July 8, 2024
New Resource: Rural SUD Info Center
The Rural SUD Info Center is an exciting new clearinghouse that highlights the work of three different Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance use Disorders (SUD), all of which are funded by FORHP’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP).
Visitors to the website will find current information and technical assistance opportunities on SUD through a rural lens.
Click Here to Visit the Rural SUD Info Center
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.
July 2, 2024
New Resource! Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) has a new toolkit, developed in collaboration with the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis.
The Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support the implementation of chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States.
The modules in this toolkit contain resources and information focused on:
rural programs for the management of chronic disease.
Click Here to Access the Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit
Click Here to Access the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit
June 28, 2024
FREE Cyber Security Tools and Services
Utilize free cyber security tools and services from Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – America’s Cyber Defense Agency.
Malware, phishing, and ransomware are common forms of cyber-attacks. CISA offers the tools and services needed to protect against and rapidly respond to attacks.
Featured Content on the CISA Malware, Phishing & Ransomware Webpage:
Click Here to Learn More
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.
What can hospitals do to prepare for this change?
June 24, 2024
New Information on Federal Financing of Medicaid IT for Behavioral Health
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
The guidance describes opportunities for state Medicaid agencies to receive enhanced federal matching rates for certain health Information Technology aimed at increasing access to behavioral health treatment and improving coordination of care for co-occurring physical health conditions, such as telehealth and electronic connections to Health Information Exchanges.
It also reminds state Medicaid agencies how to apply for enhanced Medicaid matching rates for these types of expenditures. Medicaid is an important source of insurance in rural areas, and leveraging federal dollars can help rural communities expand their capacity to deliver behavioral health services.
Click Here to Read CMS Informational Bulletin
June 24, 2024
Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth
ProviderBridge.org was created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the Federation of State Medical Boards and HRSA’s Office for Advancement of Telehealth.
The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities.
June 24, 2024
New Toolkit from RHIhub: Chronic Disease Management
This toolkit was developed in collaboration with NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis as part of a growing collection of resources available at the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub).
It compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States and covers several common chronic conditions including:
Click Here to access Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit
June 24, 2024
New MBQIP Resources Available
Data Submission Guides for the measures Screening for Social Drivers of Health, Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health, and Hospital Commitment to Health Equity are now available on the RQITA website. Data submission guides for all MBQIP core measures will be available in the future.
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 of the measures.
Data Submission Guide for Screening for Social Drivers of Health Version 1.0 Released June 2024
Data Submission Guide for Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health Version 1.0 Released June 2024
Data Submission Guide for Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Version 1.0 Released June 2024
June 21, 2024
Updated RHIhub Topic Guide – Rural Hospice and Palliative Care
This recently updated RHIhub topic guide shares information and resources describing how hospice services operate in rural communities and describes related factors and influences that impact hospice operations.
Also included is a description of the challenges of operating a rural hospice organization, including:
Click Here to Access Rural Hospice and Palliative Care
