Month: October 2023

Rural Health Clinics Still Have the Opportunity to Apply

October 16, 2023

Rural Health Clinics Still Have the Opportunity to Apply

As announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in January 2023, clinicians no longer need a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. Clinicians will still be required to register with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications. On June 27, the DEA began to require that registration applicants – both new and renewing – affirm they have completed a new, one-time, eight-hour training. Exceptions for the new training requi8rement are practitioners who are board certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, and those who graduated from a medical, dental, physician assistant, or advanced practice nursing school in the U.S. within five years of June 27, 2023.

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of EACH provider who trained between January 1, 2019 and December 29, 2022 (when Congress eliminated the waiver requirement). Approximately $889,000 in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.

How to Apply

  • RHCs will need a System for Award Management (SAM) account in order to apply
    • For information on how to create a SAM account, visit gov
    • For help on setting up a SAM account, you can watch this helpful video
  • RHCs will also need a HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) account in order to apply
  • Apply through HRSA EHBs

Watch this 11-minute video that explains the changes.

Please send questions to DATA2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov.

Rural Monitor Article – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

October 16, 2023

Rural Monitor Article – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

A new feature article in The Rural Monitor examines the increasing incidence of cyber-attacks on healthcare organizations and the particular vulnerability of rural providers. According to the Cybersecurity Program at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 60 percent of ransomware attacks – whereby bad actors gain entry to an organization’s online system and lock critical files until a ransom is paid – were aimed at healthcare systems in 2020. FORHP-supported research out last year found that rural hospitals are less likely to be attacked, but staff are less equipped to handle them when they do happen, and rural residents who need these services have fewer alternatives for care.

Read Full Article

NRHA Today Weekly Newsletter

October 16, 2023

NRHA Today Weekly Newsletter

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has posted the latest copy of NRHA Today.

In this issue:

  • What rural health providers need from Washington
  • NRHA now accepting Health Equity Conference presentations
  • Legislative error derails millions for struggling hospitals
  • What does CEO Alan Morgan see as the future of rural health?
  • Louisiana hospital leading in midwife care – more is needed
  • University establishes center for health care cybersecurity
  • Is the health care industry selling telemedicine short?
  • Ways for Congress to tackle rural health care shortages
  • How has your rural community changed in your lifetime?
  • JRH publishes new article on rural mammography services
  • Wondering where you can find qualified rural health pros?
  • Throwback: NRHA CEO on top rural health, hospital concerns
  • NRHA webinars on wound care, leadership succession planning
  • What parking lot mobile clinics say about rural health care
  • Rural child hunger summit, primary care ECHO upcoming
  • Participate in NRHA’s latest rural health advocacy campaigns
  • University receives grant to combat rural physician shortage
  • Rural emergency rooms take on health care challenges
  • Study examines health, other factors in happiest states
  • Rural youths who drink heavily more likely to carry a gun

Go to NRHA Today

CDI Online: For the Clinic or Outpatient Medical Office

October 10, 2023

CDI Online: For the Clinic or Outpatient Medical Office

Check out this online course offered by the American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC) for medical office professionals. This course is designed for experienced health information management (HIM) professionals, office nurses (RNs, LPHs), professional coders, chart auditors, and those working in a health plan Special Investigation Units (SIU). Providers and other individuals tasked with the responsibility of improving documentation standards for medical practices are also encouraged to register.

Appropriate documentation is an important part of your practice compliance program.

Learning Objectives

  • Overview of Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
    • Facing challenges of medical office CDI professional
    • Managing conflict
    • Know the language of medicine
  • Basics of compliant documentation
    • The medical record is a legal document
    • Top #1 high risk practice coding issue
    • Signature requirements, acceptable and unacceptable practices
    • Addendums, corrections and deletions to the medical record
  • Intro to E/M documentation improvement
    • Overview of clinical documentation & progress (clinical) notes
    • Achieving compliant E/M documentation to avoid fraud, abuse & waste
    • There is a changing health care environment – increased poverty
    • Documentation and addressing social determinants of health
    • Reimbursement depends on capturing documentation
    • Measuring SDOH program performance
  • Office/Outpatient visit documentation considerations
    • New patient E&M visits
    • Established patient E&M visits
  • Other E/M services and documentation considerations
    • Emergency department
    • Inpatient/Observation as of 2023
    • Discharge services
    • Consultations
  • E/M and documentation of time
    • Concept of time, documentation, and levels of service for E/M as of 2023
    • Know what counts as “time”
    • Split/shared visits & time
    • Prolonger services and time
    • Discharge management
    • Time & critical care visits
  • E/M and documentation of MDM
    • Medical decision-making (MDM) for evaluation & management as of 2023
    • Using MDM Table to select level of service
    • Terms & definitions related to MDM
  • Operative notes & compliant documentation
    • General principles of operative notes documentation
    • Documentation to support appropriate reimbursement
    • Identifying the surgeon, vs the co-surgeon, assistant surgeon, or surgical team
  • Documentation of medical necessity
    • What is medical necessity?
    • General definition of medical necessity for physicians
    • Documentation and coding that demonstrates medical necessity
    • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) sets the standard (typically)
    • Documentation requirements for DME
  • Medications, supplies, and diagnostic tests
    • Do no harm – documenting drugs and biologicals (medications)
    • Supplies
  • HIPAA, confidentiality and you, the clinical documentation professional
    • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191
    • Special consideration for highly protected psychotherapy notes
    • Patient information pertaining to behavioral health or substance abuse
    • Your EHR and preventing cyber-attacks

Option to certify is included in course tuition to earn your Certified Medical Documentation Professional CMDP credential.

