Author: dianawinder

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

July 25, 2024

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

Medicare patients are more computer savvy and informed. Medicare continues to provide ways for patients to gain information to make informed decisions about where to obtain their care.

This month the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Medicare.gov compare tool pages for physicians and clinicians.

The following new procedures were added to the 12 new procedures released back in January 2024:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Arthroscopy – upper extremity
  • Arthroscopy – lower extremity
  • Varicose vein ablation
  • Laminectomy/laminotomy
  • Lower limb revascularization

Click Here for the CMS Care Compare – Doctors and Clinicans Initiative page.

Click Here to view the “Find & Compare Providers Near You” page for patients which provides comparisons of physicians, hospitals, nursing home, etc.

Free Recorded Webinar Series – Conducting Investigations

July 25, 2024

Free Recorded Webinar Series – Conducting Investigations

All healthcare organizations should have the ability to look into all complaints.

Not all complaints warrant a full investigation, but when an investigation is needed, even the most experienced run into roadblocks.

The American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC) has been sponsoring free webinars featuring Meric Craig Bloch, J.D., attorney, author and investigator.

A recording of recent webinars can be found in the new AIHC YouTube playlist entitled “Conducting Internal Investigations as a Forensic Auditor!”

Click Here to View the Recording

Hospital Services Research Brief

July 25, 2024

Hospital Services Research Brief

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and screening patients for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) is conducted by most hospitals and medical centers in the United States.

The article published by Health Services Research states that many hospitals do have programs or strategies to address HRSN and/or SDOH, but it remains unclear how these relate to use of data captured through the screening process.

Collection of social needs data may help inform the development of programs to strategies to address HRSN and SDOH. This, in turn, can enable providers to screen for these needs and use the data in the near term for care delivery and in the long term to address community and population needs.

Read the Brief

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

July 25, 2024

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

The National Rural Health Administration has announced the launch of NRHASC.com, a new platform designed to provide rural health care executives with essential, rural proven resources for specific needs.

Developed by rural health care experts, this resource hub is focused exclusively on helping busy rural health care executives find solutions to the unique challenges they face.

This platform offers comprehensive coverage from policy updates to practical tools all in one easy-to-navigate site.

Click Here to go to NRHASC.com

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

July 25, 2024

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is soliciting public comment on the proposed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 State Plan, which covers the period of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.

The State Plan describes the state agency’s objectives and procedures for all aspects of WIC program administration for the 2025 FFY.

Comment Submission:

All public comments are welcome and should be directed to:

  • WICinfo@health.mo.gov, or
  • Fax to 573 526-1470, or
  • Mail to Angie Oesterly
    • WIC and Nutrition Services
    • PO Box 570
    • 930 Wildwood Dr.
    • Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

All comments should be submitted by August 12, 2024. Comments will be included in the final copy of the plan, which must be submitted to the United State Department of Agriculture by August 15, 2024.

Click Here to access the State Plan

NRHA Searching for 2025 Atlanta Annual Conference Speakers

July 25, 2024

NRHA Searching for 2025 Atlanta Annual Conference Speakers

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2025 Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit, the nation’s premier events celebrating rural health.

Each year, more than 200 individuals present over 85 concurrent educational sessions, 20 research papers, and up to 100 research and educational posters at these annual events, constituting the nation’s largest, most exclusive rural health conference.

Any person with an interest in rural health is invited to submit session proposals by Aug. 15 or original research by Jan. 9 for presentation during the 2025 conference.

Learn More or Submit a proposal

Free Workshop: Suicide Prevention for Rural Health Providers

July 25, 2024

Free Workshop: Suicide Prevention for Rural Health Providers

Rural service providers face unique challenges regarding the availability and access to mental health services and resources – including for youth and Indigenous Tribal communities.

To address these challenges, with funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence has partnered with SafeSide Prevention to provide a workshop on suicide prevention training for service providers in rural communities at no cost to you!

Register to unlock your membership with SafeSide Prevention, which includes the following:

  • Online Community of Practice
    • You connect with SafeSide faculty and members worldwide who are passionate about:
      • suicide prevention
      • sharing resources
      • asking questions
      • and growing together
  • Live Office Hours
    • Join informal, monthly video chats hosted by SafeSide staff where you can ask questions and share experiences with others worldwide.
  • Tools and Refreshers
    • Ongoing education videos, resources and tools are at your fingertips to help you apply suicide prevention best practices in your work.

No matter your role, you will leave this workshop with actionable skills and a clear framework to help you feel more confident as you work to prevent suicide for those you serve.

Cost: Free

Choose a session to join

  • August 1, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET
  • August 15, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Baby and Me Tobacco Free, August 1

July 25, 2024

Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Baby and Me Tobacco Free, August 1

Join this informative Lunch and Learn webinar on August 1 to learn about an incredible maternal health program: Baby and Me Tobacco Free!

Topics to be covered:

  • Where do we stand with current tobacco use in Missouri
  • Overview of the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program
  • Highlight Missouri’s in-person locations
  • Provide instructions on how to refer to the program

Learn More about the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, August 1, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to register for the webinar

Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Cancer Care in Rural Missouri, July 26

July 25, 2024

Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Cancer Care in Rural Missouri, July 26

This session of the Missouri Rural Health Association’s (MRHA’s) ongoing educational lunch and learn webinar series will provide a comprehensive overview of the vital programs and services offered by the American Cancer Society.

This webinar is specifically designed for rural health providers and advocates, offering valuable insights and resources to enhance cancer care in rural communities.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, July 26, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

CDC Rural Public Health Communications Fellowship

July 25, 2024

CDC Rural Public Health Communications Fellowship

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a training opportunity that will support health marketing, communication activities, and health communication research in rural health.

This training opportunity will provide learning experiences to support health marketing and communication activities within ORH and health communication research in a rural health priority area that may include considerations for tribal populations.

This research will involve conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, and data analysis using best practices for qualitative methods.

The fellowship will take place in the CDC Office of Rural Health in Atlanta, Georgia beginning in September.

Qualified candidates will have received a master’s degree in public health, health communication, behavioral health, social sciences, or a related field within the past 5 years.

Learn More and Apply