Month: July 2020

COVID-19 Funding Sources Impacting Rural Providers

The Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC), in coordination with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), are pleased to the release of a new resource: The COVID-19 Funding Sources Impacting Rural Providers guide. This funding resource is intended to support rural health care providers, along with their state and local partners, navigate the availability of federal funds to support the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response and recovery efforts.

Seven tables, or matrices, are provided for quick reference at the beginning of this resource. The tables can be used to check eligibility of participation in funding sources by provider types: rural prospective payment system (PPS) and critical access hospitals (CAH), rural health clinics (RHC), federally qualified health centers (FQHC), long-term care (LTC) or skilled nursing facilities (SNF), tribal facilities, and emergency medical services (EMS). The tables also provide an at-a-glance view for each provider type sharing the different types of funds that may be accessed from various funding sources dependent on their participation eligibility. Each funding source is described in its own section of this resource with an executive summary followed by further detail on the use of funds, reporting requirements, hyperlinks to the legislation and detailed information.

BECOME A CERTIFIED RURAL HEALTH CLINIC PROFESSIONAL

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) knows that in order for Rural Health Clinic (RHCs) to thrive and grow, their employees, especially those in a leadership role, need the most up to date information on the federal and state guidelines pertaining to the Rural Health Clinic program. RHCs have distinctly different rules when it comes to operations and management.

This is why NARHC is offering Directors, Clinic Administrators and other RHC leaders a unique, full-spectrum course designed to teach you how to operate a successful RHC.

WHY GET CERTIFIED?

  • Certification gives you a great foundation and broad scope of RHC knowledge
  • Certification ensures you have the basic knowledge & tools to run a successful RHC
  • Certification proves you are the most current and staying abreast of ever changing RHC rules and regulations
  • Certification is a highly marketable advantage which makes you an asset to your employer

COURSE INFORMATION

  • Enrollment: Begins July 31st, 2020. Download the PDF form HERE and return OR register online beginning July 31st. As soon as your payment has been processed, you will receive an email notification with login instructions for the course.
  • Cost: NARHC Member $450, Non-Member $600
    Member Rates:  Save $100-$125 per person on registration by being a NARHC member! Not a current member? Click on the Join Today on the right-hand side of the page to fill out a membership application. Unsure if you’re a member? Call us and we’ll be happy to check your status for you (866-306-1961).
  • Course Format: The final exam for this session is only being offered online. The final exam will be accessible beginning October 28th. You will have the ability to take the final exam October 28th-October 30th.
  • Length of Course: Approximately 15-20 hours. Most people require 4-6 weeks to complete.
  • Content: The CRHCP Course consists of 3 modules: Admin & Finance, Billing & Coding, and Regulatory Compliance & Quality, with short pre-tests throughout each module. To see the Learning Objectives, Click Here.
  • Pre-requisites: None.
  • Final Exam:  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, we are moving our final exam to online only.
  • What if I don’t Pass the Exam: 1 free re-take of the test will be allowed within the first 60 days (on-line).  If you do not pass the exam on the 2nd attempt you will have to re-take the course at full price at the next course offering.

Maintaining Certification
To maintain your certification, you will be required to participate in a Free 1-hour NARHC Sponsored TA Call, attend a NARHC Conference and pay a $75 maintenance fee. For more detailed instructions of when you will need to complete the maintenance requirements, CLICK HERE.

Questions? Contact us at academy@narhc.org or call 866-306-1961 x 2.

CMS NEWS ALERT: CMS Updates Data on COVID-19 Impacts on Medicare Beneficiaries

July 28, 2020

The updated data confirm that the COVID-19 public health emergency is disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. This is due, in part, to the higher rates of chronic health conditions in these populations and issues related to the social determinants of health.

In response to the first Medicare data snapshot and related call to action from CMS Administrator Seema Verma on June 22, the CMS Office of Minority Health hosted three listening sessions with stakeholders who serve and represent racial and ethnic minority Medicare beneficiaries. These sessions provided helpful insight into ways in which CMS can address social risks and other barriers to health care that will help in our efforts to reduce health disparities.

The updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries covers the period from January 1 to June 20, 2020. It is based on Medicare claims and encounter data CMS received by July 17, 2020.

