In this 20-minute video, the nonprofit Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) provides an overview of the complicated structure of telehealth policy in the United States. The CCHP forms the National Telehealth Resource Centers to provide assistance and information to rural and under-served populations. Find the video here.
CMS Updates Guidance for RHCs and FQHCs during the Public Health Emergency
On July 6, CMS released its latest round of updates to the article, New and Expanded Flexibilities for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). CMS updated the article to provide additional guidance on telehealth services that have cost-sharing waived and additional claim examples along with an additional section on the RHC Productivity Standard. Find more information here.
Quality Measure Workspace Series of Webinars—Beginning July 15
CMS is hosting a series of webinars in July and August for hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, and clinicians reporting electronic clinical quality measures (eCQM). The first webinar will describe the resources available for the 2021 reporting period. Subsequent webinars will cover clinical flow (July 29) and the data element repository (August 12). Find more information here.
Comments Requested: ESRD CY 2021 Proposed Rule –September 4
On July 6, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed updates to payment policies and rates under the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for CY 2021. The proposal includes an expansion of the transitional add-on payment adjustment for new and innovative equipment and supplies (TPNIES) to qualifying home dialysis machines to support greater access and innovation for dialysis in the home setting. Proposed changes also include an ESRD base rate increase, updates to the outlier policy and adoption of new OMB delineations. CMS projects that rural ESRD facilities will experience a 0.6 percent increase in their CY 2021 estimated payments. The proposed rule is currently on display and was published in the federal register on July 13, 2020. Find more information here.
Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019
The Rural Health Information Hub has created a guide to help you learn about activities underway to address COVID-19. Find more information here.
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties
The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis provides up-to-date data and maps on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases beginning January 21. Find more information here.
CDC COVID-19 Updates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, and ongoing Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA). Find more information here.
COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs
Find all funding and frequently asked questions for programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Find more information here.
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19
A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders, updated regularly. Find more information here.
GAO: FCC Needs Comprehensive Strategic Planning for 5G Deployment
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that plans by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy the next generation of wireless communication technology, called 5G, do not have specific and measurable performance goals and may widen the digital divide for rural areas. Read more here.