Category: Resources

New Product: A Comparison of Non-Operating Revenue between Rural and Suburban Hospitals

December 4, 2023

New Product: A Comparison of Non-Operating Revenue between Rural and Suburban Hospitals

A new product exploring non-operating revenue (NOR) in rural and urban hospitals was released by the Flex Monitoring Team. NOR is an important source of hospital revenue; some hospitals are able to use NOR to offset operating losses, improve total margins, and remain profitable overall despite experiencing negative operating incomes. NOR, defined as revenue from sources other than patient care and activities closely related to patient care, is comprised of investment income, medical office rental revenue, government appropriations (such as state and local tax transfers and grants), and philanthropic sources.

The new brief, A Comparison of Non-Operating Revenue between Rural and Urban Hospitals, compares the relative percentage and composition of NOR among Critical Access Hospital (CAHs), Rural Prospective Payment System (R-PPS) hospitals, and Urban Prospective Payment System (U-PPS) hospitals. This information may be important to hospital executives seeking to improve financial performance, and to policymakers to understand how non-operating revenue affects hospital financial performance.

Read Policy Brief

Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

December 4, 2023

Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A review of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed the prevalence of COPD has remained stable overall, but with disparities based on rural residence. Specifically, between the years 2011 and 2021, prevalence increased for adults 75 years and older, for those living in rural areas, and for those who smoked.

Researchers suggest the COPD National Action Plan provides a comprehensive framework for COPD prevention, treatment, and management strategies. These can be tailored to address risk factors specific to various populations. In rural areas, for example, there are higher rates of smoking, history of asthma, and exposure to lung irritants, but limited access to pulmonologists.

The Rural Health Information hub (RHIhub) recently updated the Rural Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit, with models for effective COPD programs, issues to consider when implementing, and resources for funding and sustainability.

Overview of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Rural Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit

Licensure for Behavioral Health Providers

November 28, 2023

Licensure for Behavioral Health Providers

To increase access to care, states are creating new pathways for out-of-state providers to practice, including for behavioral health and prescribing of medication online.

Learn how states are increasing access to care by creating pathways for out-of-state providers to practice.

Learn More

November RQITA Monthly Newsletter

November 27, 2023

November RQITA Monthly Newsletter

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) is happy to share the November RQITA Monthly Newsletter. Included in this edition:

  • Questions from the Field
    • Discusses common questions or challenges seen in the MBQIP program
  • Resources and Tools
    • What new resources are available to help navigate the MBQIP program
  • Upcoming Deadlines and Reporting Reminders
    • Submission due January 3, 2024 – HCAHPS Q3 encounters (7/1/23 – 9/30/23)
    • Submission due February 1, 2024 – OP-18 Q3 encounters (7/1/23 – 9/30/23)
    • Reporting due February 24, 2024 – Safe Use of Opioids – Concurrent Prescribing measure for CY 2023 encounter (1/1/23 – 12/31/23)
  • Upcoming Events

November Monthly Newsletter

Updated RHIhub Topic Guide

November 27, 2023

Updated RHIhub Topic Guide

The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) recently updated their topic guide that shares resources and information to help rural communities address their emergency preparedness and response needs.

Included in the topic guides:

  • How-to-Guides
  • Rural Healthcare Delivery
  • Current & Critical Issues
  • Rural Health Needs & Services
  • Rural Healthcare Workforce
  • Rural Population Health
  • Specific Populations

RHIhub Topic Guides

Additional Emergency Preparedness Resources

Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response

Rural Emergency Preparedness Toolkit

NRHA Career Center – Your Resource to Thousands of Registered Candidates

November 17, 2023

NRHA Career Center – Your Resource to Thousands of Registered Candidates

Rural health needs those who go above and beyond. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Career Center is your resource for qualified health care professionals.

Posting to the NRHA Career Center makes your needs visible to NRHA members and those of nearly 300 more health care professional associations. For employers, it offers one-stop access to highly talented, experienced health care professionals in a wide range of specialties, with NRHA members receiving discounted rates.

For candidates, it offers tools and resources for maximum exposure to health care employers for free with excellent opportunities.

NRHA Career Center Account Benefits for Employers

  • Post jobs
  • Manage applications
  • Search resumes

Job Posting Pricing Options

NRHA Career Center Account Benefits for Job Seekers

  • Post your resume
  • Apply for jobs
  • Get job alerts

NRHA Career Center Resources

  • Career coaching
  • Resume writing
  • Reference testing
  • Career learning center

Find out why thousands of registered candidates rely on NRHA’s Career Center to fill positions, sign up today.

Telehealth Resources for Patients and Providers

November 17, 2023

Telehealth Resources for Patients and Providers

Last month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released two new resources for patients to increase understanding around protecting health information when receiving health care services via telehealth. The first document is more extensive and geared toward providers informing patients, while the second contains direct recommendations to patients:

Provider Resource

Patient Resource

The guidance documents are intended to help educate patients about potential privacy risks when using telehealth and ways to mitigate such risks.

Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth

October 26, 2023

Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth

ProviderBridge.org was created through the CARES Act by the Federation of State Medical Boards and HRSA’s Office for the 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.

Provider Bridge facilitates mobilizing verified health care providers to health care entities and communities where they are needed most.

  • Healthcare Professionals – get your verified digital licensure passport
  • Healthcare Entities – Find verified health care providers
  • Verify credentials
  • Up-to-the-minute verification and critical emergency resources
  • Learn the latest about ongoing national, state, and local Public Health Emergencies and gain access to crucial tools that help deliver necessary care when and where it matters most

Learn more about Provider Bridge

Additional Resources

HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network

October 26, 2023

HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network

A joint program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is available at no cost to hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients. Teams of critical care clinicians – critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialized clinical experts – are available to deliver virtual care through telemedicine platforms, such as an app on a mobile device. Hear from participating clinicians, and email to learn more and sign up.

Mental Health Resources for Rural Residents

October 24, 2023

Mental Health Resources for Rural Residents

A large part of caring for one’s physical health and well-being is mental health. Access to mental health care in rural areas can be a challenge, though.

The rural lifestyle is very different from the way people live in more urban areas. The pace of life in less densely populated areas is slower and more solitary, and these areas have been particularly impacted by the declining agricultural industry and often face financial hardship. Factors such as these are directly correlated with an increased risk of suicide in rural communities.

Over 6 million rural individuals struggle with mental illness or other psychiatric disorders, and it can be difficult to find and receive treatment for these conditions in rural areas. Oftentimes, people who live in these areas have minimal or no insurance coverage for mental illness. They may also have fewer options for mental health care providers or have to travel long distances to see one.

The Missouri Office of Rural Health is dedicated to informing rural communities about and emphasizing the importance of mental health, while also providing information on mental health resources across the state. Taking care of your mental health is part of caring for your overall health. Conditions such as depression or anxiety are legitimate illnesses, like diabetes or arthritis.

Rural residents can visit online resources like LiveAnotherDay for help with locating mental health resources and providers across the state of Missouri. Please visit the resources linked below for more information related to rural mental health in Missouri and nationwide.

Missouri Mental Health Resources

Nationwide Mental Health Resources