Key Takeaways on CMS Final Rule 2026 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its CMS final rule 2026 policy changes for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on October 31, 2025.1 Actual changes go into effect on or after January 1, 2026. Other recent regulatory changes are also finalized. Changes that will […]
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Key Takeaways to Maximize RHC Reimbursements In 2023, hospitals absorbed $130 billion in Medicare and Medicaid underpayments — a roughly 14% annual increase over 2019.1 And underpayments are one reason providers can benefit from knowing how to maximize reimbursements for rural health clinics (RHCs). Why? Because a higher portion of RHC payments come from public sources compared
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Critical access hospitals (CAHs) get financial protection and access to government resources to support care in rural areas. Hospitals are only eligible for the CAH designation if they participate in the Medicare program. To earn the CAH designation, facilities also need to meet certain critical access hospital requirements. Criteria include distance, type of facility, staffing,
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Key Takeaways for Internet Options in Rural Areas Access to reliable high-speed Internet is missing from too many rural communities. And that limits access to essential healthcare services, which impacts patient care. It also plays a key role in connecting underserved communities to essential other resources and opportunities. But major Internet service providers (ISPs) are
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The rural emergency hospital designation gives rural hospitals a way to stay open when inpatient care becomes unprofitable. Instead of running inpatient units, hospitals can shift to a model that relies on emergency and outpatient services. This arrangement provides more consistent Medicare reimbursements and reduces financial uncertainty. It can benefit hospitals facing challenges due to
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Key Takeaways for National Rural Health Day National Rural Health Day is the third Thursday in November. In 2025, that’s November 20. At Azalea, our mission is to help underserved (aka rural) healthcare providers improve patient care and their profitability. And so we honor and celebrate the National Rural Health Day this year and everyday all year,
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Key Takeaways on OBBBA Medicaid Impact The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will hurt rural healthcare by hurting rural Medicaid recipients. It’s estimated that the OBBBA Medicaid impact on rural areas will result in up to 2.7 million people losing Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage by 2034.1 While the Rural Health Transformation
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Key Takeaways for Fee-for-Service vs Value-Based Care The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to move Medicare users from a Medicare fee-for-service model and most Medicaid users to a value-based care model by 2030. The goal reflects a broader shift in the healthcare industry, as providers, payers, and policymakers move away from traditional
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Key Takeaways on Medicare Prior Authorization Changes in 2026 Several Medicare changes in 2026 are underway. A few won’t have an immediate impact. But others could have a big impact on both providers and patients — in a good way. This article covers key changes, how they’ll benefit providers and patients, and what providers want
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Key Takeaways on AI Medical Documentation Last modified March 2, 2026 Physicians and clinicians go into healthcare to care for patients. They don’t want to spend hours navigating complex electronic health record (EHR) systems or dealing with documentation burdens and inefficient workflows. Add staffing shortages, especially in rural areas, and ways to reduce burden and
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