Author: dianawinder

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.

RQITA Monthly – June Edition

June 26, 2024

RQITA Monthly – June Edition

RQITA Monthly is a newsletter where you will find updates on all things MBQIP.

Each issue includes a wealth of information on the MBQIP program including:

  • Questions from the field
    • Common questions and challenges are discussed
  • Resources and Tools
    • Find new resources and tools to help you navigate the MBQIP program
  • Upcoming Deadlines and Reporting Reminders
  • Upcoming Events
    • Find upcoming trainings or learning events that may be helpful to MBQIP participants

Click Here to Access RQITA Monthly

Changes to Sex Elements July 1, 2024

June 26, 2024

Changes to Sex Elements July 1, 2024

The Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program specifications includes a change in Sex data elements that will impact future OP-18 data submission.

The Sex data element will be replaced by the Sex Assigned at Birth data element beginning with July 1, 2024, encounters.

  • This will impact OP-18 data abstractions.
    • The Sex data element will continue to be used for abstractions for encounter dates up to June 30, 2024.
  • The numeric allowable values will be changed for encounters beginning July 1, 2024.
    • This will impact your February 1, 2025, data submission which will need to contain this change from the Sex data element to the Sex Assigned at Birth data element.
  • You will continue to report the Sex data elements for:
    • OP-18 for the August 1, 2024, data submission (Q1 2024 encounters) and the
    • November 1, 2024, data submission (Q2 2024 encounters).
    • For CART users you will continue to report as you have using version CART version 1.24.0 until further notice.

What can hospitals do to prepare for this change?

  • Inform EMR vendors and IT teams of this change beginning with July 1, 2024, encounters.
    • It is important to align data elements with these changes for ease of abstraction of these encounters for the February 1, 2025, submission.
  • CART users can continue using CART version 1.24.0 for submissions of Q1 2024 encounters and Q2 2024 encounters.
    • The RQITA team anticipates a new version of CART will be released for encounters starting July 1, 2024, to use for submission due February 1, 2025.
  • Connect with hospital leadership and clinical teams to ensure this information is captured for patient encounters starting July 1, 2024.
  • Review the measure specifications. Page 2-48 of the Hospital Outpatient Measure Specifications version 17.0a contains detailed information regarding the changes.
  • Signup to the CART listserv to be the first to know about changes https://qualitynet.cms.gov/listserv-signup.