Category: Current Affairs

FEMA and HHS Announce Resources and Tips to Address Extreme Heat Sweeping the Nation

July 11, 2024

FEMA and HHS Announce Resources and Tips to Address Extreme Heat Sweeping the Nation

FEMA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are encouraging everyone to plan and act now to protect themselves against the dangers of heat-related hazards in the U.S., but this health impact is largely preventable.

Heat Related Resources:

Click Here to Learn More

NIH Request for Information: Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative

July 11, 2024

NIH Request for Information: Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks public input on how scientific research can address opioid use disorder, overdose and chronic pain.

All interested parties should submit questions and responses to: HEALquestion@od.nih.gov. Please put HEAL RFI in the subject line.

Interested Parties include the following:

  • The Scientific community
  • The private sector
  • Community based organizations
  • Health professionals
  • Professional societies
  • Advocacy groups
  • Patient communities
  • People with living/lived experience
  • Caregivers
  • Funding agencies
  • Other interested members of the public

Send your comments and questions to: HEALquestion@od.nih.gov with “HEAL RFI” in the subject line.

Comments and Questions must be submitted by July 31.

Supplemental Health Care Service Agencies Urged to Register with the State

July 2, 2024

Supplemental Health Care Service Agencies Urged to Register with the State

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented workforce challenges in the health care industry that led to an increase in supplemental health care service agencies in operation which help fill critical gaps in staffing. In 2022, a law was passed in Missouri requiring these agencies to register with the State of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

DHSS was tasked with building the new program and regulations. Since September 2023, DHSS has had oversight of supplemental health care service agencies if such agency provides or procures temporary health care personnel to a licensed hospital (as defined under section 197.020, RSMo), or a licensed assisted living facility, intermediate care facility, residential care facility, or skilled nursing facility (as defined under section 198.006, RSMo), including the registration and inspection process of such agencies and the investigation of complaints.

A supplemental health care services agency is defined in Missouri law as a person, firm, corporation, partnership or association engaged for hire in the business of providing or procuring temporary employment in health care facilities for health care personnel, including a temporary nursing staffing agency, or that operates a digital website or digital smartphone application that facilitates the provision of the engagement of health care personnel and accepts requests for health care personnel through its digital website or digital smartphone application.

Agencies are to register online annually to remain compliant. Changes to the agency, such as contact information or ownership, shall also be reported to DHSS within 30 days of the change.

To view a supplemental health care service agency’s application status, view this dashboard. To report an agency not yet registered with the State, email SHCSA@health.mo.gov or call 573-526-5335.

For more information about regulation of supplemental health care service agencies, visit the DHSS website.

Medical Record Phishing Scams

June 28, 2024

Medical Record Phishing Scams

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent an alert regarding phishing scams for medical records. This can include criminals faxing your office fraudulent medical records requests to get you to send patient records in response.

To Detect a Potential Scam Request, CMS state to look for:

  • Instructions which direct you to send records to an unfamiliar fax number or address
  • Referencing Medicare.gov or @Medicare (.gov)
  • Indicating they need records to “update insurance accordingly”
  • Poor grammar, misspellings, or strange wording
  • Incorrect phone numbers
  • Skewed or outdated logos
  • Graphics that are cut and pasted

If you think you got a fraudulent or questionable request

  • Work with your Medical Review Contractor to confirm if it’s real
  • Submit medical documentation through the Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation (esMD), or
  • CMS medical review contractor secure internet portals, when available

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

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.

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.

News Release: Staying Healthy and Safe in the Summer’s First Heat Wave

June 26, 2024

News Release: Staying Healthy and Safe in the Summer’s First Heat Wave

In 2023, 34 Missourians died due to heat-related illnesses. Heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) urges Missourians to take precautions as heat and humidity rise to dangerous levels. In 2023, 34 Missouri residents, ranging in age from 11 months to 96 years, died due to heat-related illness.

“Heat and humidity can place a lot of stress on the body,” said DHSS Director Paula F. Nickelson. “Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly, with little warning, and lead to heatstroke which becomes a very dangerous situation.”

This early wave of extended extreme heat may not have given Missourians the time to adjust to higher temperatures. This is especially true for some groups like pregnant women, very young children or older adults.

During excessive heat, Nickelson urges Missourians to check on friends and neighbors, especially those who are elderly and chronically ill. To report a senior citizen or an adult with disabilities who is in need of assistance due to the heat, call the state’s toll-free abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-392-0210, or make a report online.

People who are working or exercising outside in the heat or have certain chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes may need to take extra care in the heat. Medications, as well as those with substance use disorder, can impair a body’s response to heat, making one more vulnerable to the heat. Additionally, those experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk of experiencing heat-related illness.

Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Even on a cooler day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes and is life threatening to anyone left inside.

Heat-related illness can affect anyone. Take steps to stay cool in the hottest hours of the day:

  • Prepare your home—Use air conditioning and change air conditioner filters; cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes or shades.
  • Stay indoors—Stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible. At home, take a cool bath or shower, use stoves and ovens less often, and keep window blinds and curtains closed to help maintain cooler temperatures. During prolonged periods of high temperatures, use air conditioning – either at home or by seeking shelter in a local cooling center. Don’t rely on fans to keep you cool. Fans are generally okay for providing comfort in temperatures less than 90° F. But at temperatures over 90° F, a fan can make body temperature rise.
  • Schedule activities carefully—Plan outdoor activities for morning or evening hours when the temperatures are cooler.
  • Wear appropriate clothing—Do not over-dress. Good choices are lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Pace yourself—Reduce exercise or physical activity as much as possible during the hottest part of the day and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned place.

Take steps to stay hydrated:

  • Drink plenty of fluids—Take a drink break every 20-30 minutes regardless of your activity level, and do not wait until you are thirsty. Water or hydrating sports drinks are best. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which actually cause you to lose body fluids.
  • Wear sunscreen—Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can cause you to become dehydrated.

Take steps to stay informed:

  • Check on friends and neighbors—Especially older adults and individuals with a disability or chronic health conditions, as heat is more likely to affect their health. If you find an emergency situation – call 911. In a non-emergency situation, if a senior or disabled adult is suspected of being in need of assistance due to warm weather, make a call. Make a difference. Call the toll-free Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210
  • Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness—What to do matters, depending on type of illness occurring. Signs of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; dizziness; headache; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; nausea or vomiting; or fainting (passing out). If you think you or others are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should stop physical activity and move to a cool place that is preferably air-conditioned, loosen clothing, and sip cool water.

Seek medical attention immediately if you or others are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour. Heat stroke is life-threatening and occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature or cool down. Signs of heat stroke may include extremely high body temperature (103°F or higher); hot, red, dry skin with no sweat; fast, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; or loss of consciousness (passing out). You should call 911 right away, as heat stroke is a medical emergency. Then, if you are able, move to a cool place that is preferably air-conditioned. Help lower the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath until medical personnel arrive. Do not give the person anything to drink.

  • Pay attention to weather forecasts and heat advisories- CDC’s HeatRisk map is one tool that provides local heat risk information to keep you and others safe.

For more information regarding heat-related illness and prevention, visit the websites of DHSS or the CDC.

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