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CMS Issues Change Request to Allow Category II Codes to Be Submitted on RHC Claims in 2025
11/5/2024
NARHC has been engaging with CMS over the last year in an attempt to resolve the CPT Category II code issue for RHCs, including through a letter to the CMS Administrator. We are very pleased to report that CMS recently issued a CMS Change Request to allow Category II codes to be submitted on RHC claims beginning April 7, 2025.
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Rural Health Clinics Secure Major Regulatory Wins in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
11/4/2024
NARHC Washington, D.C.
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule. NARHC is very pleased to report that the rule finalizes several Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific policy proposals, as well as other provisions with positive implications for the RHC community
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2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Released!
11/1/2024
NARHC Washington DC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule.
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Upcoming November 2nd Deadline for RHCs: Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule
10/23/2024
Shriya Velichala, NARHC Intern
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), released the Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final rule, regarding Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Telehealth Awareness Week - Make Your Voice Heard
9/16/2024
The American Telemedicine Association is celebrating the week of September 16th as “Telehealth Awareness Week.” NARHC is pleased to add its voice to the important discussion about how telehealth is used by the over 5,500 Rural Health Clinics nationwide and raise awareness about ways to improve it for our safety net providers.
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Comments Due Monday, September 9th on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Make your voice heard on the many provisions impacting RHCs!
9/5/2024
In early July, CMS published the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, containing numerous provisions with significant impacts for RHCs.
FTC Noncompete Ban Blocked
Ban will no longer take effect September 4, 2024
8/21/2024
On August 20, a federal judge blocked the Non-Compete Clause rule, citing a lack of authority of the FTC to enact the ban. Therefore, this ban is on hold, and will not go into effect September 4th.
Summary of CY25 CMS Proposed Rules for RHCs
Eliminates Productivity Standards, Modifies Lab Requirements, and Seeks to Clarify “Primarily Engaged in Primary Care,” Among Other Key Provisions for RHCs
8/6/2024
Sarah Hohman, NARHC Director of Government Affairs
On July 10th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule. This year’s 2,248 page rule, contains several Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific policy proposals, as well as other provisions with implications for the RHC community.
CMS Publishes Annual Proposed Rules with Significant RHC Provisions
7/10/2024 5:00:00 PM
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs
This afternoon, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule.
Stories Told and RHC Program Elevated: 2024 NARHC Policy Summit Recap
Plus, an invite to a live debrief webinar of the summit!
7/1/2024
NARHC Washington DC
Last week, nearly 40 Rural Health Clinic representatives flew to Washington, D.C. to elevate the voice of the RHC program on Capitol Hill at the 2024 NARHC Policy Summit.
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Congressional Committees Advance Dueling Telehealth Bills
RHC Telehealth Reimbursement Policy Remains Uncertain
6/18/2024
Jeffrey Burke, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
As Congress approaches the December 31st deadline to extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities, key committees in Congress have advanced differing pieces of legislation that will dictate federal telehealth policy in the years ahead.
HHS Finalizes Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule
“Covered Entities” Include all RHCs
5/15/2024
NARHC Washington DC
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) recently released a final rule regarding section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), titled Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities.
VA Harnesses Telehealth and Virtual Tools To Deliver High-Quality Health Care to Rural Veterans
5/13/2024
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Connected Care
More than 4.4 million Veterans in the United States reside in rural areas. That is almost one- quarter of the nation’s Veteran population. Veterans in rural areas often face unique health care challenges not shared by their suburban and urban counterparts. For example,
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CMS Releases Two Finalized Medicaid Access Rules
CMS to Require States to Publish FFS Medicaid Payment Rates and Assess MCO Network Adequacy
5/8/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs
Continuing the busy regulatory season, CMS released two substantial Medicaid rules, Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services and Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality, intended to advance access to care and quality of care for both Medicaid fee-for-service and Medicaid managed care patients.
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New Workforce Rules: Federal Trade Commission Bans Non-Competes, Department of Labor Redefines Overtime
5/8/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs
Survey Emphasizes Scale and Significance of the RHC Program
RHCs Provide Services for Over 62% of Rural America
4/25/2024
Vencetia Flournoy
According to a 2024 Policy Survey conducted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) serve over 62% of rural Americans. “We are deeply appreciative of the responsiveness from RHCs across the country” said Sarah Hohman, NARHC’s Director of Government Affairs. “Their feedback and data are critical to the future of NARHC and the RHC program as we work to understand and represent the experiences and priorities of the 5,400+ RHCs.”
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Telehealth Policy and Politics Update
Join NARHC’s Advocacy Efforts to Protect and Expand Telehealth for RHCs!
4/18/2024
Jeffrey Burke, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
NARHC recently launched a new campaign to help members of the RHC community advocate on the importance of telehealth.
Make Your Voice Heard – Medicare Advantage Request for Information
4/15/2024
Sarah Hohman, Director of Government Affairs, NARHC & Jeffrey Burke, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, NARHC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comments on Medicare Advantage (MA) data. This is an opportunity for RHCs to weigh in on issues surrounding MA, including shortcomings in existing data and areas where new data collection and publication would be helpful.
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NARHC Elevates CPT Category II Code Issue with Advocacy to the CMS Administrator
4/8/2024
NARHC Elevates CPT Category II Code Issue with Advocacy to the CMS Administrator
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