[From ORHP via NRHA]:

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) is interested in hearing from you on how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation is going in rural communities. Here are some sample question for you to help provide input on:

1.    Are rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics hearing of issues related to utilizing new private insurance or Medicaid expansion coverage from the Marketplace? 

2.    Are patients having trouble getting an appointment with a particular type of doctor? Any issues filling prescriptions? 

3.    Are your former patients without coverage now using their private insurance at your facility? Or are they seeking care elsewhere? 

4.    Are rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics hearing from patients that they aren't sure they are eligible for Medicaid? 

5.    Are patients bringing in eligibility notices that are confusing? 

6.    Is the patient's plan accepting claims for newly eligible individuals or is the provider getting EOBs that the individual is not enrolled in Medicaid or the plan? 

Coverage through the Marketplace or Medicaid Expansion has only just begun, but ORHP wants to stay ahead of issues that emerge.  I encourage you to pass along any observations through the ACA email inbox. 

Additionally, ORHP invites you to participate in their ongoing weekly office hours to share any thoughts, suggestions and concerns you may have.  The information for the call is below: 

ORHP ACA Office Hours

Wednesday, January 8, 2014
3-4 p.m. EST
Call-in Number: (800) 857-3749
Passcode: ORHPACA
Adobe Connect Session: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/orh1/