Month: June 2024

CMS Announces First Rural Hackathon

June 27, 2024

CMS Announces First Rural Hackathon

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced on June 22 that it will conduct the 2024 Rural Health Hackathon, a three-day series of in-person, collaborative sessions designed to generate and construct creative and actionable ideas to address rural health challenges.

The 2024 Hackathon builds on CMS’ extensive outreach to rural communities through site visits and listening sessions to better understand rural health care issues.

Through these solution-oriented events, the CMS Innovation Center will bring together:

  • Rural health community care providers,
  • Community organizations,
  • Industry and tech entrepreneurs,
  • Funders,
  • Policy experts, and beneficiaries to leverage the wisdom and experience of the crowd.

Hackathon attendees will generate new ideas to address some of the top challenges impacting health care in rural health settings and drive action to improve clinical outcomes, increase access and better care experience for both patients and providers in rural communities.

How to Participate:

  • In-Person at one of the following locations:
    • Bozeman, Montana: August 14
    • Dallas, Texas: August 22
    • Wilson, North Carolina: August 29
      • Individuals interested in attending an in-person session should complete the five-minute Interest Survey by 11:59 p.m. eastern on July 12.
  • Virtual Idea Submission
    • Organizations and individuals that cannot attend the in-person events are invited to submit concepts during a public submission period in August 2024.
    • The public submission option will seek additional ideas to address the same challenge areas and questions for the in-person events
    • More information about the virtual idea submission will be posted by CMS, at a later date.

Click Here to learn More

Click Here to complete Interest Survey

New Funding Opportunity – Delta Region Maternal Care Coordination Program – HRSA-24-120

June 26, 2024

New Funding Opportunity – Delta Region Maternal Care Coordination Program – HRSA-24-120

The Health Resources and Services Administration has announced new funding available for the Delta Region Maternal Care Coordination Program, HRSA-24-120.

The focus of this funding opportunity is on strengthening maternal care and reducing disparities in the Delta Region, by expanding access and coordination of health care services before, during, and after pregnancy.

The funding will work to address unacceptable rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the regions.

Up to four cooperative agreements will be awarded to recipients in the Delta region, totaling approximately $7 million over four years (September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2028).

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will hold a technical assistance webinar on Tuesday July 9th from 3 – 4 p.m. ET.

Review the funding opportunity to learn more about eligibility & apply

For questions contact: Nikita Patel, DeltaMCCProgram@hrsa.gov, 301 594-3288

RHIhub This Week – The Rural Monitor

June 26, 2024

RHIhub This Week – The Rural Monitor

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

Click Here to read the Rural Monitor

Webinar: What is ToRCH? (Transformation of Rural Community Health), July 18

June 26, 2024

Webinar: What is ToRCH? (Transformation of Rural Community Health), July 18

Join the Missouri Rural Health Association for a FREE Lunch & Learn webinar to learn about the ToRCH program and explore how this innovative program is transforming healthcare in rural Missouri.

The ToRCH program is a groundbreaking initiative that empowers rural communities to address healthcare-related social needs among their Medicaid populations, with a laser focus on driving better health outcomes.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, July 18, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

Webinar: MRHA Connect, July 9th

June 26, 2024

Webinar: MRHA Connect, July 9th

Join this webinar to meet the architect and manager of MRHA Connect.

You’ll learn every tool you’ll need to be a top contributor AND be entered into the drawing to win.

MRHA Connect is a groundbreaking, community-driven online platform is tailored for rural Missouri healthcare professionals, advocates, academics, subject matter experts, and community leaders.

MRHA Connect members are empowered to join communities aligned with their interests and regions, creating a space for targeted discussions, resource sharing, and strategic collaboration.

Cost:  Free

When: Tuesday, July 9, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

Using Kaspersky Antivirus Software? It is Now Banned in the U.S.

June 26, 2024

Using Kaspersky Antivirus Software? It is Now Banned in the U.S.

Why is Kaspersky Getting Banned?

Kaspersky is getting banned in the US after the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) conducted a review of the company’s cybersecurity and anti-virus transactions.

  • BIS states that Russia is a foreign adversary that poses ongoing threats to the United States.
  • According to the agency, Kaspersky is under the jurisdiction and control of the Russian Government
    • Allowing Kaspersky to access to sensitive information from US customers.
  • BIS notes that the company poses “unacceptable risks to the United States’ national security and the security and safety of its people.”
    • The main concerns are:
      • Kaspersky’s connections to Russia
      • Potential security weaknesses in Kaspersky’s products
      • A chance that Russia could exploit these weaknesses.

What Does This Mean to Current Kaspersky Users?

  • The Kaspersky ban essentially means you will not be able to purchase its software products
    • If you already have one, it will stop working soon.
    • Starting July 20, Kaspersky and any of its partners will not be able to sell or license cybersecurity or antivirus software in the US.
    • Existing Kaspersky customers have until September 29 to find an alternative
      • The company will no longer be able to provide antivirus signature updates after this date.

Kaspersky’s ban in the U.S. shouldn’t come as a surprise. The firm has been on the government’s radar for quite some time.

In 2017, the US banned the use of the Moscow-based cyber security firm’s products across all government agencies.

Read more from the Bureau of Industry & Security website.

Data Breach – U.S. Bans Antivirus Software

June 26, 2024

Data Breach – U.S. Bans Antivirus Software

Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS), a debt collection enterprise, has been impacted by a massive data breach that affects millions of Americans. FBCS is a debt collection agency that specializes in recovering charged-off consumer and commercial debts, such as car loans, healthcare bills, utility bills, student loans, and credit cards.

The initial tally of those affected from this cyber incident was around 1.9 million, which the company raised to 3 million in June 2024. The data breach leaked a treasure trove of consumer data, including full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and driver’s license number or ID card. The company has informed affected individuals as well as concerned authorities.

If your organization transfers collection accounts to this or any other agency, the collection agency becomes a business associate according to HIPAA.

Read more about the cyber incident on the FBCS website.

Call for Nominations

June 26, 2024

Call for Nominations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a call for nominations for a CMS Technical Expert Panel (TEP) for the expansion of both the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure (MMSM) and the Birthing-Friendly Hospital Designation.

Ideal TEP nominees include:

  • Clinical experts
  • Obstetrical/gynecologic department chairs
  • Hospital administrators
  • Perinatal quality improvement experts
  • Health equity and birth justice experts
  • Statistical and performance measurement experts
  • Consumer/patient/family caregiver experts

Nominations accepted until July 12.

Learn More

CMS Preparing to Close Program that Addressed Medicare Funding Issues

June 26, 2024

CMS Preparing to Close Program that Addressed Medicare Funding Issues

On June 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payments (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will conclude on July 12, 2024.

  • CHOPD accelerated payments have been issued to over 4,200 Part A providers, such as hospitals, totaling more than $2.555 billion.
  • CMS also issued 4,722 CHOPD advance payments, totaling more that $717.18 million, to Part B suppliers, including doctors, non-physician practitioners, and durable medical equipment suppliers.
  • Providers of services and suppliers are now successfully billing Medicare
    • to date, CMS has already recovered over 96% of the CHOPD payments.
  • After July 12, 2024, CMS will no longer accept new applications for CHOPD accelerated or advance payments.

CMS will continue to monitor for other effects of the cyberattack on Medicare providers of services and suppliers and will continue to engage industry partners to address any remaining issues or concerns.

CMS encourages all providers of services and suppliers, technology vendors, and other members of the health care ecosystem to double down on cybersecurity, with urgency.

Please visit the HPH Cyber Performance Goals website at https://hphcyber.hhs.gov/performance-goals.html for more details on steps to stay protected.