Announcements from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

February 24, 2017

Rural Mortality and Preventable Deaths – Insights from the CDC MMWR Rural Health Series

Wednesday March 1, 2017 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm ET.

To Register: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/webinars/rural-mortality-and-preventable-deaths

Rural Health Information Hub (RHIHub), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, will be hosting a webinar to highlight the new CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Rural Health Series.  The first report released by CDC in the rural health series demonstrates that Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from five leading causes than their urban counterparts are.

First, we will have the opportunity to hear from two of CDC’s lead authors, Dr. Moy and Dr. Garcia, who will discuss the recently reported mortality data from a national perspective and the rural-urban disparities.  They will also discuss the contributing factors associated with the leading causes of death and ways that these potentially excess deaths may be prevented.

Second, we will have the opportunity to hear from a long-standing FORHP grantee, Dr. McKnight, who will share the story of the Fit for Life program, implemented in rural Ohio over a decade ago.  Fit for Life has been successful in improving the health outcomes of program participants by addressing a number of the risk factors contributing to the leading causes of death as cited by CDC.

We look forward to having you all join us on the webinar to engage in this important discussion!  To register for this event, please visit: .

Featured Speakers:

Tom Morris, MPA, Director of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (moderator)

Ernest Moy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer in the Office of Analysis and Epidemiology at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

Macarena Garcia, DrPH, Senior Health Scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Office of the Director

Timothy KcKnight, MD, Board Certified Family Practitioner and Founder of Trinity Hospital Twin City’s Fit for Life Program

Webinar Reminder – CAHs and RACs – Compliant Coding and Billing – March 16

February 24, 2017

CAHs and RHCs: Compliant Coding and Billing

Rural health clinics and critical access hospitals are both special types of Medicare providers. RHCs recently have started using CPT/HCPCS codes for their claims, which, has generated a number of questions surrounding the concept of a visit. For Medicare, RHCs are paid through an all-inclusive rate that is driven by the charges made for a visit.

CAHs also have a special mechanism for gaining additional reimbursement for outpatient physician services, known as the Method II billing process. For CAHs that have provider-based clinics or otherwise have physicians providing outpatient services, there is the possibility of gaining increased reimbursement. Of course, for both RHCs and CAHs, there are a host of compliance concerns surrounding proper coding and billing. This workshop addresses both the RHC use of CPT/HCPCS codes and Method II billing for CAHs. Learn more.

Thursday, March 16, 2017
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register Now – on or before Monday, March 13

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

February 24, 2017

What’s New

Technical Assistance to Help Small and Rural Practices Succeed in the Quality Payment ProgramLate last year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the details of the Quality Payment Program.  On February 17th, CMS announced the award of up to $100 million to help clinicians in individual or small group practices of 15 clinicians or fewer succeed in the Quality Payment Program.  CMS awarded approximately $20 million to 11 organizations for the first year of a five-year technical assistance program that will provide customized, on-the-ground training and education to eligible clinicians and practices.  CMS intends to invest up to an additional $80 million over the remaining four years.

Rural practices are among those that will receive priority for this technical assistance.  The training and education resources will be available immediately, nationwide, and will be provided at no cost to eligible clinicians and practices.  This technical assistance can help eligible clinicians or groups prepare to report performance data to potentially earn positive payment adjustments (and avoid negative payment adjustments).

CMS also launched a new telephone helpline for clinicians seeking assistance with the Quality Payment Program.  Clinicians may contact the Quality Payment Program by emailing qpp@cms.hhs.govFor more information on the Quality Payment Program, please visit: qpp.cms.gov.

Continue reading “Federal Office of Rural Health Policy”

Missouri Rural Survey 2017

February 24, 2017

Have you noticed how much of the reporting on rural America focuses on the “decline” of rural America?  While we would all agree that some rural areas are struggling, we also know that many are doing just fine, but that doesn’t often get reported or recognized.  Much of the data that is collected and reported about rural communities is quantitative (numbers) but what’s missing is the voice of rural residents.  As my colleagues and I work with Missouri’s rural communities to identify opportunities and develop strategies, we work with people who are deeply committed to their communities and way of life. The truth is, most of us in rural Missouri want to secure a strong future for our communities and we have the drive and determination to make it happen, but we must begin to tell our stories.

To better understand the assets and opportunities, as well as issues and recommendations, for rural communities, we need your help.

The Missouri Rural Development Partners, Missouri’s federally authorized rural development council, is launching the first annual Missouri Rural Survey to hear from rural citizens, business owners and leaders about the key issues, opportunities and challenges facing rural Missouri communities.  The survey is done in partnership with University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Office of Rural Development and is supported by many statewide organizations.

Continue reading “Missouri Rural Survey 2017”

CMS awards approximately $100 million to help small practices succeed in the Quality Payment Program

February 24, 2017

CMS Regional Offices

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Room 352-G
200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201

CMS NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2017
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries

CMS awards approximately $100 million to help small practices succeed in the Quality Payment Program New helpline launched to provide additional support.

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded approximately $20 million to 11 organizations for the first year of a five-year program to provide on-the-ground training and education about the Quality Payment Program for clinicians in individual or small group practices of 15 clinicians or fewer. CMS intends to invest up to an additional $80 million over the remaining four years.

Continue reading “CMS awards approximately $100 million to help small practices succeed in the Quality Payment Program”