Category: Resources

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

July 25, 2024

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

Medicare patients are more computer savvy and informed. Medicare continues to provide ways for patients to gain information to make informed decisions about where to obtain their care.

This month the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Medicare.gov compare tool pages for physicians and clinicians.

The following new procedures were added to the 12 new procedures released back in January 2024:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Arthroscopy – upper extremity
  • Arthroscopy – lower extremity
  • Varicose vein ablation
  • Laminectomy/laminotomy
  • Lower limb revascularization

Click Here for the CMS Care Compare – Doctors and Clinicans Initiative page.

Click Here to view the “Find & Compare Providers Near You” page for patients which provides comparisons of physicians, hospitals, nursing home, etc.

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

July 25, 2024

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

The National Rural Health Administration has announced the launch of NRHASC.com, a new platform designed to provide rural health care executives with essential, rural proven resources for specific needs.

Developed by rural health care experts, this resource hub is focused exclusively on helping busy rural health care executives find solutions to the unique challenges they face.

This platform offers comprehensive coverage from policy updates to practical tools all in one easy-to-navigate site.

Click Here to go to NRHASC.com

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

New Resource: Rural SUD Info Center

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

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.

New Resource! Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

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:

  • Developing
  • Implementing
  • Evaluating
  • and Sustaining

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

FREE Cyber Security Tools and Services

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:

  • Stop Ransomware – A whole of government approach that gives one central location for ransomware resources and alerts
  • Shields Up – as the nation’s cyber defense agency, CISA stands ready to help organizations prepare for, respond to and mitigate the impact of cyberattacks.
    • When cyber incidents are reported quickly, they can render assistance and issue warning to prevent attacks
  • Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories – CISA is continually monitoring cyber space and actively shares threats and vulnerabilities
  • Joint Ransomware Task Force (JRTF) – serves as the central bod for coordinating an ongoing nationwide campaign against ransomware attacks in addition to identifying and pursuing opportunities for international cooperation

Click Here to Learn More

Changes to Sex Elements July 1, 2024

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.

  • This will impact OP-18 data abstractions.
    • The Sex data element will continue to be used for abstractions for encounter dates up to June 30, 2024.
  • The numeric allowable values will be changed for encounters beginning July 1, 2024.
    • This will impact your February 1, 2025, data submission which will need to contain this change from the Sex data element to the Sex Assigned at Birth data element.
  • You will continue to report the Sex data elements for:
    • OP-18 for the August 1, 2024, data submission (Q1 2024 encounters) and the
    • November 1, 2024, data submission (Q2 2024 encounters).
    • For CART users you will continue to report as you have using version CART version 1.24.0 until further notice.

What can hospitals do to prepare for this change?

  • Inform EMR vendors and IT teams of this change beginning with July 1, 2024, encounters.
    • It is important to align data elements with these changes for ease of abstraction of these encounters for the February 1, 2025, submission.
  • CART users can continue using CART version 1.24.0 for submissions of Q1 2024 encounters and Q2 2024 encounters.
    • The RQITA team anticipates a new version of CART will be released for encounters starting July 1, 2024, to use for submission due February 1, 2025.
  • Connect with hospital leadership and clinical teams to ensure this information is captured for patient encounters starting July 1, 2024.
  • Review the measure specifications. Page 2-48 of the Hospital Outpatient Measure Specifications version 17.0a contains detailed information regarding the changes.
  • Signup to the CART listserv to be the first to know about changes https://qualitynet.cms.gov/listserv-signup.

New Information on Federal Financing of Medicaid IT for Behavioral Health

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