News and Articles

 

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Most Recent Topics

 

H.R. 6331 - THE MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT: QUALITY CARE FOR RURAL SENIORS

Critical Access Hospitals: 

• "Critical Access Hospital Update":  As of August 1, 2002, there were 657 certified Critical Access Hospitals(CAHS) and numerous others involved in the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program (Flex Program). Source: Rural Policy Research Institute.
  
• "State Medicaid Payment Policies for Critical Access Hospitals":  Although Medicaid revenue represents a comparatively small share of Critical Access Hospitals’ (CAHs) overall business (7.2% of all days, on average), Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program (Flex Program) officials continue to report that these revenues are important to rural hospitals and that Medicaid reimbursement policies are a significant factor in deciding whether to convert to CAH status. Source:  Rural Policy Research Institute.

Safety:

• "HHS to provide nursing home quality information to increase safety and quality in nursing homes." *This press release appeared in HHS News published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.