| Read this in your browser 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 Draft Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program – Comment by June 26. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an opportunity to comment on CMS' draft guidance for the third cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.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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