The Virginia State Office of Rural Health has chosen to offer this at no charge

Every other Tuesday, starting October 7 through December 16, 2025

Benefits:

• Access to six live 90 minute webinars featuring national experts on rural/underserved retention.
• Password protected portal to gain access to the webinar recordings, session materials, & more.
• Ability to ask questions to other Academy attendees and 3RNET members via the Academy listserv.
• A certificate of completion.
• Supporting 3RNET's mission to ensure quality healthcare access to the nation’s rural & undeserved communities.

CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments for Calendar Year 2026  Comment by September 12. This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), issued on July 16, 2025, seeks public comment on payment updates and policy changes to Medicare’s physician fee schedule payments and includes other proposals affecting Medicare beneficiaries. 

CMS Proposes New Mandatory Alternative Payment Model, the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) – Comment by September 12.  As part of the proposed Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has proposed a new mandatory payment model for physicians who treat low back pain and heart failure.  The proposed model has a 5-year period of performance running from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2031. Participation will be mandatory for all physicians treating low back pain or heart failure located in selected metropolitan divisions or Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), which can include areas designated by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy as rural.

Medicare Hospital OPPS: CMS Proposes to Expand Outpatient Services Paid at Physician-Equivalent Rates – Comment by September 15. In 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted a method to control unnecessary increases in the volume of the clinic visit services furnished in excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs), defined as a hospital outpatient department, that is farther than 250 yards from the main campus and billed under the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) prior to November 2, 2015, by paying them a physician-equivalent rate, which is lower than the OPPS rate.  This method is intended to prevent Medicare and beneficiaries from paying significantly more in the excepted off-campus PBD setting than in the physician office setting. 

HHS/CMS Seek Members for New Committee – Nominate by September 22.  Last week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they are forming a new committee of experts to make recommendations about how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace.  The 15 members of the committee will be Representative Members - appointed based on their ability to provide the point of view of an organization, group, or industry – and Special Government Employees, appointed based on years of experience as a technical advisor and able to provide independent expert advice. Individuals who possess a combination of practical and tactical experience with expertise in chronic disease prevention and management, federally administered health care financing, and delivery system reform are encouraged to apply.  To nominate yourself or someone else, send an email to HAC@cms.hhs.gov by September 22. 

Congress looks to open veterans’ use of non-VA facilities - Recently introduced legislation aims to make it easier for rural veterans to seek care at local hospitals and clinics, as many veterans live hours from VA facilities or need health services that aren’t readily available from the VA. 

What Resources are Available?

The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) is a comprehensive online resource designed to support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders working to improve rural health.

Virginia Funding & Opportunities or for information about funding programs that are available nationwide, please browse by type, by topic, or by sponsor.

How to Use this Resource

The Rural Health Research Gateway is an easy-to-navigate website that connects users with the latest research and findings from federally funded Rural Health Research Centers.

To use the site, browse by topic, organization, researcher to find timely reports, policy briefs, and journal articles focused on rural health issues. Start exploring today!

Virginia Primary Care Office

The Virginia Primary Care Office (PCO) is housed in the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity supports the primary care workforce in the state through shortage designations, recruitment and retention activities, and administration of scholarship and loan repayment programs.

Visit the Virginia HPSA dashboard for Virginia Mental Health, Virginia Dental Care and Virginia Primary Care.

New Policy Paper: Accessing Funding for Capital Projects in Rural Healthcare

The National Rural Health Resource Center, in partnership with Stroudwater Capital Partners, has released a new policy paper, Accessing Funding for Capital Projects in Rural Healthcare. The paper provides a historical overview of major capital funding programs and analyzes the persistent challenges that prevent rural healthcare providers from converting available funding into usable capital, undermining sustainability in rural health systems.

Rural Health Clinic Conference
September 23-24, 2025
Kansas City, MO

Critical Access Hospital Conference
September 24-26, 2025
Kansas City, MO

Register for 2025 Uniform Data System Reporting Webinars

Understanding UDS Patient Characteristics Tables
for Quality Improvement
September 23, 2025

In September, we will kick off our annual Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting technical assistance (TA) series. This series will run through January 2026 and will help health centers submit accurate, timely, and complete 2025 UDS reports. Due: February 15, 2026

PCAs and HCCNs: Register for 2025 UDS Reporting Training

Wednesday, September 10

BPHC is hosting a Uniform Data System (UDS) training for Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs). We’ll provide an overview of key resources available to health centers to support timely annual reporting, answer common questions about the UDS, and highlight areas where PCA/HCCN staff can assist health centers. This training is only for PCA/HCCN staff.

Let's Design What's Next, Together

October 2 - 3, 2025

EO Regional Workforce + Child Development Hub 

Join bold thinkers, frontline leaders, and decision-makers from across the region for two transformative days of conversation, collaboration, and co-creation. nexEO is where vision meets action - and where the future of our region begins. This isn't your typical conference. It's hands-on. It's high impact. It's built for real-time solutions.

Healthy Systems, Thriving Communities

October 17, 2025

Westin Richmond

• Early Bird Registration (until September 13)
• Students: $89, Professionals: $199

Explore how bold solutions, innovative policies, and collaborative partnerships can build stronger health systems and create thriving communities across Virginia.

2025 Rural Health Voice Conference

November 19 - 20, 2025
Wintergreen Resort

The Rural Health Voice Conference is an occasion to recognize that health in rural areas is not the sole responsibility of doctors and nurses. Education, economic development, transportation, the built environment, and even social opportunities play a role in the health of individuals and communities. All aspects of the community are providers or barriers to health.

OASH Training- Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis on the Rise-

How to Protect Your Patients

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, is announcing a new continuing medical education/continuing education (CME/CE) activity.

This new accredited course offers practical, evidence-based guidance for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists on screening and management strategies for syphilis and congenital syphilis.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Issues Executive Directives Launching Rural Health Transformation Efforts and Initiative to Lower SNAP Error Rates

On August 13, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued two executive directives, one launching a Rural Health Transformation effort and the other launching an Administration initiative to materially reduce Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rates in local social service agencies.  

“The new funding provided in H.R. 1 for the Rural Health Transformation Program creates a unique and timely opportunity to overhaul the way we deliver healthcare in rural communities. The additional federal funding, which is estimated to be between $500 million and $1 billion for Virginia alone over the next five years, will provide substantial resources to ensure that these communities and those who live there have ready access to healthcare,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.  

CDC Free Mind Campaign for Youth