| Read this in your browser July 17, 2025 What's New Quest for Rural Experience Scholarships. Students training to become Nurse Practitioners (NPs) or Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs) may apply to receive $3,000 scholarships to support clinical rotations at Rural Health Clinics. The funding is provided by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) Research and Education Foundation to assist with various expenses incurred during rotations, including housing, transportation, and other educational expenses. Recent research shows an increase in the number of NPs and PAs filling a physician shortage, though barriers to rural-specific training remain. Providers Should Be Aware of Medicare Fraud Scheme. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified a fraud scheme targeting Medicare providers and suppliers. Scammers are impersonating CMS and sending phishing requests for medical records or payment of alleged Medicare debts, often via fax or email, falsely claiming to be part of a Medicare audit or debt collection efforts. CMS generally does not initiate audits via fax or email unless a provider requests it, and Medicare overpayment collections are handled through the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). If you receive a suspicious request, don't respond. Work with your Medical Review Contractor to confirm if a medical records request is real or with your MAC to discuss overpayment collections. Funding and Opportunities Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP) Fall 2025 Cohort – August 20. The FORHP-funded National Rural Health Resource Center (the Center) provides tailored assistance to help hospitals improve financial stability, expand needed community services, and keep care close to home. Eligible facilities include Critical Access Hospitals, Prospective Payment System hospitals, Rural Emergency Hospitals, and Indian Health Service hospitals. Last month, the Center announced eight hospitals that were selected for the first cohort. Space is limited, so register now for a webinar for applicants on Wednesday, August 5. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments for Calendar Year 2026. This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), published on July 16, seeks public comment on payment updates and policy changes to Medicare's physician fee schedule payments and includes other proposals affecting Medicare beneficiaries. We will include a longer summary of these policy proposals in next week's newsletter. CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System for Calendar Year 2026. This proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), published on July 17, seeks public comment on payment updates and policy changes to Medicare's hospital outpatient prospective payment system and includes other proposals affecting Medicare providers and beneficiaries. We will include a longer summary of these policy proposals in next week's newsletter. Understanding and Complying with Commingling Rules – RHC Edition – Thursday, July 17 at 2:00 pm Eastern. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) will host the free, FORHP-supported webinar with information for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commingling rules and shared space best practices. This webinar will feature a subject matter expert. Additional time for Q&A will be provided. Advanced registration is required. Approaching Deadlines CMS Request for Information: Hospital Price Transparency Accuracy and Completeness – Comment by July 21 HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program – Deadline Extended to July 22 CMS Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model – July 25 CMS Seeks Input on the Estimated Burden to Meet Emergency Preparedness Requirements – Comment by August 19 Rural Hospital Stabilization Program – Fall 2025 Cohort – August 20 CMS Proposed Rule for CY 2026 End Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System – Comment by August 29 CMS Rate Update for CY 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System – Comment by August 29 CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments – Comment by September 12 CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System – Comment by September 15 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated July 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/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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Physical Therapy Telehealth Research Study for Older Veterans – Ongoing until October 2026 | 
