Category: Resources

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

Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth

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.

Go to ProviderBridge.org

New Toolkit from RHIhub: Chronic Disease Management

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:

  • Diabetes
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Heart disease
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Chronic pain

Click Here to access Rural Chronic Disease Management Toolkit

New MBQIP Resources Available

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

Updated RHIhub Topic Guide – Rural Hospice and Palliative Care

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:

  • Workforce and reimbursement issues
  • Potential strategies and solutions to address related issues

Click Here to Access Rural Hospice and Palliative Care

New Resources for Occupational Licensure Compacts

June 12, 2024

New Resources for Occupational Licensure Compacts

The licensure process is intended to protect the general public and to ensure patient safety. Health professionals must meet the licensure requirements of the state where they are located and be licensed or legally permitted to practice in the state where the patient is located.

To practice in a state, providers must meet the requirements. Requirements include education exams and background checks. Health care providers are expected to maintain and renew their license. Maintenance may require an annual fee, continuing education and self-reporting disciplinary actions.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supported Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project aims to improve licensure portability for health care professionals working between states and for people who are geographically isolated.

The site now includes compact information for professions such as:

  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Counseling
  • Dentistry
  • Dieticians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Nursing
  • School Psychologists

Learn More

List of all topics for licensure

See Licensing Across State Lines

New Occupations Added to Guide for Licensure Portability

June 10, 2024

New Occupations Added to Guide for Licensure Portability

The Multi-discipline Licensure Resource Project is an effort supported by HRSA to improve licensure portability for health care professions working between states and for people who are geographically isolated.

Previously, the site provided guidance for four disciplines:

  • Psychology
  • Social work
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy

New disciplines have been added:

  • Counseling
  • Dentistry
  • Dietitians
  • Emergency medical services
  • Physician assistants
  • Nursing
  • Advanced practice nursing
  • School psychologists

Click Here to Professional’s Guide to Occupational Licensure Compacts

New Botnet Video – Cyber Safety is Patient Safety

May 17, 2024

New Botnet Video – Cyber Safety is Patient Safety

The HHS 405(d) Knowledge on Demand page has added a new free educational video on Botnets.

This video helps users identify and be aware of the threat of botnet by understanding what it is and how it works.

Organizations can use this video and share with others that may or may not know the term botnet, or the threat that looms.

Click Here to access the free video