Providing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients Using Telehealth

June 7, 2023

Providing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients Using Telehealth

Telehealth can help improve access to quality care. Using telehealth appointments allows for a safe, convenient way for LGBTQ+ patients to access health care. Visit this page to learn best practices and access resources for providing quality LGBTQ+ telehealth care.

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Supporting Patients with Remote Patient Monitoring

June 7, 2023

Supporting Patients with Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a growing telehealth practice that allows health care providers to monitor a patient’s health from their own home. Providers can support patients in managing acute and chronic conditions and it can cut down on patients’ travel costs.  Learn more about how to use remote patient monitoring and about billing and reimbursement.

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Become a Pathfinder Hospital with the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator

June 6, 2023

Become a Pathfinder Hospital with the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator

The American Heart Association® has opened applications for rural hospitals, like yours, to join the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator. Participation in the accelerator connects hospitals across the country at no-cost, as pathfinders in quality improvement and patient outcomes.

Join peers, with the support of the American Heart Association, to optimize acute care and align with clinical practice guidelines, using resources built specifically to meet rural health care needs.

What is the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator?

The Situation:

Americans living in rural areas face higher mortality rates than urban residents. Data indicates that rural residents are at a 30% higher risk of stroke, are 40% more likely to develop heart disease, and live an average of three years fewer than their urban counterparts.

Longer, Healthier Lives

In response to the discrepancy between rural and urban mortality, the American Heart Association has launched the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator  with the goal of ensuring that Americans living in rural areas have the best possible chance of survival and the highest quality of life attainable by promoting consistent, timely and appropriate evidence-based care.

Participation in the accelerator provides no-cost access to newly added quality improvement programs, 1-on-1 consultation, education and resources, and collaboration with a community of peers to support rural hospitals in achieving this goal together.

What is Included:

  • No-cost access to any newly added Get with the Guidelines® Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease and/or Stroke programs through December 31, 2025
  • 1:1 rural quality consultation services
  • American Heart Association-facilitated stroke and cardiac rural learning collaboratives
  • Access to clinical experts and thought leaders through conferences and webinars
  • Access to guidelines and statements through American Heart Association Professional Membership
  • Pre-built toolkit of marketing resources to communicate with your community
  • No-cost clinical continuing education courses via American Heart Association’s Lifelong Learning Center
  • Inclusion in the Rural Community Network, an exclusive online networking community built for rural hospitals to share resources and collaborate
  • Optional reporting for disease-specific cardiac and stroke Health Care Certification Programs
  • Get With The Guidelines Rural Recognition Programs for Stroke and Coronary Artery Disease that bring equity to recognition, awarding hospitals on the high quality acute care delivered prior to patient transfer

Request More Information

Learn more about the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator at heart.org/ruralaccelerator

There’s Still Time to Become an NHSC Site

June 6, 2023

There’s Still Time to Become an NHSC Site

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) New Site Application is currently open for eligible health care sites. As an NHSC site, your health care facility can attract more providers, and ensure an adequate and qualified workforce to provide affordable health care services for your community.

NHSC Leads and State/Territorial Primary Care Office (PCO) staff are available to answer questions about eligibility and the application process.

The application is open now through Thursday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

National Service Corps-approved sites, depending on eligibility, may be able to access several different programs, including the following:

All National Health Service Corps-approved sites receive the benefits of online, interactive access to the Health Workforce Connector, an online platform that allows you to:

  • Create, manage, and advertise new job vacancies and training positions
  • Search candidate profiles where you can learn about the qualification factors, experience, and other relevant information that highlight a candidate’s competencies
  • View a comprehensive list of job seekers and students who have expressed interest in a position you advertised on the Health Workforce Connector

Check the NHSC Site Reference Guide appendices for sample sliding fee templates, patient policies, and recruitment and retention plans.

