Category: Current Affairs

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

July 25, 2024

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is soliciting public comment on the proposed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 State Plan, which covers the period of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.

The State Plan describes the state agency’s objectives and procedures for all aspects of WIC program administration for the 2025 FFY.

Comment Submission:

All public comments are welcome and should be directed to:

  • WICinfo@health.mo.gov, or
  • Fax to 573 526-1470, or
  • Mail to Angie Oesterly
    • WIC and Nutrition Services
    • PO Box 570
    • 930 Wildwood Dr.
    • Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

All comments should be submitted by August 12, 2024. Comments will be included in the final copy of the plan, which must be submitted to the United State Department of Agriculture by August 15, 2024.

Click Here to access the State Plan

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

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.

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.