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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Specialty care

Apr 25, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) for re-approval as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for several specialty and subspecialty laboratories. CMS has re-approved AABB as an accreditation organization under CLIA and grants deeming authority for 6 years through April 25, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 15, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) as a national accrediting organization providing home infusion therapy services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. The approval is effective April 23, 2024, through April 23, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 3, 2024 - Highlights a Virginia initiative to increase access to clinical trials, cancer screenings, and specialty cancer care for rural residents. Discusses current access challenges such as distance, transportation, and socioeconomic barriers.
Source: WTOP News
Mar 22, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) as a national accrediting organization providing home infusion therapy services that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. The approval is effective March 27, 2024, through March 27, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 20, 2024 - Profiles a rural Oregon hospital expanding services to include specialty care. Notes the importance placed on healthcare access for people looking to move to a community.
Source: KPTV
Mar 18, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Disclosure Requirement for the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception." CMS will use the information collected to enforce the requirement that physicians who provide certain imaging services (MRI, CT, and PET) under the in-office ancillary services exception to the physician self-referral prohibition must provide the disclosure notice as well as the list of other imaging suppliers to the patient. Comments are due by May 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 13, 2024 - Highlights the history of telehealth use by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Describes how access to specialists, behavioral healthcare, and prescription medication in particular has been improved by telehealth. Discusses how rural healthcare access is managed for veterans without reliable internet access.
Source: Cronkite News
Mar 7, 2024 - Highlights the use of telemedicine in ambulances in an effort to improve health outcomes for patients being transported long distances to receive emergency care. Discusses loss of ambulance and hospital services in addition to limited specialty care in rural communities. Describes implementation in South Dakota and Minnesota.
Source: MPR News
Mar 6, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from COLA for re-approval as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for several specialty and subspecialty laboratories. CMS has re-approved COLA as an accreditation organization under CLIA and grants deeming authority for 6 years through March 6, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 4, 2024 - A rural Montana VA Community Living Center uses telehealth to connect residents with specialty care, allowing rural residents access to timely care. Notes this helps in areas with shortages of specialists and other healthcare workforce.
Source: Veteran's Administration