit on a bench and start a conversation with somebody they may or may not know, to help combat this issue” of the feelings of loneliness and isolation is stepping in the right direction.
Roskos praised Garrow and PHN for their work, saying they are “a symbol for thoughtfulness and caring” in communities around the region.
While it is the first of the Buddy Benches, Primary Health has said this is not going to be an isolated outreach, instead, plans to expand to other communities served by PHN.
Another community outreach PHN is working on a literacy project, adding Little Free Libraries to communities where they offer clinical services.
Additional information about Primary Health Network, the Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation and its initiatives, visit primary-health.net.
CDC Oral Health Leadership Announced
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Oral Health (DOH) announced Gina Thornton-Evans, DDS, MPH has been selected to serve as Director of the Division of Oral Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).
HRSA Adds New Oral Health Resources
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has added two new oral health resources to their website as part of the “A Healthy Mouth for Every Body” campaign. The new resources highlight the role of oral health during pregnancy and the relationship between oral health and nutrition.
Pennsylvania AHEC SEARCH Academy for High School Students Accepting Applications
Do you have any high school students in your life? Pennsylvania AHEC Students Exploring and Researching Careers in Health (SEARCH) Academy is accepting applications for 2024. This free virtual program gives students the chance to learn about a variety of careers from health professionals across PA. Students may attend one or all three sessions, which will take place on Wednesday evenings starting in October. The oral health professionals session will be November 6th.