Other key data points:

  • Black beneficiaries continue to be hospitalized at higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups, with 670 hospitalizations per 100,000 beneficiaries.
  • Beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid – who often suffer from multiple chronic conditions and have low incomes – were hospitalized at a rate more than 4.5 times higher than beneficiaries with Medicare only (719 versus 153 per 100,000).
  • Beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) continue to be hospitalized at higher rates than other segments of the Medicare population, with 1,911 hospitalizations per 100,000 beneficiaries, compared with 241 per 100,000 for aged and 226 per 100,000 for disabled.
  • CMS paid $2.8 billion in Medicare fee-for-service claims for COVID-related hospitalizations, or an average of $25,255 per beneficiary.

For more information on the Medicare COVID-19 data, visit: https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-systems/preliminary-medicare-covid-19-data-snapshot

For an FAQ on this data release, visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-covid-19-data-snapshot-faqs.pdf

Podcast Series: Managing from the Middle: Leading Through Change

Through our work with rural hospitals, a need has emerged for education directed towards mid-level managers (MLMs) on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of value-based care and population health, as well as tools and strategies to help MLMs lead others in this time of change. With the support of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, this six-part podcast series was developed by the Small Rural Hospital Transition Project.

Listen Now – Episode 6 is Live!

Episode 6: Change Management Through the Transition to Value

In this final episode of Managing from the Middle: Leading Through Change 6-part podcast series, we will share common themes from Episodes 1-5 and wrap up the series. Joining the conversation are Terry Hill, Rhonda Barcus, and Shannon Studden, all with the National Rural Health Resource Center.

 

Economic Evidence Shows Pharmacy-based Medication Adherence Interventions Are Cost-Effective for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) finds tailored pharmacy-based interventions to increase medication adherence are cost-effective for cardiovascular disease prevention. When used for cardiovascular disease management, these interventions can lead to a favorable return on investment. The systematic review of economic evidence included 38 studies published through May 2019.

For More Information

Webinar: Moving Forward: Strategies to Help Rural & Community Hospitals Face COVID-19 with AI-powered Technologies (a 3-part series)

Date: August 18-20, 2020

Time: 12:00 PM Central

Register

In this upcoming three-part webinar series, Nuance Healthcare CMIO’s and speakers from several rural hospitals across the country will discuss the current state of healthcare in rural communities and best practices to ensure the right AI-powered technologies and resources are in place to remain financially viable and future-proof their revenue. This webinar series will review how to adapt and think creatively about your business during COVID-19 and beyond. Topics will include telehealth, clinical documentation improvement and revenue recovery/future-proofing health systems.

Session 1: Optimizing AI-powered Speech Recognition Solutions to Streamline Telehealth Documentation

Session 2: How to Remain Financially Viable and Improve the Bottom Line Through COVID-19

Session 3: A Hospital’s Perspective: Strategies to Future-Proof your Revenue and Optimize Resources

Webinar: Connect Americans Now – Bridging the digital divide for rural and underserved communities

Date: August 5, 2020

Time: 2:00 PM CT

Register

COVID-19 has highlighted existing disparities in broadband access for rural and underserved communities, more commonly called the “digital divide”.

Connect Americans Now is a coalition of more than 270 organizations and companies representing voices for agriculture, healthcare, education, small business, technology, veterans, rural advocacy and more – committed to completely eliminating the digital divide by supporting a mixed-technology approach that leverages the full potential of every tool in the nation’s toolbox.

This opportunity is open to all rural interested rural stakeholders, but space is limited. Please be sure to register early to secure your spot.

During the session, we will discuss:

  • The impact of the digital divide on every aspect of life for rural Americans and the urgency for action, particularly in the time of COVID-19.
  • The Connect Americans Now coalition and our mission to support technology neutral solutions to completely eliminate the digital divide.
  • The commendable progress that has been made by policymakers to clear regulatory burdens to innovations, maximize spectrum resources, expand access to telehealth solutions, improve data and expand connectivity.
  • The state of play for solutions to bridge the digital divide and actions Congress can take now to tackle this urgent problem.
  • Feedback, questions, insights or anecdotes from National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health members and stakeholders.

Presenter: Jon Conradi, Outreach Director, Connect Americans Now