Author: dianawinder

Upcoming Webinar: HHS Finalizes Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule – Impacts for RHCs, July 15

June 24, 2024

Upcoming Webinar: HHS Finalizes Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule – Impacts for RHCs, July 15

Join this webinar, hosted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), for information on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid final rule regarding section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities and the RHC impacts.

Over the next year, several requirements established in this rule will go into effect for RHCs, including:

  • Requirement to post a notice of nondiscrimination.
  • Requirements to post notice of availability of translation and auxiliary aid services in top 15 foreign languages.
  • Requirement to establish and train employees on policies and procedures related to nondiscrimination.

NARHC offers an in-depth analysis of this rule and the need to knows for RHCs in becoming compliant before each effective date during this webinar.

Additional time for Q&A will be provided. Advanced registration is required.

Cost: Free

When: Monday, July 15, 2:00 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

CMS Seeks Feedback on Two Agency Information Collection Activities – Comment by July 11

June 24, 2024

CMS Seeks Feedback on Two Agency Information Collection Activities – Comment by July 11

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks comments from the public on the following information collections:

  • Identification of Extension Units of Medicare Approved Outpatient Physical Therapy/Outpatient Speech Pathology (OPT/OSP) Providers and Supporting Regulations, and
  • Conditions for Certification for Rural Health Clinics and Conditions for Coverage for Federally Qualified Health Centers in 42 CFR 491.

To Submit Comments/Recommendations:

  • Comments on the collection of information must by received by the OMB desk officer by Jully 11, 2024
  • Written comments and recommendations should be sent to: reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain
    • You will find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review – Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.
    • For further information contact: William Parham at (410) 786-4669

See Notice of Comment Request

New Information on Federal Financing of Medicaid IT for Behavioral Health

June 24, 2024

New Information on Federal Financing of Medicaid IT for Behavioral Health

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

The guidance describes opportunities for state Medicaid agencies to receive enhanced federal matching rates for certain health Information Technology aimed at increasing access to behavioral health treatment and improving coordination of care for co-occurring physical health conditions, such as telehealth and electronic connections to Health Information Exchanges.

It also reminds state Medicaid agencies how to apply for enhanced Medicaid matching rates for these types of expenditures.  Medicaid is an important source of insurance in rural areas, and leveraging federal dollars can help rural communities expand their capacity to deliver behavioral health services.

Click Here to Read CMS Informational Bulletin

Rural Health Research: Understanding the Rise of Ransomware Attacks on Rural Hospitals

June 24, 2024

Rural Health Research: Understanding the Rise of Ransomware Attacks on Rural Hospitals

Among the key findings in this brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center:

  • Rural hospitals experienced an increasing number of ransomware attacks from 2016 to 2021.
  • From 2016 to 2021, 43 rural hospitals across 22 states experienced a ransomware attack.
  • Ransomware attacks afflicted all types of rural hospitals, including:
  • Critical Access Hospitals (N=9)
  • Sole Community Hospitals (N=13)
  • Rural Referral Centers (N=3)
  • Hospitals paid under Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System (N=18).

Eighty-four percent of ransomware attacks on rural hospitals resulted in operational disruptions. Common disruptions included electronic system downtime (81%), delays or cancellations in scheduled care (42%), and ambulance diversion (33%). Operational disruptions were similar in rural and urban hospital settings.

Click Here to Read Research Alert

Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth

June 24, 2024

Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth

ProviderBridge.org was created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the Federation of State Medical Boards and HRSA’s Office for Advancement of Telehealth.

The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities.

Go to ProviderBridge.org

New Toolkit from RHIhub: Chronic Disease Management

June 24, 2024

New Toolkit from RHIhub: Chronic Disease Management

This toolkit was developed in collaboration with NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis as part of a growing collection of resources available at the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub).

It compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States and covers several common chronic conditions including:

  • Diabetes
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Heart disease
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Chronic pain

Click Here to access Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

New MBQIP Resources Available

June 24, 2024

New MBQIP Resources Available

Data Submission Guides for the measures Screening for Social Drivers of Health, Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health, and Hospital Commitment to Health Equity are now available on the RQITA website. Data submission guides for all MBQIP core measures will be available in the future.

These guides include tips for hospitals to get started with reporting new measures, measure details, linked trainings and step-by-step data submission steps for each of the measures.

Data Submission Guide for Screening for Social Drivers of Health Version 1.0 Released June 2024

Data Submission Guide for Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health Version 1.0 Released June 2024

Data Submission Guide for Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Version 1.0 Released June 2024

MBQIP Upcoming Deadlines and Reporting Reminders

June 24, 2024

MBQIP Upcoming Deadlines and Reporting Reminders

Please see the schedule below for upcoming MBQIP deadlines and reporting:

  • July 3, 2024 – HCAHPS Q1 2024 encounters (1/1/24-3/31/24)
    • Submission is through the HQR Secure Portal-Vendor
  • July 31, 2024 – EDTC Q2 2024 encounters (4/1/24-6/30/24)
  • August 1, 2024 – OP-18 Q4 encounters (1/1/24-3/31/24)
    • Submission is through the HQR Secure Portal-Outpatient
    • CART users will use CART version 1.24.0
  • September 30, 2024 – Safe Use of Opioids – Concurrent Prescribing measure for CY 2023 encounters (1/1/23 – 12/31/23)
    • This measure is not currently being submitted for MBQIP but is available for reporting to CMS

MBQIP Data Submission deadlines can be found in the Technical Assistance & Services Center (TASC) MBQIP Toolkit

New Funding Opportunity: Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Workforce Expansion Program (WEP) HRSA-24-098

June 21, 2024

New Funding Opportunity: Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Workforce Expansion Program (WEP) HRSA-24-098

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to increase the nursing workforce in rural (non-metro) and underserved areas to address the critical shortage of nurses, specifically in acute and long-term care settings.

The Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Workforce Expansion Program (WEP) enhances nursing education and baccalaureate degree nursing students.

HRSA will award approximately $4.7 million to up to five grantees over a period of four years through this funding opportunity.

Eligible Applicants include:

  • Accredited schools of nursing
  • Entities that offer associate degrees in nursing, such as community colleges
  • Hospitals and nurse-managed health centers
  • Nursing homes and hospice facilities
  • Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics
  • Native American tribal governments and organizations

View funding opportunity for complete eligibility information

Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model, July 25

June 21, 2024

Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model, July 25

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on helping patients transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the full resources of the Critical Access Hospital and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states including both independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients representing more than 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average growth in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical which is a growing patient population, and only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of less than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others”.

Cost: Free

When:  Thursday, July 25, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CT

Register Here