Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), are essential pillars in the U.S. healthcare system, providing primary care services to underserved rural communities. Established under the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, RHCs are required to use a team-based approach to care utilizing physicians and non-physician providers. As of recent data, there are over 5,200 RHCs across 47 states, serving more than seven million people annually.

These clinics are not only crucial for individual health but create a network of care across rural expanses of our country, a necessary safety net given the criticality of our collective health.

RHCs experience many unique challenges such as the lack of staffing, an aging population, insurers terminating local providers from their networks, travel constraints of their patient population, and many more. These challenges also create opportunities where CMS programs can flourish if done correctly.

By ensuring the well-being of rural populations, RHCs help maintain the vitality of communities that are integral to the nation’s agricultural and industrial sectors. Access to healthcare in these areas supports workforce productivity and stability, which are essential components of national resilience.

CrossTx: Enhancing Care Management in Rural Health Clinics

CrossTx is a leading collaborative care management platform designed to support key Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs, focusing on regions such as the Northwestern U.S., including Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon, as well as the Southwest, Plains states, and Midwest.

In frontier areas like Wyoming and Montana and even Alaska, where rural hospitals may be the only healthcare facilities for hundreds of miles, CrossTx offers turnkey, cloud-based solutions for Chronic Care Management (CCM) for Medicare beneficiaries. The platform also extends its services to Medicaid, assisting states that support CCM payments.

Addressing the challenge of labor shortages, CrossTx provides additional value through a virtual nurse network that manages CCM and related programs on behalf of rural health systems, clinics, and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). This approach ensures that patients receive consistent, high-quality care management, even in areas with limited healthcare personnel.

Furthermore, CrossTx collaborates with HIEs in rural health networks to support dynamic Transitional Care Management (TCM) programs across patient catchment areas. Benefits of this collaboration include shared quality improvements, enhanced patient engagement, proactive care, and increased reimbursement through CMS programs.

Comprehensive Care Management Solutions

The CrossTx platform encompasses a range of services, including:

• Chronic Care Management
• Principal Care Management
• Behavioral Health Integration
• Transitional Care Management
• Remote Patient Monitoring

Continuing Education and CCM Training for Rural Communities

Through Hyalite Care Academy, CrossTx offers an online training platform for its virtual team of nurses, ensuring they are proficient in delivering chronic care management. The platform also provides turnkey options, including AI-driven communications, call center support, and compliance assistance, making it an invaluable resource for rural and frontier health systems nationwide.

By leveraging CrossTx’s comprehensive care management solutions, rural health clinics can enhance patient outcomes, streamline operations, and secure financial sustainability through optimized CMS program reimbursements.