Month: May 2024

CMS Now Accepting Applications for the Medicare Shared Savings Program – Apply by June 17

May 24, 2024

CMS Now Accepting Applications for the Medicare Shared Savings Program – Apply by June 17

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now accepting applications for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

In this program, groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers collaborate, with the goal of offering coordinated high-quality care to people with Medicare.

ACOs inexperienced with risk-based payments and who provide care to rural and underserved beneficiaries may be interested in Advance Investment Payments, and those interested in alternative payments for primary care providers may consider the ACO Primary Care Flex Model. Interested ACOs must first apply to the Shared Savings Program.

Email questions to: SharedSavingsProgram@cms.hhs.gov

To learn more about the application process, register for the upcoming June 5 webinar on Completing Phase 1 of the Application and Avoiding Common Deficiencies.

Learn more about Medicare Shared Savings Program

Learn more about Advance Investment Payments

Learn more about the ACO Primary Care Flex Model

Apply Here

Webinar: Why Housing is a Rural Social Driver of Health – May 29

May 24, 2024

Webinar: Why Housing is a Rural Social Driver of Health – May 29

Rural Health Research Gateway is hosting a webinar at noon CDT May 29 on understanding housing as a social driver of health for rural residents, including research on rural/urban differences in housing cost burden and quality.

Presenters will share recent research findings on rural/urban differences in housing cost burden and quality of housing stock.

The webinar will also include results from a series of key informant interviews on challenges and opportunities to support housing and improve health for rural residents.

After attending, participants will:

  • Be able to describe differences between rural and urban residents in basic housing access and quality measures
  • Be able to identify opportunities to improve housing as a social driver of health through policy and programming

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, May 29, 12:00 p.m. CT

Register Here

NRHA Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

May 24, 2024

NRHA Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

Allevant is hosting a webinar on Swing Bed culture and attention to wellness vital to rural health care.

Learn how transitional care makes available the full resources of the CAH and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, June 13, 1:00 p.m. CT

Register Here

Study: Bridging Health Care Gaps Between Rural and Urban Communities

May 24, 2024

Study: Bridging Health Care Gaps Between Rural and Urban Communities

A recent study found that 65 percent of rural communities lacked access to primary care last year, including pediatricians.

National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Chief Policy Officer, Carrie Cochran-McClain recently spoke with RFD-TV on why there is such a gap in health care, the shortage in rural hospitals and what needs to happen to bridge the gap.

Additionally, experts have expressed concern about mortality rates in rural Arizona, with NRHA CEO Alan Morgan noting the disparity warrants greater attention from state and national leaders.

Learn More

Article: A Disconnect Between Health Care Leaders and Workers

May 24, 2024

Article: A Disconnect Between Health Care Leaders and Workers

A recent survey suggests many workers do not intend to leave health care entirely, but rather break ties from individual employers due to job dissatisfaction.

The survey also cites a gap in perception between what workers find important and what management think they find important.

Additionally,  NRHA Partner Relias discussed how rural health care organizations can leverage a changing nursing workforce.

Read: Becker’s Hospital Review: A disconnect between healthcare leaders

Read: NRHA: Nursing shortage solutions are happening because they must

2024 Rural Resilience Lecture Series – May 28

May 24, 2024

2024 Rural Resilience Lecture Series – May 28

Community Health Engagement and Outreach invites you to the 2024 summer Rural Resilience Lecture Series.

The first lecture in the series will focus on tobacco/nicotine and vaping with guest lecturers Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, Washington University School of Medicine’s Professor Psychiatry and Christy Inskip, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Youth Tobacco Use Prevention Specialist discussing the interconnection between tobacco/nicotine use prevention and resilience.

The goal of the series is to increase capacity for professionals and community-based organizations serving rural or marginalized communities to be responsive to behavioral health and substance misuse needs and provide prevention and resilience education to youth, adults and communities.

Learn More

Questions? Contact Michelle McDowell at mcdowellm@missouri.edu 

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, May 28, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Register Here

Technical Assistance for Hospitals – HRSA Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – Apply by August 15

May 24, 2024

Technical Assistance for Hospitals – HRSA Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project – Apply by August 15

Five small rural hospitals and certified Rural Health Clinics will be selected to receive one year of focused, virtual technical assistance designed to strengthen their organization’s understanding of the key elements of value-based care.

Project focus areas include:

  • Quality
  • Efficiency
  • Patient experience
  • Safety

Eligible applicants include:

  • Small rural hospitals
  • CMS certified rural health clinics

Details on the application process can be found in the 2024-2025 Application Interview and Process Guide.

Selected applicants will be notified in September, and project activities begin in October 2024.

Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project

Health Workforce Resource Showcase: The Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) – May 30

May 20, 2024

Health Workforce Resource Showcase: The Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) – May 30

The Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTP) provides free training, tools and technical assistance to support the implementation and evaluation of Telementoring programs for rural and remote health care workers.

This showcase is intended to introduce attendees to the RTTC and help them consider how the RTTC can support work in addressing public health priorities including maternal health, mental health and substance use, and health workforce.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from the RTTC leadership and partners.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. CT

Register Here

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program – Apply by June 27

May 20, 2024

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program – Apply by June 27

The Health Resources and Administration is accepting applications for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. Eligible individuals who provide direct treatment or recovery support to patients with or in recovery from a substance use disorder at a Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program – approved facility can receive loan repayment assistance through the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Payment Program.

In exchange for loan repayment, you must provide six years of full-time employment that involves direct treatment or recovery support to patients with or in recovery from a substance use disorder at a Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program-approved facility.

Learn More

Apply Here

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

May 20, 2024

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The Health Resource Services and Administration’s (HRSA’s) National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is celebrating its second anniversary! In its first two years, the Hotline has received more than 33,000 calls and texts, serving pregnant and postpartum people and their loved ones.

The Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support, resources and referrals to any pregnant and postpartum mothers facing mental health challenges and their loved ones.

The service is available via phone and text in English or Spanish.

Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) to connect with counselors at the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Click Here to explore National Maternal Mental Health Resources