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May 22, 2025
What's New
Webinar: Medicare Care Management Billing Strategies – Friday, May 30 at 12:00 pm Eastern. The Rural Health Information Hub hosts this free webinar, approximately 75 minutes, to discuss billing codes that can support care coordination for Medicare beneficiaries. Experts will discuss actionable steps for planning and implementation.
Policy Updates
Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov.
CMS Proposes Updates for FY 2026 Hospice Payment Rates – Comment by June 10. This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the deadline for comments on their proposed rule for Medicare Hospice Payment Rates from June 30 to June 10. See the CMS Fact Sheet for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update Proposed Rule for a summary. When commenting, refer to file code CMS-1835-P.
CMS Proposes Updates for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System – Comment by June 10. This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the deadline for comments on their proposed rule for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Payment Rates from June 30 to June 10. See the CMS Fact Sheet for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System for a summary. When commenting, refer to file code CMS 1827-P.
CMS Requests Public Feedback on the Health Tech Ecosystem – Comment by June 16. On May 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information to inform their effort to modernize the Digital Health Ecosystem for Medicare beneficiaries. The request seeks feedback from patients, caregivers, providers, payers, technology developers, and other stakeholders. Specifically, CMS is seeking feedback from rural providers on the uptake of digital health apps.
Draft Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program – Comment by June 26. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an opportunity to comment on CMS’ draft guidance for the third cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This draft includes policies to:
- improve the transparency of the Negotiation Program,
- prioritize for negotiation the prescription drugs that have the highest costs for Medicare and its beneficiaries, and
- minimize any negative impacts of the negotiated maximum fair price (MFP) on pharmaceutical innovation within the United States.
CMS plans to announce up to 15 additional drugs covered under Part D or payable under Part B for potential negotiation in the third cycle of negotiations by February 1, 2026.
Approaching Deadlines
CMS Proposes Updates for FY 2026 Hospice Payment Rates – Comment by June 10
CMS Proposes Updates to FY 2026 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System – Comment by June 10
CMS Proposes Updates to FY 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System – Comment by June 10
CMS Proposes Updates to FY 2026 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System – Comment by June 10
CMS Proposes Updates for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System – Comment by June 10
CMS Seeks Input to Streamline Medicare Regulations – Comment by June 10
CMS Requests Public Feedback on the Health Tech Ecosystem – Comment by June 16
Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corps – June 17
NOSORH Rural Health Capital Resources Training Series – Live sessions through June 18
Draft Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program – Comment by June 26
USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grants – June 26
USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loan & Grants Programs – June 30
USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – June 30
Ongoing Opportunities - Updated May 2025
Bold indicates HRSA- and/or FORHP-funded opportunities.
Administration for Children & Families: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Technical Assistance for Rural EMS Communications
Delta Regional Authority: Community Infrastructure Fund
Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program
General Services Administration: Federal Surplus Property Available for Public Use
HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications
HRSA National Health Service Corps/SAMHSA: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training
HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program
Indian Health Service SOAR Health Training on Human Trafficking
Indian Health Service/Department of Defense: Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM)
Licensure Portability: the Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project
National Rural Health Resource Center: Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
ProviderBridge: Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth
Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development
Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business
Small Business Administration Rural Initiative Pilot Program
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency/: Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program
USDA: National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program
USDA: Summer Food Service Program
USDA/National Rural Health Association: Rural Hospital Technical Assistance
USDA Rural Development: America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative
USDA Rural Development: Circuit Rider Program – Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems
USDA Rural Development: Community Facilities Program
USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loans & Grants – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter
USDA Rural Development: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
USDA Rural Development: Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages
USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter
USDA Rural Development: Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees
USDA Rural Development: Rural Business Investment Program
USDA Rural Development: Rural Energy Savings Program
USDA Rural Development: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects)
USDA Rural Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Transportation: Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center: Recruiting Veterans for Telehealth Study – Ongoing until October 2026
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