Walter Gregg, MA, MPH

Contact information for this researcher is no longer available, but you can still access their previous work.

Completed Projects - (7)
Publications - (16)

Completed Projects - (7)

Critical Access Hospital Access To and Use of Capital
This project will describe the capital needs of CAHs and their experiences in accessing and using capital, based on data from an e-mail survey of State Flex Coordinators, the TASC listserve, telephone contacts with Flex Coordinators in key states, and Medicare Cost Reports.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
Impact of Expansion of Ambulatory Surgery Centers on Rural Hospitals and Communities
This project will examine the extent of freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) expansion into rural communities between 1998 and 2005, the market factors driving that expansion, and the impact of ASCs on the operational and financial viability of rural hospitals located in the same communities.
Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Health services, Healthcare financing
National Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Tracking Project: Analysis of Hospital Conversion and Network Development Strategies
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Networking and collaboration, Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
National Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Tracking Project: Analysis of Network Development Strategies and CAH Performance
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Networking and collaboration, Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
Observation Care Services in Rural Hospitals: Reimbursement and Quality Implications
This project will describe the nature and scope of observation care services provided by rural hospitals and discuss policy relevant issues for Medicare beneficiaries and providers. Study findings will provide the first assessment of rural observation care services and identify policy options to minimize the potential for unintended consequences of Medicare policies related to observation care services.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Medicare, Quality
Role of Rural Hospitals in Community-Centered Systems of Care: Supporting Population Health Improvement for Rural Communities
This project will assess the degree to which rural hospitals engage in activities that facilitate community responsiveness and the provision of community-oriented services, using 1996 to 2004 data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and the Area Resource File.
Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Health services, Hospitals and clinics
Rural Hospitals' Access to Capital
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topic: Hospitals and clinics

Publications - (16)

2014

Successful Health Insurance Outreach, Education, and Enrollment Strategies for Rural Hospitals
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2014
This brief offers best practices for hospitals to use in health insurance outreach/enrollment based on interviews with administrators, staff, and community reps at 11 rural hospitals. It also discusses certified application counselors and the importance of collaborative community partnerships in conducting insurance enrollment outreach/education.
Does Rurality Affect Observation Care Services Use in CAHs for Medicare Beneficiaries?
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2014
This brief describes the use of observation services across levels of rurality by Medicare beneficiaries in critical access hospitals, the demographics and health status of patients receiving these services, and the characteristics of their observation stays.

2011

Will Bundling Work in Rural America? Analysis of the Feasibility and Consequences of Bundled Payments for Rural Health Providers and Patients
Policy Brief
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2011
This report assesses the challenges and consequences for rural providers and patients of implementing bundled payments for acute and post-acute care episodes; explores impacts on care quality under a facility-physician bundled payment system; and describes potential modifications to bundling proposals and steps that could address rural issues.
Will Bundling Work in Rural America? Analysis of the Feasibility and Consequences of Bundled Payments for Rural Health Providers and Patients (Final Report)
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2011
This report and policy brief will (1) assess the financial and quality challenges and potential unintended consequences for rural providers and patients of implementing bundled payments for acute and post-acute care episodes; (2) explore the possible impact on quality of care delivered under a facility-physician bundled payment system; and (3) describe potential modifications to current bundling proposals and additional steps CMS could take that will help address rural-specific issues. Report available by contacting the Center.

2010

The Impact of Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers on Rural Community Hospital Performance, 1997-2006
Policy Brief
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2010
This policy brief uses a retrospective analysis of data on rural hospital, ambulatory surgery center (ASC), and market characteristics for the years 1997 through 2006 to assess the impact of freestanding ASCs on rural hospital performance.
The Impact of Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers on Rural Community Hospital Performance, 1997-2006 (Final Report)
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2010
This policy brief describes the impact of ambulatory surgery centers on rural hospital markets.
Current Practices and State Regulations Regarding Telepharmacy in Rural Hospitals
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2010
Telepharmacy practices in rural hospitals in several states were examined, and relevant policies and state laws and regulations were analyzed, along with issues to be addressed as the use of telepharmacy expands.

2009

Rural Issues Related to Bundled Payments for Acute Care Episodes
Policy Brief
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2009
Bundling Medicare payments has been proposed as a way of encouraging providers to find innovative, cost-reducing strategies to provide better coordinated care. This brief describes challenges to implementing bundled payments in rural settings and discusses potential contracting and reimbursement strategies to address the challenges.

2008

Implementation of Telepharmacy in Rural Hospitals: Potential for Improving Medication Safety (Final Report)
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2008
Findings from this report describe successful telepharmacy activities being implemented in rural hospitals and analyze policy issues related to the implementation of telepharmacy projects in rural hospitals.
Far From the City: Community Orientation and Responsiveness of Rural Hospitals
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2008
This policy brief reports the findings of a national study focused on variation in hospital community orientation and responsiveness across differing rural contexts.

2006

Implementation of Pay-for-Performance in Rural Hospitals: Lessons From the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project
Policy Brief
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2006
This paper provides an overview of findings of a national study to identify institutional, organizational, and environmental factors that influence the experience of rural hospitals in the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration project.
Implementation of Pay-for-Performance in Rural Hospitals: Lessons From the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project (Full Report)
Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2006
This report shares the findings of a national study designed to identify institutional, organizational, and environmental factors that influence the experience of rural hospitals in the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project.

2004

Sustaining Community Health Services Over Time: Models From the Rural Health Outreach Grant Program
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2004
This paper discusses post-grant sustainability of services provided by recipients of Rural Health Outreach Grant Program projects.

2003

Grantee Sustainability in the Rural Health Outreach Grant Program
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2003
This paper describes a study of the post-grant experiences of 99 Rural Health Outreach Grant recipients and focuses on the extent to which programs were able to maintain or expand services after their grants ended and characteristics that helped programs succeed in the post-grant period.
Rural Health Networks: Evolving Organizational Forms and Functions
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2003
This report discusses results of a survey of rural health networks. It includes information about the location, membership, relationships, governance, management, process, and products of rural health networks.

2002

Rural Hospital Access to Capital: Issues and Recommendations
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2002
This paper identifies programs that have assisted/could assist rural hospitals in meeting capital needs; assesses whether rural hospital borrowers have difficulty in meeting capital needs under existing grant, loan, and mortgage insurance programs; and discusses potential options for improving access to capital for rural hospitals.