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CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
The Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Rebate Reduction Requests under Sections 11101 and 11102 of the Inflation Reduction Act; 2) Identifying Medicaid Payment for Physician Administered Drugs; and 3) Application to be a Qualified Entity to Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet. Comments are due by March 29, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 29, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Public Inspection: CMS: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Fees: Histocompatibility, Personnel, and Alternative Sanctions for Certificate of Waiver Laboratories; Correction
Pre-publication notice from the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to theDecember 28, 2023, notice titled "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Fees; Histocompatibility, Personnel, and Alternative Sanctions for Certificate of Waiver Laboratories." This correction is effective January 27, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 29, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

HHS: Meetings of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) on February 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The confirmed times and agenda will be published on thePACCARB website. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to present comments during the me...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 26, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for suicide prevention grants under the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). The purpose of the SSG Fox SPGP is to reduce veteran suicide by expanding suicide prevention programs for veterans through grants to entities that will provide or coordinate the provision of suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their families. This is a 1-year award with the option to renew for an additional year, pending availability of funds and grantee performance. Applications are due by April 26, 2024. (Source: Federal...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 26, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Public Inspection: CMS: Request for Information: Medicare Advantage Data
Pre-publication notice from the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on all aspects of data related to the MA program, including data not currently collected as well as data currently collected. CMS is especially interested in data-related recommendations related to beneficiary access to care, including provider directories and networks; prior authorization and utilization management, including denials of care and beneficiary experience with appeals processes as well as use and reliance on algorithms; cost and utilization of different supplemental benefits; all aspects of MA marketing and consumer...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 26, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2025; and 2) Satisfaction of Nursing Homes, Hospitals, and Outpatient Clinicians Working with the CMS Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors Program (NQIIC). Comments are due by February 26, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 25, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

HRSA: Solicitation of Nominations for Membership To Serve on the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to serve as members of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP). NACNEP provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on policy, program development, and other matters of significance concerning the activities under Title VIII of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, including the range of issues relating to the nurse workforce, education, and practice improvement. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. (Source: Fed...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 25, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

EBSA, IRS, HHS: Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Process Administrative Fee and Certified IDR Entity Fee Ranges; Correction
Notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) making technical corrections to theDecember 21, 2023, final rule. These corrections are effective January 22, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 24, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Public Inspection: EBSA, IRS, HHS: Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Process Administrative Fee and Certified Independent Dispute Resolution Entity Fee Ranges; Correction
Pre-publication notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) making technical corrections to theDecember 21, 2023, final rule. These corrections are effective January 22, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 23, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs
Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection regarding forms used by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs). The forms are used to assess an LRP applicant's eligibility and qualifications for the LRP, determine LRP applicants' Spanish language proficiency if relevant to their application, and obtain information for NHSC site applicants. Comments are due by March 25, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 23, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

OPM, IRS, EBSA, CMS: Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations; Reopening of Comment Period
Notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) providing an additional 14 days for comments on theNovember 3, 2023, proposed rules related provisions of the No Surprises Act regarding the Federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. Among other things, these proposed rules would establish new requirements relating to the disclosure of information that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must include along with the initial payment or notice of denial...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

FCC: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Prevention and Elimination of Digital Discrimination
Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting rules establishing a framework to facilitate equal access to broadband internet access service by preventing digital discrimination of access. These rules address policies and practices that impede equal access to broadband while taking into account issues of technical and economic feasibility that pose challenges to the full achievement of the equal access objective. This final rule is effective March 22, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

FEMA: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describing the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program application process, deadlines, and award selection criteria for fiscal year 2023. The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and fire-related hazards. The application period opens on January 29, 2024. Applications are due by Ma...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 19, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

FNS: Summer Food Service Program; 2024 Reimbursement Rates
Announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service of the annual adjustments to reimbursement rates for the Summer Food Service Program for Children. The rates are effective January 1, 2024. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 19, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes for Medicare Advantage Organizations, etc. on the Federally-Facilitated Exchanges, etc.
Pre-publication notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) aiming to improve the electronic exchange of healthcare data and streamline processes related to prior authorization through new requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations, state Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) programs, state Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) FFS programs, Medicaid managed care plans, CHIP managed care entities, and Qualified Health Plan issuers on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges. This final rule will also add new measures for eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to report...
Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center - January 19, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news