Background: Since 2010, 130 rural hospitals have closed, leaving only 2,250 rural hospitals remaining in the United States. Of the remaining facilities, outmigration and/or the bypassing of the local hospitals to a larger facility remains problematic and impacts a community’s access to healthcare while affecting the long-term business viability of the city. In December of [...]

Background: Since 2010, 130 rural hospitals have closed, leaving only 2,250 rural hospitals remaining in the United States. Of the remaining facilities, outmigration and/or the bypassing of the local hospitals to a larger facility remains problematic and impacts a community’s access to healthcare while affecting the long-term business viability of the city. In December of [...]

Background: To address bed capacity concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waived the certificate of medical necessity for oxygen claims, allowing for reimbursement for oxygen prescribed for patients upon hospital discharge with COVID-19 respiratory illness. This reimbursement allows providers to discharge patients with COVID-19 respiratory illness still [...]

Background: Consumer satisfaction is largely dependent on convenience, efficiency, and quality, and healthcare is no outlier. Technological advancements, such as the use of artificial intelligence or virtual visit appointments, is emerging as a new form of healthcare provided. While these technologies have existed far before the COVID-19 pandemic, it has expedited the mass population’s acclimation [...]