Category: Resources

MBQIP Data Reporting Reminders – April 2023

April 13, 2023

MBQIP Data Reporting Reminders – April 2023

Important Notice

Dates for measure submission and manual/CART versions are based on currently available information and may be subject to change.

April 30, 2023

Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC)

  • Patients seen Q1 2023 (January, February, March)

May 1, 2023

CMS Population and Sampling (optional)*

  • Patients seen Q4 2022 (October, November, December)
  • Inpatient** and outpatient
  • Entered via the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) HARP account

May 1, 2023

CMS Outpatient Measures:

  • Patients seen Q4 2022 (October, November, December)
  • CMS Hospital Outpatient Reporting Specifications Manual version 15.0b 
  • Submitted to HQR via CART or by vendor
  • CART version – 1.21.0

May 15, 2023

Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination – HCP/IMM-3

  • For data October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023
  • Submitted through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

May 15, 2023

CMS Outpatient Web-based Measure:

  • Measure OP-22: Patient Left Without Being Seen – full calendar year 2022
  • CMS Hospital Outpatient Reporting Specifications Manual version 15.0b
  • Entered via HQR HARP account

May 15, 2023

CMS Inpatient Measures**:

  • Patients seen Q4 2022 (October, November, December)
  • CMS Hospital Inpatient Reporting Specifications Manual version  5.12
  • Submitted to HQR via CART or by vendor
  • CART version –  4.30.0

*Population and sampling refers to the recording of the number of cases the hospital is submitting to Hospital Quality Reporting thru a HARP account.

** Currently there are no inpatient core MBQIP measures required.

For questions:  Stroudwater Associates, Carla Wilber, cwilber@stroudwater.com

MBQIP Monthly – April 2023 Now Available

April 13, 2023

MBQIP Monthly – April 2023 Now Available

MBQIP Monthly is an e-newsletter that highlights current information about the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and provides critical access hospitals (CAHs) information and support for quality reporting and improvement. MBQIP Monthly is produced through the Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance program by Stratis Health.

April content:

  • CAHs Can! Engaging Hospital Boards in Quality
  • Data: CAHs Measure Up – New Birthing-Friendly Hospital Designation
  • Tips: Robyn Quips – Annual Measures OP-22 and HCP
  • Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

MBQIP Monthly – April 2023

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

April 11, 2023

USDA Unveils Resource Guide to Help Rural Colleges and Universities Identify Resources to Improve Facilities and Educational Opportunities for Students

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a resource guide to help colleges and universities in rural areas find low-interest loans and grants to build or improve their facilities, infrastructure, equipment and educational programs.

The resource guide outlines loan and grant programs that are available to eligible colleges and universities. These programs can be used to advance community and economic development through three USDA Rural Development program areas:

  • Community Programs
  • Rural business-Cooperative Service Programs
  • Rural Utilities Service Programs

These programs can be used to:

  • Help finance distance learning technologies to assist student’s access to remote learning opportunities
  • Help students and teachers access high-speed internet
  • Help universities and colleges make improvements to their campus and facilities
  • Click here for additional resources, forms and program information

Click here for resource guide

FDA Communication Materials for Consumers, Patients, and Healthcare Professionals to Help Increase Hand Sanitizer Safety

April 7, 2023

FDA Communication Materials for Consumers, Patients, and Healthcare Professionals to Help Increase Hand Sanitizer Safety

Due to recent hand sanitizer being recalled for the presence of Methanol, the FDA recommends using the Hand Sanitizer Safety and Use Communication Toolkit to educate consumers, patients, and health care professionals to increase hand sanitizer safety.

This toolkit includes:

  • One page infographic about hand sanitizer use and safety
  • Social Media Messages and links to graphics for:

Handwashing

Health care professional messages

General hand sanitizer messages

  • Clinician Drop-In Newsletter Article
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Health Care Professionals on Hand Sanitizer Safety
  • Hand Sanitizer Fact Sheets
  • Consumer Articles and Video

Click Here for Full Details

 

New Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Fact Sheet

March 31, 2023

New Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Fact Sheet

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published a new fact sheet summarizing the Medicare rules and regulations for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). This latest version includes the revised CAH location requirement relative to other facilities to include areas with only secondary roads available as well as the requirement to inform the patient or their representative of their rights before starting or ending care and establish a grievance process.

