CMS Issues Proposed Changes In Conditions of Participation Requirements and Payment Provisions for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers

Overview

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today (6-26-08) issued a proposed rule to update certification and participation regulations and payment provisions for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The rule would establish location requirements and exception criteria for RHCs; revise the RHC and FQHC payment methodology; require RHCs to establish a quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program; allow RHCs to contract with RHC non-physician providers under certain circumstances; and propose other changes to update the regulations to clarify existing requirements, provide the opportunity to make program improvements, and comply with statutory requirements.

Click here for the Summary of the New Rule (5 pages).

Click here for the New Rule in detail (103 pages).

Click here for the Medicare Fact Sheet

Click here for the Shortage Area Rule and RHC Rule Update (message from Bill Finerfrock)