Author: dianawinder

Rural Clinical Integrated Networks

March 13, 2025

Rural Clinical Integrated Networks

The team at Rural Health Value released a new resource, Introduction to Rural Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs):

  • that defines CINs,
  • describes common CIN characteristics, and
  • explores the unique value-based care advantages a rural CIN may bring to its members.

The conclusion of the brief is that a collaboration of independent rural health care organizations, incorporated as a CIN, can achieve the scale and develop the infrastructure necessary to successfully participate in value-based care and payment opportunities. The Rural Health Value team is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

Click Here to Read More

CMS Rescinds Medicaid Guidance on Health-Related Social Needs

March 13, 2025

CMS Rescinds Medicaid Guidance on Health-Related Social Needs

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced rescission of previous guidance for Center Information Bulletins (CIBs) related to services and supports addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) for Medicaid and state Children Health Insurance Programs (CHIPs). The rescinded guidance includes:

Rescinding this guidance does not negate programs that are currently approved. Rather, it informs States and the public that CMS will review applications to cover HRSN services on a case-by-case basis.

Click Here to Read More

 

CMS Reminds Hospitals about Price Transparency and Enforcement

March 13, 2025

CMS Reminds Hospitals about Price Transparency and Enforcement

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) alerted hospitals that the agency is planning a more systematic monitoring approach to non-compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency requirements.  Consistent with current policies, non-compliance will be addressed with swift enforcement.

CMS posted a list of enforcement actions to date as well as a Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement Activities and Outcomes dataset with information related to enforcement actions taken by CMS.

All hospitals,  are required to post their standard charges prominently on a publicly available website. This includes Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Emergency Hospitals, and hospital-based departments, which may include some Rural Health Clinics.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to See Hospital Price Transparency Requirements

Click Here to See List of Enforcement Actions to Date

Click Here to See Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement Activities and Outcomes dataset

National Poison Prevention Week, March 16 – 22

March 13, 2025

National Poison Prevention Week, March 16 – 22

In 1961, Congress created National Poison Prevention Week to increase knowledge about how to prevent and stop poisoning accidents. Communities and poison centers across the country host events every year to share the message during National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), March 16 – 22.

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is recognized annually to teach about the risks of poisonings and increase everyone’s involvement in poison prevention. Research has shown that poisonings are the second leading cause of fatal unintentional injury in rural areas, where distance to emergency care is a factor in outcomes.

Visit HRSA’s Poison Control Program’s website for more information and resources on how to prevent and respond to a poison emergency.

Click Here to visit HRSA’s Poison Control Program’s website

Click Here to visit HRSA’s Poison Prevention Week website to Learn More and access publicity materials

Learn About Federal Funding for EMS Agencies, March 19

March 13, 2025

Learn About Federal Funding for EMS Agencies, March 19

Learn more about FY 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) available funding. The upcoming $400 million SS4A funding round will provide resources for regional, local and Tribal initiatives focused on preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries. EMS agencies have an opportunity to secure grants for planning and demonstration projects.

This session will explore how EMS agencies can apply for SS4A funding independently or collaborate with local municipal and regional transportation partners. Rural communities are especially encouraged to learn more about the upcoming funding round to address their unique needs in areas of roadway safety. Attendees will also hear from a current SS4A award grantee who will share insights and helpful tips in applying for SS4A grant funds.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, March 19, 1:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

AI in Healthcare 2025: Trends, Adoption, and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape

March 11, 2025

AI in Healthcare 2025: Trends, Adoption, and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, healthcare organizations are increasingly exploring its potential to enhance both clinical and administrative workflows.

In an article published in January 2025 in HealthTech Magazine, the authors give an overview of 2025 AI trends they expect to see in healthcare over the coming year.  The article suggests AI adoption will grow, with a focus on tools that deliver tangible value, such as:

  • Ambient listening technology for clinical documentation, and
  • machine vision (adding cameras, sensors and microphones) for patient monitoring.

Generative AI solutions (AI that creates new content such as images and text), particularly those utilizing retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), are gaining traction as organizations seek to use chatbots that can access an organization’s information more accurately than in the past. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of data governance and IT infrastructure so that they can understand its own data and make it easier for IT teams to know how a solution will work in the organization’s environment. While AI presents transformative opportunities, its successful implementation depends on balancing innovation with regulatory compliance and strategic investment in technologies that address real-world challenges in patient care and operational efficiency.

With increased adoption comes greater scrutiny, prompting a rise in AI-related regulations. The healthcare sector is already seeing regulatory developments such as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s HTI-1 Final Rule, which governs health data and interoperability.

Additionally, organizations are seeking guidance on AI governance to mitigate risks and ensure responsible use. These concerns have driven recent legislative efforts at both the federal and state levels to regulate AI in healthcare. Legislation we have already seen on the federal level include S. 501, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop strategies to address AI-related public health threats, while H.R. 193 directs guidance on Medicare payments for AI-powered devices like continuous glucose monitors.

