Author: dianawinder

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

New Funding Opportunity: Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program HRSA-25-091

July 25, 2024

New Funding Opportunity: Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program HRSA-25-091

The purpose of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program is to support the training of residents in primary care residency training programs in community-based ambulatory patient care centers.

These residency programs will prepare residents to provide high-quality care, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and develop competencies to serve these diverse populations and communities.

This funding will support both the direct expenses associated with sponsoring approved graduate medical residency training programs and indirect expenses associated with the additional costs relating to teaching residents in residency training programs.

Two types of awards are available:

  • Expansion awards for an increased number of resident Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions at existing HRSA THCGME Programs
  • New awards to support new resident FTE positions at new Teaching Health Centers (THCs). New THCs are those applicants seeking funding for residency programs that have never received payment under the HRSA THCGME Program for the applicable residency program in any previous fiscal year.

You can apply if you are a community-based ambulatory patient care center that operates an accredited primary care center that operates an accredited primary care residency program, or has formed a GME consortium that operates an accredited primary care residency program, in one of the following specialties/disciplines:

  • Family medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Internal medicine pediatrics
  • Obstetrics and gynecology
  • Psychiatry
  • General dentistry
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Geriatrics

Applications due September 5, 2024 11:59 p.m. ET

Learn More

Click Here to Apply

Upcoming MBQIP Deadlines and Reporting Reminders

July 24, 2024

Upcoming Deadlines and Reporting Reminders

  • Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) Q2 2024 encounters (4/1/24- 6/30/24) is due July 31, 2024.
  • Reporting Median time from ED arrival to ED departure (OP-18) Q4 encounters (1/1/24-3/31/24) is due August 1, 2024. Submission is through the HQR Secure Portal-Outpatient. CART users will use CART version 1.24.0. For questions on CART submission and requirement details connect with your State Flex Program.
  • Are you reporting the Hybrid Hospital-Wide Readmission measure? Reporting Hybrid HWR for Q3 2023-Q2 2024 encounters (7/1/2023-6/30/2024) is due September 30, 2024 for reporting to CMS. Note: The measure is not currently being submitted for MBQIP but is available for reporting to CMS.
  • Reporting Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Q2 2024 encounters (4/1/24-6/30/24) is due October 2, 2024. Submission is through the HQR Secure Portal-Vendor.

 

MBQIP Data Submission Deadlines can be found in the Technical Assistance & Services Center (TASC) MBQIP Toolkit at the link below:

https://www.ruralcenter.org/resources/data-reporting-and-use#data-submission-deadlines

New MBQIP Resources Available

July 24, 2024

New MBQIP Resources Available

Data submission Guides for 5 measures are now available on the RQITA website. 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 measure.

New Data Submission Guides:

Other New MBQIP Resources

Hepatitis C Testing Event – Monday, July 29

July 24, 2024

Hepatitis C Testing Event – Monday, July 29

Hepatitis C affects over 2.4 million adults in the United States. Most people living with the disease are not aware of their status because often Hepatitis C does not have any symptoms.

Hepatitis C can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer, as well as transmission to others. However, Hepatitis C is curable.

As a part of Missouri’s Project Hep Cure and Elimination plan, the State aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by making universal testing accessible and prevent new infections while increasing dignity and reducing stigma.

In celebration of World Hepatitis Testing Day, the free testing event will offer the following:

  • Screening and free rapid finger-stick Hepatitis C point of care tests, with results in 20 minutes
  • Educational materials on Hepatitis B and C
  • Referral and linkage to care to treating physicians
  • Risk reduction materials

Cost:  Free

When: Monday, July 29, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where:

Missouri River Regional Library Art Galley East

214 Adams St

Jefferson City

NARHC RHC Office Hours

July 23, 2024

NARHC RHC Office Hours

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics continues to host Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Office Hours at 1 p.m. ET every other Wednesday, via Zoom.

Anyone with an RHC question is encouraged to join in. Ask questions about:

  • RHC policy
  • RHC certification
  • Medicare
  • HRSA COVID-19 programs, and more

No registration is required. RHCs can join using the link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/s/81747173194

Attendees without computer access or computer audio can dial in:

  • Dial in toll free – +1 301-715-8592
  • PIN: 817 4717 3194#
  • Meeting ID: 817 4717 319

NARHC Webinar: 2025 Proposed CMS Rules – What’s in the Rules for RHCs How You Can Get Involved in Regulatory Advocacy, August 15

July 23, 2024

NARHC Webinar: 2025 Proposed CMS Rules – What’s in the Rules for RHCs How You Can Get Involved in Regulatory Advocacy, August 15

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule.

The annual regulatory update contains a significant section specifically for RHCs, this year proposing to:

  • eliminate productivity standards,
  • remove Hemoglobin/Hematocrit from the six required lab services,
  • reform care management billing, and
  • much more.

Join this webinar where the National Association for Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) D.C. team will cover all these provisions in detail.

When: Thursday, August 15, 1:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

CMS Publishes Annual Proposed Rules with Significant RHC Provision

July 23, 2024

CMS Publishes Annual Proposed Rules with Significant RHC Provision

On July 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule.

This annual rule provides regulatory updates to the fee schedule and contains a significant section specifically for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) will be analyzing all the RHC and related provisions and providing a full summary over the next few weeks and will later submit comments on behalf of the RHC community. If finalized, these changes would go into effect January 1, 2025.

For a brief overview of what this proposed rule means for RHCs click Here.