Cost:

Non-member tuition – $625

AIHC member price – $375

Course tuition is all-inclusive

  • Access to a qualified online instructor if and when you need help
  • Training materials and access to the online training page
  • Quizzes and downloadable information: accessed through the online training page
  • AIHC membership for one year: available for first-time members only.
  • Mock exam: this mock exam is one exam total that covers all of the certification exam domains
  • One certification exam attempt, provided exam is taken within three months of completing the course

Online Registration

NRHA Now Accepting Health Equity Conference Presentations

October 10, 2023

NRHA Now Accepting Health Equity Conference Presentations

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is now accepting presentation proposals and research posters for the expanded Health Equity Conference next spring. Join NRHA and hundreds of rural health leaders in New Orleans, May 6-7, for one of the only meetings in the nation to focus on rural health equity issues. This conference is designed for those dedicated to bringing quality health care to under-served and often under represented populations, including LGBTQIA+, veteran, and homeless rural residents as well as multiracial and multicultural m embers of rural communities. Stick around for NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit featuring more than 80 innovative, practical, and cost saving sessions.

Learn More

Driving Employee Engagement through Tactical Approach of Leader Rounding

October 10, 2023

Driving Employee Engagement through Tactical Approach of Leader Rounding

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for this educational webinar focused on the strategic use of Leader Rounding to transform rural healthcare. Discover how this practice can drive cultural change and improve overall care quality in rural healthcare settings.

In this informative webinar, participants will:

  • Explore Leader Rounding in Rural Healthcare
  • Understand the significance of Leader Rounding and its impact on rural healthcare.
  • Learn Effective Practices
  • Discover practical strategies to boost employee engagement and leadership development in rural healthcare organizations.
  • Cultural Transformation
  • Gain insights into using Leader Rounding as a tool for fostering cultural change within rural healthcare settings.

This webinar will provide you with real-world examples and actionable strategies to enhance the quality, operational efficiency, and financial performance of your rural healthcare institution.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an enlightening discussion that can empower your rural healthcare organization to excel in the face of unique challenges. Register today and be prepared to lead your organization toward a brighter, more sustainable future in rural healthcare.

When: Tuesday, October 24, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Here

Strategic Succession Planning for Leadership in Today’s Rural Healthcare Landscape

October 10, 2023

Strategic Succession Planning for Leadership in Today’s Rural Healthcare Landscape

Leadership transitions in rural healthcare come with their own set of complexities. With the landscape changing rapidly due to shifts like remote care adoption, new payment models, and changing reimbursement paradigms, the importance of succession planning cannot be overstated. Erika Sundrud, Senior Vice President of Advisory Management at Ovation Healthcare, brings her 20 years of expertise to this session. Rural healthcare executives will gain a comprehensive understanding of succession strategies uniquely tailored for their challenges.

Objectives:

  • Understand the unique dynamics of leadership transitions in rural healthcare.
  • Engage with succession planning techniques specifically designed for rural contexts.
    • Outline clear, actionable steps to fortify their institution’s leadership succession plans for long-term resilience.

When: Tuesday, October 17, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Register Here

The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

October 10, 2023

The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

In this webinar, Sarah Hull RNP, WCC, DWC will present valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing wound care management in Critical Access hospitals.

Participants will explore innovative approaches to chronic wound care, emphasizing the advantages of localized and cost-effective treatments. Sarah Hull will shed light on the benefits of incorporating advanced wound care therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including the significance of local wound care services, the effectiveness of advanced wound care therapies, and actionable steps for transforming your wound care center into a financial success. Attendees can expect to gain practical tips and best practices from Sarah Hull to maximize the fiscal potential of their wound care services.

  • Join this informative session to enhance your wound care practices and contribute to better healthcare outcomes while optimizing financial sustainability.

When: Thursday, October 12, 1:00-2:00 pm CST

Register Here

First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey

October 10, 2023

First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey

This “First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey” webinar, delves into groundbreaking survey results which boasted 4x the number of rural respondents compared to the largest current survey on the topic. This pivotal discussion will be led by Opal Greenway, Principal at Stroudwater Associates. As a seasoned healthcare and finance expert with a rich background in physician compensation, strategic healthcare needs, and regulatory compliance, Opal brings unparalleled insight to the table.

During this webinar, participants will:

  • Discover the findings of this inaugural rural-focused compensation survey.
  • Understand how affiliation with a health system influences compensation.
  • Gain insights into how compensation competitiveness varies across state practice environments, guided by Opal’s extensive experience in analyzing physician compensation structures and advising healthcare entities on market trends and regulations.

When:  Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Register Here

CDC’s State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special Report

October 6, 2023

CDC’s State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special Report

This report examines vaccine confidence and uptake among rural populations in the United States, between 2017 and 2023, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccination. The report also covers differences in vaccine uptake among rural, suburban, and rural populations, including discussions around concerns about vaccination and identifies strategies for successful outreach to rural areas.

Read Report