State legislatures are also taking action.  Examples include Connecticut’s SB 10 and Montana’s HB 556 ensuring AI cannot replace clinical judgment in insurance determinations, and Maryland’s HB 1240 prohibiting AI tools that prioritize cost savings over patient care quality. These measures reflect a growing push to balance AI’s potential benefits with safeguards that maintain ethical and patient-centered healthcare.

For more information, read the full HealthTech Magazine article.

Upcoming Medicare Telehealth Changes: What You Need to Know

March 11, 2025

Upcoming Medicare Telehealth Changes: What You Need to Know

Recent confusion has spread on social media about Medicare’s telehealth coverage, with some falsely claiming that all coverage will end on April 1, 2025. While it is true that Medicare’s expanded telehealth waivers are set to expire on March 31, 2025, telehealth coverage will not disappear entirely.

Additionally, there is a chance that Congress passes a bill to further extend the telehealth waivers before the March 31, 2025, deadline. In fact, the draft Continuing Resolution released on March 8 includes an extension of the telehealth flexibilities through September 30, 2025. However, passage of the continuing resolution is not guaranteed so it is important for providers to be aware of the policy landscape they may face should the telehealth waivers not be extended.

Without Congressional action to extend these waivers, stricter geographic and site restrictions will return, meaning only patients in rural areas and certain medical facilities will qualify for Medicare-covered telehealth.

Click Here to Learn More

Patient Resource: Telehealth for Children with Special Health Care Needs

March 11, 2025

Patient Resource: Telehealth for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Telehealth can be used to support children and families with unique health care needs.

On this page:

  • What should I know about telehealth if my child has special health care needs?
  • How can telehealth help with family-centered care?
  • What can I expect during my child’s telehealth exam?
  • How can I support my child during a virtual visit?

Click Here to Learn More

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Telehealth Rapid Response Center, HRSA-25-044 and HRSA-25-045, Apply by April 15

March 11, 2025

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Telehealth Rapid Response Center, HRSA-25-044 and HRSA-25-045, Apply by April 15

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding for:

The purpose of this program is to fund research that expands the evidence base to inform policy and programs for telehealth services in underserved populations in the United States.

Research supported through this program will inform providers, policymakers, and telehealth stakeholders on:

  • The latest trends and data impacting telehealth disparities and access,
  • Telehealth providers,
  • Flexibilities for telehealth care, and
  • Continued services for telehealth utilization in various specialties and via different modalities.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will award one cooperative agreement for each of the following opportunities:

  • Telehealth Rapid Response Center funded under HRSA-25-044 is responsible for conducting rapid data analyses and short-term issue-specific telehealth research studies.
    • It will provide stakeholders and the public with resources to understand the impact of telehealth policies and regulations as well as provide information that will improve telehealth access to underserved populations in the United States.
  • The Telehealth Research Center funded under HRSA-25-045 is responsible for conducting clinically informed and evidence-based research.
    • The Telehealth Research Center plays a key role in helping to expand the evidence base for telehealth services and address gaps in knowledge for effectiveness, costs, and delivery, including the use of telehealth technology.
    • This center will also conduct and maintain a comprehensive evaluation of nationwide telehealth investments in rural and underserved areas and populations.
    • This research will help health providers and decision-makers at the local, state and federal levels by examining the impact of telehealth services in rural and underserved communities on access to health care, population health/health indicator, health care spending, quality of care, value-based care, and clinical delivery of care.

Eligible Applicants:

  • State governments
  • Independent school districts
  • City or township governments
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Special district governments
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • County governments
  • Others – click Here to see full list of eligible applicants

Click Here to Learn More and Apply

Funding Opportunity: National Telehealth Resource Center Program, HRSA-25-043, Apply by April 14

March 11, 2025

Funding Opportunity: National Telehealth Resource Center Program, HRSA-25-043, Apply by April 14

Eligible organizations are welcome to apply for funding under the Regional Telehealth Resource Center (RTRC) program and the National Telehealth Resource Center (NTRC) program. These telehealth resource centers will support healthcare organizations, networks, and providers with telehealth implementation and training for rural areas, frontier communities, and medically underserved areas, as well as for medically underserved populations.

Eligible Organizations:

  • City or township governments
  • Others (see Domestic Organizations)
  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • For profit organizations other than small businesses
  • State governments
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Independent school districts
  • County governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Domestic Organizations that may apply:

  • Public institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Non-profits with or without a 501(c)(3) IRS status
  • For-profit organizations including:
    • Small businesses
    • State, county, city, township, and special district governments

Click Here to See full list of eligible organizations

Click Here to Learn More and Apply