Author: dianawinder

Call for Nominations: Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee

June 27, 2024

Call for Nominations: Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC).

This independent federal advisory committee consists of eleven members from a wide-range of backgrounds who make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on stakeholder-submitted physician-focused payment models and related topics.

The group is supported by staff from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within HHS.  Last year, the group held meetings in September addressing:

  • Challenges facing patients and providers in rural communities
  • Approaches for incorporating rural providers in provider-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC) model design
  • Provider perspectives on payment issues related to rural providers in PB-TCOC models
  • Incentives for increasing rural providers’ participation in PB-TCOC models,
  • Successful interventions and models for encouraging value-based transformation in rural areas.

Click Here to Submit Nominations by July 10

MedPAC June Report to Congress Highlights Rural Considerations for Medicare Advantage Provider Networks

June 27, 2024

MedPAC June Report to Congress Highlights Rural Considerations for Medicare Advantage Provider Networks

As part of its mandate from Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) reports each June on improvements to Medicare payment systems and issues affecting the Medicare program, including changes to health care delivery and the market for health care services.

This year’s report addresses approaches for:

  • Updating clinician payments
  • Incentivizing participation in alternative payment models
  • Rural considerations for network adequacy standards and prior authorization in Medicare Advantage
  • Assessing health care utilization data sources for Medicare Advantage enrollees
  • Paying for software technologies in Medicare
  • Medicare’s Acute Hospital Care at Home program.

Click Here to Read Full Report

Rural Health Research on Rural Hospital Profitability from 2018 to 2023

June 27, 2024

Rural Health Research on Rural Hospital Profitability from 2018 to 2023

Profitability of rural hospitals in 2020-21 and 2021-22 was influenced by the Public Health Emergency (PHE) funding distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three briefs from the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis center examine hospital profitability from 2018 to 2023, taking PHE funding into account.

Read More

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.