Click here to view and download the CAH Fact Sheet

EMS Community Benefit Pilot Project for Rural Ambulance Services- Apply By April 7, 2023

March 24,2023

EMS Community Benefit Pilot Project for Rural Ambulance Services

The Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, in coordination with Health Resources and Services Administration and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, requests your participation in the federal EMS Community Benefit and Financial Distress Pilot Project for Rural Ambulance Services.

The Rural Ambulance Community Benefit and Financial Distress tool, provided by the National Rural Health Resource Center, is designed to quantify and standardize the value rural EMS services provide to the community for free or at a reduced rate, by calculating the benefits the community receives from the ambulance service.

Click Here to Learn more about the EMS Community Benefit & Financial Distress Pilot Project for Rural

Ambulance Services

 Contact Nicole Clement at nclement@ruralcenter.org

By April 7, 2023 to participate
 Click Here to Learn more About the Project and Financial Distress Tool

https://youtu.be/tRMkzbZkTOE

 Click Here to Learn more about the National Rural Health Resource Center
Please see attachment for more information: EMS Community Benefit Pilot Project for Rural Ambulance Services

 

March MBQIP Monthly

March 3, 2023

March MBQIP Monthly

Now Available! MBQIP Monthly – March 2023

MBQIP Monthly is an e-newsletter that highlights current information about the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and provides critical access hospitals (CAHs) information and support for quality reporting and improvement. MBQIP Monthly is produced through the Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance program by Stratis Health.

February 2023 content:

  • CAHs Can! How Critical Access Hospitals Improved Patient Experience During the Pandemic
  • Data: CAHs Measure Up – HCAHPS Performance in 2021
  • Tips: Robyn Quips – CART
  • Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

USDA Launches Rural Data Gateway to Strengthen Partnerships and Expand Access to Resources in Rural

March 3, 2023

USDA Launches Rural Data Gateway to Strengthen Partnerships and Expand Access to Resources in Rural

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development unveiled the Rural Data Gateway, a new resource to make the Department’s data for rural projects easier to access for its partners and people living in rural communities. The Rural Data Gateway will help USDA better target resources to those who most need them in rural places. It also will help the Department be a stronger partner to rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and other stakeholders.

Public Health Emergency (PHE) 1135 Waivers: Updated Guidance for Providers

February 24, 2023

Public Health Emergency (PHE) 1135 Waivers: Updated Guidance for Providers

On February 9, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 will end on May, 11, 2023. COVID-19 remains a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and over the next several months, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will work to ensure a smooth transition.  During the PHE, CMS has used a combination of emergency authority waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance to ensure easier access to care during the PHE for health care providers and their beneficiaries.

Some of the flexibilities that were created during the pandemic were recently expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.  Others, while critical during our initial responses to COVID-19, are no longer needed. CMS has made further updates to our CMS Emergencies Page with useful information for providers – specifically around major telehealth and individual waivers – that were initiated during the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

Please reference the following guidance in response to the PHE ending May 11, 2023:

Provider-specific fact sheets about COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers and flexibilities: https://www.cms.gov/coronavirus-waivers

CMS COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities for Providers include:

  • Physicians and Other Clinicians
  • Hospitals and CAHs (including Swing Beds, DPUs), ASCs and CMHCs
  • Teaching Hospitals, Teaching Physicians and Medical Residents
  • Long Term Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities)
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Hospice
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
  • Long Term Care Hospitals & Extended Neoplastic Disease Care Hospitals
  • Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • Laboratories
  • Medicare Shared Savings Program
  • Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies
  • Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
  • Ambulances
  • End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facilities
  • Participants in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
  • Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Department of Health & Human Services Fact Sheet

Customizable Communications Toolkit

February 15, 2023

Customizable Communications Toolkit

The Customizable Communications Toolkit provides rural health care organizations with free templates to support a range of internal and external communication campaigns focused on COVID-19 vaccine confidence, health care confidence, preventative screening, swing beds, telehealth, and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

Available templates include brochures, digital and print ads, direct mail postcards, infographics, posters, press releases, radio scripts, social media graphics and sample posts, tip sheets, and website copy.

View Here