June 7, 2023
Providing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients Using Telehealth
Telehealth can help improve access to quality care. Using telehealth appointments allows for a safe, convenient way for LGBTQ+ patients to access health care. Visit this page to learn best practices and access resources for providing quality LGBTQ+ telehealth care.
June 7, 2023
Supporting Patients with Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a growing telehealth practice that allows health care providers to monitor a patient’s health from their own home. Providers can support patients in managing acute and chronic conditions and it can cut down on patients’ travel costs. Learn more about how to use remote patient monitoring and about billing and reimbursement.
June 6, 2023
There’s Still Time to Become an NHSC Site
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) New Site Application is currently open for eligible health care sites. As an NHSC site, your health care facility can attract more providers, and ensure an adequate and qualified workforce to provide affordable health care services for your community.
NHSC Leads and State/Territorial Primary Care Office (PCO) staff are available to answer questions about eligibility and the application process.
The application is open now through Thursday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
National Service Corps-approved sites, depending on eligibility, may be able to access several different programs, including the following:
All National Health Service Corps-approved sites receive the benefits of online, interactive access to the Health Workforce Connector, an online platform that allows you to:
Check the NHSC Site Reference Guide appendices for sample sliding fee templates, patient policies, and recruitment and retention plans.
Watch the 2023 NHSC New Site Application Webinar Recording
Create an account or log into the Customer Service Portal
June 5, 2023
OSHA and Reducing Workplace Stress
While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors, especially for healthcare workers. OSHA’s Workplace Stress Toolkit provides resources to help employers reduce workplace stress and improve the mental health and well-being of workers.
The World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar U.S. employers spend treating common mental health issues, they receive a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Employers can make a difference when it comes to helping their staff manage stress.
Your organization can be a key place for your workforce to find resources, solutions and to offer activities designed to improve mental health and well-being.
Click Here for statistics; how to better understand this problem; and gain access to guidance & tips for employers.
June 5, 2023
For Healthcare Executives – OSHA on Workplace Violence/Reducing Workplace Stress
Did you know, nonfatal workplace violence is more widespread in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sectors than in any other industry?
While workplace violence also occurs in other industries, healthcare and social assistance services have a common set of risk factors related to the unique relationship between the care provider and the patient, client, or their visitors.
An OSHA panel met with small businesses to discuss a possible workplace violence standard for the healthcare and social assistance industries and OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel in March 2023.
Public comments on the panel’s final report and other materials are being accepted until July 3.
Click Here to download the SBREFA Report.
June 5, 2023
Highlighting Disparities During National Men’s Health Month
During June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is recognizing National Men’s Health Month by encouraging men from populations that are underserved to prioritize their health and well-being.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 4 male deaths. Among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries, men had a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (32.3%) than women (22.2%) in 2018. Men from minority populations are often disproportionately affected by heart disease and many of its risk factors, including high blood pressure. According to the CDC, hypertension was more common in Black (58.4%), Asian (51.9%), Hispanic and Latino (50.4%) men from 2015-2018 compared to White men (49.8%). Racial disparities are prevalent not only in heart disease, but also in prostate cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer death among males. In 2019, Black men had the highest rate of new cancer diagnoses, followed by White, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian and Pacific Islander men.
In addition to promoting men’s physical health this month, CMS OMH is highlighting the importance of men’s mental health. Since men are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than women due to stigma, their mental health concerns often go untreated. In 2021, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than the rate among females. Though men make up 50% of the U.S. population, they represent nearly 80% of suicides.
National Men’s Health Month allows CMS OMH an opportunity to highlight racial and ethnic disparities in men’s health as well as the importance of physical and mental well-being for men of all backgrounds. We encourage you to share the below resources with the men in your community to help them take control of their health this month and all year.
Resources:
June 1, 2023
Social Determinants of Health Screening Moves Beyond Pilot Program for VCU Health System
VCU Health System (VCUHS) systematically screened patients for health-related social needs to identify and address factors outside of the clinical setting that impact patients’ health. Screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) is still relatively new for many health care providers but VCUHS committed to this practice at the beginning of a pilot model and continued the work beyond the trial end date.
VCUHS used the Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool as part of its program that focused on Richmond-area (Virginia) Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries for five core needs: food, housing, utilities, transportation and safety. It became one part of several programs VCUHS is currently implementing to address their patients’ needs to address inequities in health outcomes.
Click HERE to read more.
May 30, 2023
Apply Now for One Year of Virtual and On-Site Technical Assistance
Applications are being accepted for the 2023-2024 cohort of the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP). RHPTP guides small rural hospitals and certified rural health clinics as they prepare for participation in alternative payment and care delivery models.
In 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), set the goal of transitioning all Medicare beneficiaries and a majority of Medicaid beneficiaries into a value-based care (VBC) model.
The shift from a traditional fee-for-service model focused on volume to a VBC model focused on patient health outcomes leads to prevention-based services, increased patient engagement and satisfaction, reduced effects and incidence of chronic disease, improved quality of care, and lower costs for both patients and payers.
RHPTP provides direct support to five small rural hospitals and certified rural health clinics annually, to help them strengthen their organization’s understanding of VBC and learn strategies they can use to be effective participants in a health care system focused on value.
Small rural hospitals and certified rural health clinics selected to participate in RHPTP receive one year of focused technical assistance (TA) that’s designed to strengthen their organization’s understanding of the key elements of value-based care. Project focus areas include quality, efficiency, patient experience, and safety. Five applicants are selected each year to receive RHPTP’s virtual and on-site TA.
Program Eligibility:
Applicant organizations must:
Additional details regarding the RHPTP application process, scoring, and selection process can be found in the 2023-2024 Application Interview and Process Guide.
May 30, 2023
Join OneLab TEST Today
Your agency or organization is invited to join OneLab TEST (Timely Education and Support of Testers). OneLab TEST is a new collaborative network developed to strengthen connections between the testing community and CDC to support the ever-increasing need to expand access to diagnostic testing.
OneLab TEST seeks to —
OneLab TEST provides support and resources to a variety of professionals and volunteers who perform testing at non-laboratory settings, such as:
Benefits of joining OneLab TEST:
OneLab TEST Featured Training – helps ensure that testing personnel have the basic training necessary to safely and accurately perform patient testing waived under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.
View Course Overview Here
Here’s how to join:
Questions? Email OneLabTEST@cdc.gov.
Visit this page for more information about OneLab TEST.
May 22, 2023
HRSA’s National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
HRSA recently celebrated the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Since its launch on Mother’s Day 2022, the Hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones.
HRSA is also introducing an updated toll-free number for the Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1 833-852-6262). The former number (1-833-9-HELP-4-MOMS or 1-833-943-5746) will continue to work for another year.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential emotional support, resources, and referrals before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline is accessible by phone or test in English and Spanish and offers interpreter services in more than 60 languages. Pregnant and postpartum individuals and their loved ones can get the help and resources they need when they need it.
