Medicare Interoperability Deadlines and New Requirements for Hospitals

January 12, 2024

Medicare Interoperability Deadlines and New Requirements for Hospitals

Eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) participating in the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program have until February 29 to complete a self-assessment in the safe use of electronic health records (HER) for the reporting period ending December 31, 2023.

The Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience (SAFER) Guides are recommended practices for hospitals to reduce patient safety risk related to EHRs. For this reporting requirement, participants can attest yes or no to whether they have completed their self-assessment.

New for 2024, eligible hospitals and CAHs will be required to attest ‘yes’ to the self-assessment.

Contact Information

2024 Provider Compensation Survey

January 12, 2024

2024 Provider Compensation Survey

Stroudwater has partnered with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the National Organization for State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for the Second Annual Rural Provider Compensation Survey to analyze rural provider compensation.

Last year’s results illustrated the enormous variability in provider pay across rural organizations and the pressing need for rural healthcare to align its provider pay to the organization’s goals.

This year’s survey will continue to build on the data uncovered by last year’s results. Your participation and input are crucial for this survey and will help rural healthcare organizations make more informed decisions surrounding provider compensation.

Please Note:

  • The survey will close at midnight EST on February 26th
  • The survey should take less than 30 minutes to complete
  • If needed, you can save your progress and resume the survey before it closes.

The survey is completely anonymous, your input is appreciated!

Click Here to Take Survey

RHIhub This Week

January 12, 2024

RHIhub This Week

The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications and events.

Click here to view

“Ask the Experts” Medicare Cost Report Camp – Nashville, TN March 12-13

January 12, 2024

“Ask the Experts” Medicare Cost Report Camp – Nashville, TN March 12-13

The American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC) has partnered with KraftCPAs LLC to bring you this exciting program opportunity to certify as a Cost Report Specialist. Certification is optional after camp.

Benefits of Camp:

  • Network with other professionals
  • Learn the Medicare cost report process
  • Train to become a Certified Cost Report Specialist (optional)

This training camp is designed for novice or seasoned cost report preparers and is recommended for:

  • Chief Financial Officers
  • Accounting staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Reimbursement professionals
  • Employees tasked with gathering information for Medicare cost report

Experienced Cost Reporting Professionals who would like to enhance their skill set by obtaining a professional certification will have the option to certify as a Certified Cost Report Specialist (CCRS) after successful completion of the Medicare Cost Report Training Camp.

Upon registration, you are given ready access to downloadable information such as:

  • COVID and Cost Reporting
  • Overview of DSH
  • FAQs
  • E-Filing requirements
  • Documentation requirements
  • Abbreviations and terms
  • A sample cost report
  • Cost report and compliance video

Click Here to download information packet w/camp syllabus

Cost:

  • AIHC Members – $695
  • Non-members – $825

Register Now

Request for Additions to CY2025 Medicare Telehealth Services List

January 11, 2024

Request for Additions to CY2025 Medicare Telehealth Services List

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting Calendar Year (CY) 2025 requests for the Medicare Telehealth Services List.

Submissions for the current cycle are due by February 10 and should include supporting documentation.

Each request for adding a service to the list of Medicare telehealth services must address the items outlined below:

  • Contact information of the requestor
    • Name
    • Title
    • Organization
    • Email address
    • Phone number
      • Co-signers should include the same
      • Collaborative submissions are encouraged
  • The HCPCS code(s) that describes the service(s) proposed for addition or deletion to the list of Medicare telehealth services
  • A description of the type(s) of medical professional(s) providing the telehealth service at the distant site.
  • A detailed discussion of the reasons the proposed service should be added to the definition of Medicare telehealth
  • An explanation as to why the requested service cannot be billed under the current scope of telehealth services
    • For example, the reason why the HCPCS codes currently on the list of Medicare telehealth services would not be appropriate for billing the service requested
  • Evidence that supports adding the service(s) to the list on either a permanent or provisional basis as explained in the section labeled “CMS Review Criteria”.

Requests are due to the CMS Telehealth Review Process mailbox no later than February 10, to be considered for the current cycle of annual notice and comment rulemaking.

Find out More and submit a Request

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January 11, 2024

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

In recognition of January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, telehealth can increase access to cancer care when used along with in person services.

From practical applications to billing, learn the best practices for using telehealth with cancer patients.

Guides:

Technical Assistance Webinar, January 17 – Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program (EB-TNP)

January 11, 2024

Technical Assistance Webinar, January 17 – Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program (EB-TNP)

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to integrate behavioral health services into primary care settings using telehealth technology (HRSA-24-010).

The purpose of this program is to integrate behavioral health services into primary care settings using telehealth technology through telehealth networks and evaluate the effectiveness of such integration.

The goal for the BHI is to support evidence-based projects that utilize telehealth technologies through telehealth networks in rural and underserved areas. Applicants are encouraged to propose novel ways to achieve equity in access to affordable, high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate telebehavioral care for rural and underserved patients across the U.S.

HRSA will award approximately $8.75 million to up to 25 grantees over a period of five years.

Join the technical assistance webinar on January 17 at 3:30 p.m. EST to learn about this funding opportunity.

View Grant Opportunity

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

January 10, 2024

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is now accepting applications for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP). This program awards Missouri Primary Care Physicians, Dentists and Psychiatrists funds to apply toward their educational debt. Up to $50,000 for a 2-year service obligation.

Applications accepted January 1 – March 1, 2024

For more information, please contact the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC):

Apply Here

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

January 10, 2023

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is now accepting applications for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). This program awards Missouri Primary Care Physicians, Dentists and Psychiatrists funds to apply toward their educational debt. Up to $50,000 for a 2-year service obligation.

For more information, please contact the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC):

  • Phone (573) 751-6441
  • Email DHSS.LoanRepayment@health.mo.gov

Applications accepted from  January 1 – March 1, 2024

Apply Here

2024 CityMatCH Leadership & MCH Epidemiology Conference Now Calling for Abstract, Workshop & Symposia Submissions

January 9, 2024

2024 CityMatCH Leadership & MCH Epidemiology Conference Now Calling for Abstract, Workshop & Symposia Submissions

Conference submissions are now LIVE!

Would you like to share your work with fellow maternal and child health professionals? Would you like to teach a new skill to other MCH leaders?

Join the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the 2024 CityMatCH Leadership & MCH Epidemiology Conference and Reach New Heights by Strengthening MCH Across Generations.

If you would like to present your work to peers in the field, HRSA is accepting submissions for abstracts, workshops, symposia, and facilitated discussions via the online submission system between now and March 4, 2024.

Submissions that are welcome and encouraged:

  • Parent and child health topics, including but not limited to:
    • Data use
    • Equity
    • Policy & advocacy
    • Intersectionality
    • Ongoing MCH issues
    • Community based doula and birth workers

Who should submit a presentation:

  • Professionals from local health departments
  • Health systems
  • Academic institutions
  • Community members
  • Community-based organizations
  • Students

See More about CityMatCH

See More about 2024 CityMatCH Leadership & MCH Epidemiology Conference

Click here for descriptions of each type of submission, timeline for submissions, and sample topics.

If you have any questions please contact citymatchconference@unmc.edu