Watch the 2023 NHSC New Site Application Webinar Recording

Create an account or log into the Customer Service Portal

Apply Now

Webinar – Missouri Ending the HIV Epidemic Quarterly Community Forum- June 13 – Re-engagement in HIV Care

June 5, 2023

Webinar – Missouri Ending the HIV Epidemic Quarterly Community Forum- June 13 – Re-engagement in HIV Care

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services invites you to attend the upcoming quarterly Community Engagement Forum focused on Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) in Missouri.

These virtual sessions are designed for YOU!

The Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis wants to hear your thoughts on how to end the HIV epidemic in Missouri and how best to serve people living with HIV.

Registration is open and can be accessed by clicking the event time:

  • Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Noon
  • Tuesday, June 13, 2023 6 p.m

Upcoming Webinars:

  • HIV and Tuberculosis, September 12, 2023, noon and 6 p.m.
  • A year in Review, December 12, 2023, noon and 6 p.m.

Watch for updates on specific event information and RSVP details. To stay up to date on all things Ending the HIV Epidemic in Missouri, visit the dedicated webpage speakuphiv.com/ehe.

Please share this information!

We want to hear from:

  • persons living with HIV
  • community members impacted by HIV
  • local care and prevention planning bodies
  • stakeholders from organizations currently implementing HIV prevention and care programs
  • faith-based organizations
  • community-based organizations
  • local public health departments
  • federally qualified health centers

Learn More About OSHA, Safety, EMTALA and Effective Corporate Compliance Online

June 5, 2023

Learn More About OSHA, Safety, EMTALA and Effective Corporate Compliance Online

This is a 3-month Web-Based Training Program. Work online at your own pace with no scheduled classes to attend.

Online, On-Demand Training to Mitigate Risk

This course is Online, On-Demand with no scheduled classes to attend during your 3-month access to course materials. Typically, professionals complete the course and certify within 6 to 8 weeks, however, you have 3- month access included in your tuition. Access your course information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by logging into the AIHC website. A qualified, certified instructor is available upon request to address questions you may have during your training experience.

This Corporate Compliance Officer course is recommended for:

  • Consultants
  • C-Suite Executives
  • Covered Entities and Business Associates
  • Business Owners
  • Practice Administrators
  • Office Managers
  • Compliance Officers to certify as an Officer of Healthcare Compliance (OHCCSM)

What you will learn:

  • Creating an Effective Compliance Program
  • Eliminate High-Risk Practices
  • Risk associated with fraud, waste & abuse
  • Government action against fraud & abuse
  • Safety, ADA, HIPAA & EMTALA compliance considerations
  • Violations and investigations
  • Government evaluation of corporate compliance programs

Course Tuition Includes:

  • Access to a qualified online instructor if and when you need help
  • Training materials and access to the online training page
  • Self-review questions for each lesson
  • Quizzes and downloadable information: accessed through the online training page
  • AIHC membership for 1 year
  • Mock exam
  • One certification exam attempt, provided the exam is taken within 3 months of completing the course

This program has been approved for 18 continuing education units by the American Institute of Healthcare Compliance for AIHC Certified Professionals. These continuing education units may be applied towards the Core, HIPAA, and Ethics Category CEU Renewal Requirements for ALL AIHC credentials

Cost:

  • $750 for Members
  • $1,250 for Non-Members

Download Information & Register Online

 

OSHA and Reducing Workplace Stress

June 5, 2023

OSHA and Reducing Workplace Stress

While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors, especially for healthcare workers. OSHA’s Workplace Stress Toolkit provides resources to help employers reduce workplace stress and improve the mental health and well-being of workers.

The World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar U.S. employers spend treating common mental health issues, they receive a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Employers can make a difference when it comes to helping their staff manage stress.

Your organization can be a key place for your workforce to find resources, solutions and to offer activities designed to improve mental health and well-being.

Click Here for statistics; how to better understand this problem; and gain access to guidance & tips for employers.

For Healthcare Executives – OSHA on Workplace Violence/Reducing Workplace Stress

June 5, 2023

For Healthcare Executives – OSHA on Workplace Violence/Reducing Workplace Stress

Did you know, nonfatal workplace violence is more widespread in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sectors than in any other industry?

