MHA's Center for Rural Health

CMS holding certain Rural Health Clinic claims

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has identified a Medicare claims processing problem impacting Rural Health Clinic claims, whereby claims submitted with more than one preventive service results in double reimbursement. Until it can implement a system fix, CMS said it will hold RHC claims for 71X types of bills that are submitted with more than one of the preventative services noted in Change Request 7208.

[ via AHA News Now ]

Mississippi TelEmergency Program Documentary Debuts

Mississippi's TelEmergency program was one of six in the nation selected for a documentary due to its innovative and collaborative approach to addressing the lack of access to emergency healthcare in rural areas. The documentary debuted last week in Washington, D.C. at the American Academy of Nursing Conference.

TelEmergency from SternerTurner Media on Vimeo.

CMS renews Joint Commission deeming authority for CAHs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently renewed The Joint Commission’s deeming authority for accreditation of critical access hospitals through Nov. 21, 2017. The designation means CAHs accredited by the organization may choose to be “deemed” as meeting Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements.

[ via AHA News Now ]

Obama makes it easier for rural hospitals to participate in Medicare ACOs

The Obama administration just released final rules on Medicare accountable care organizations that make it easier for rural providers to participate.

According to Kaiser, "the rule cuts in half the number of performance measurements, removing the electronic health records requirement and eliminating financial risks for some groups. CMS also relaxed the timetable for the launch of the ACOs. To entice providers, CMS said it will make $170 million available starting next year to physician-owned and rural providers to start ACOs."

Bill aims to bolster rural provider pay

A bipartisan group of four senators introduced a rural health bill that aims to boost or maintain payments to rural hospitals, physicians and other providers in various ways. Read more from Modern Heatlhcare here.