This brief summarizes key challenges faced by the rural ambulatory safety net in delivering primary care and behavioral health services since COVID-19 and the policy changes that have been implemented in response to those challenges. It also offers state-level policy recommendations to improve rural-specific primary care and behavioral health care through sustaining and supporting the movement towards telehealth, addressing social needs, and advancing value-based payment and care.
The MacColl Center at the KPWHRI compiled best practices and key resources for addressing patients’ social needs within health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This 50-state review of value-based care in America summarizes state-by-state efforts to explore and implement value-based care and payment models, based on publicly available information compiled in 2017 and updated in February 2019.
Advancing payment and delivery reform in the ambulatory safety net in rural areas presents unique challenges and will require solutions specific to this context, for both primary care and behavioral health.