  • In 2019, the rate of nonfatal workplace violence incidents that required the worker to take time off was nearly five times greater in privately operated healthcare and social assistance establishments than in private industry overall.
  • For certain segments within these industries, the rate is much higher.

While workplace violence also occurs in other industries, healthcare and social assistance services have a common set of risk factors related to the unique relationship between the care provider and the patient, client, or their visitors.

An OSHA panel met with small businesses to discuss a possible workplace violence standard for the healthcare and social assistance industries and OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel in March 2023.

Public comments on the panel’s final report and other materials are being accepted until July 3.

Learn more about this topic.

Click Here to download the SBREFA Report.

Highlighting Disparities During National Men’s Health Month

June 5, 2023

Highlighting Disparities During National Men’s Health Month

During June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is recognizing National Men’s Health Month by encouraging men from populations that are underserved to prioritize their health and well-being.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 4 male deaths. Among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries, men had a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (32.3%) than women (22.2%) in 2018. Men from minority populations are often disproportionately affected by heart disease and many of its risk factors, including high blood pressure. According to the CDC, hypertension was more common in Black (58.4%), Asian (51.9%), Hispanic and Latino (50.4%) men from 2015-2018 compared to White men (49.8%). Racial disparities are prevalent not only in heart disease, but also in prostate cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer death among males. In 2019, Black men had the highest rate of new cancer diagnoses, followed by White, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian and Pacific Islander men.

In addition to promoting men’s physical health this month, CMS OMH is highlighting the importance of men’s mental health. Since men are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than women due to stigma, their mental health concerns often go untreated. In 2021, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than the rate among females. Though men make up 50% of the U.S. population, they represent nearly 80% of suicides.

National Men’s Health Month allows CMS OMH an opportunity to highlight racial and ethnic disparities in men’s health as well as the importance of physical and mental well-being for men of all backgrounds. We encourage you to share the below resources with the men in your community to help them take control of their health this month and all year.

Resources:

Warbird Consultants Webinar – CMS OPPS Final Rule

June 2, 2023

Warbird Consultants Webinar – CMS OPPS Final Rule

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) and Warbird Consulting Partners, LLC (John Behn, Operational and Financial Improvement Contractor) are pleased to provide an update on the 2023 CMS OPPS Final Rule. This pre-recorded webinar is a result of the questions received from hospitals across the country focused on the requirements of the 2023 Final Rule.

In this fast-paced discussion, the Warbird Revenue Cycle Optimization team provides updates designed for you and your team to take informed, focused action. Detailed concepts are presented to allow the CEO, CFO, and Revenue Cycle Director to ask better questions of your teams to meet regulatory requirements and exceed patient expectations.

OPPS Final Rule topics covered include:

  • Supervision by Non-Physician Practitioners
  • Telehealth Updates
  • Mental Health Treatment Codes
  • Facet Joint Intervention Updates
  • New Pharmacy Modifier JZ
  • Inpatient Only List Changes
  • Remote Behavioral Health Updates
  • Prolonged Service Codes
  • Pharmaceutical HCPCS Additions
  • Chronic Pain Management

The ORHPC and Warbird Consulting Partners, LLC are pleased to provide this free educational webinar.

Webinar

https://www.warbirdconsulting.com/healthcare/services/revenue-cycle-optimization/

The discussion applies to

  • CEO
  • CFO
  • Finance staff
  • Pharmacy Directors
  • Revenue Cycle Directors
  • Business Office staff

Please navigate to the bottom of the page, where the video version is available.

This link will also provide you access to a series of multi-disciplinary webinars, including sessions on Debt Management Strategies, the No Surprises Act, and the Ask the Experts – A Focus on your Revenue Cycle session.

Warbird Consulting Partners, LLC has published the recorded webinar on the following sites to allow for ease of access:

ORHPC and Warbird Consulting Partners, LLC encourage you to take a moment to listen to all of these presentations to gain insights and strategies that can assist your hospital.  If you have any questions or want a copy of the slide deck, please get in touch with us at MissouriQuestions@warbirdcp.com.