Category: Resources

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

Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corp – Apply by June 25

May 16, 2024

Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corp – Apply by June 25

Eligible health care facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. The application for new sites interested in becoming NHSC-approved is now open through June 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

NHSC approved sites provide outpatient, comprehensive primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Benefits to becoming an NHSC-approved site include assistance in recruiting, hiring and retaining quality providers through programs such as the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program.

Learn More about becoming an NHSC site.

Get help with your application:

HRSA’s National Hansen’s Disease Program

May 13, 2024

HRSA’s National Hansen’s Disease Program

Since 1984, The Health Resource and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Program (NHDP) has served as the epicenter of Hansen’s disease, including free consultations, trainings, and medications for leprosy treatment at no cost to the patient.

The NHDP Program’s Clinical Center is located in Baton Rouge, LA and also manages an ambulatory care network of 16 Federally supported outpatient clinics across 10 states and Puerto Rico where patients can receive the following medical care for Hansen’s disease-related condition, free of charge:

  • Antibiotics
  • Pathology diagnostic services
  • Physician visits at NHDP and clinics

For more information:

Hansen’s Disease Resources:

Partner Resources: Medicaid Redetermination Process

April 25, 2024

Partner Resources: Medicaid Redetermination Process

With more than 35 million redeterminations yet to be completed, beneficiaries still need accurate information about the Medicaid Redetermination process.

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP), Family Voices and the Catalyst Center at Boston University has created fact sheets to provide important information for families and professionals.

For Patients and Families:

We lost Medicaid coverage: Now what?

For Providers:

Millions are at risk of coverage loss: What can MCH professionals do now to support families in the Medicaid redetermination process?

New Dashboard Helps Families and Health Care Workers Determine Bed Availability in Long-Term Care Settings

March 13, 2024

New Dashboard Helps Families and Health Care Workers Determine Bed Availability in Long-Term Care Settings

A new dashboard has been developed to assist Missourians in locating long-term care facilities with bed and service availability.

“This resource will assist individuals looking for long-term care placement options specific to their needs in their desired area of the state,” said Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Director, Jenny Hollandsworth.

Long-term care facilities, including all levels of care, are strongly encouraged to complete an electronic survey weekly to report how many beds they have available, and which resident needs they can serve, i.e., memory care, behavioral health, bariatric, etc.

The survey and dashboard can be found on the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website, along with instructional videos. Questions can be directed to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at LTCOmbudsman@health.mo.gov.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Updated Toolkit

March 12, 2024

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Updated Toolkit

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their toolkit for states on telehealth coverage policies in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) so that it is relevant now that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) has ended.

The toolkit provides insights into:

  • Telehealth platforms
  • Effective billing practices
  • Lessons learned from states amid and post COVID-19 PHE
  • Approaches to ensure accessible and culturally sensitive care delivery through telehealth.

The toolkit outlines:

  • Strategies for telehealth within value-based care frameworks
  • Evaluation methodologies to gauge its impact on quality
  • Outcomes
  • Costs
  • Initiatives for effectively communicating, training, and equipping both providers and beneficiaries with telehealth resources

Information included in Toolkit:

  • Detailed description of the common telehealth modalities
  • A section for frequently asked questions
  • A description of Medicaid trends throughout recent years
  • Strategies for delivering services via telehealth to specific populations
  • Operational consideration of implementing telehealth

Click Here to Access the Toolkit

FREE Ventilator for Rural Hospitals

March 12, 2024

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) has been notified that the Strategic National Stockpile is offering all Rural Hospitals the opportunity to claim a FREE ventilator.

Important Notes:

  • These ventilators were first offered to rural hospitals in 2021
  • All rural hospitals are eligible to request a ventilator
    • Regardless of participation in 2021
  • Request your ventilator now, by completing the Rural Hospital Ventilator Form
    • Be sure to include appropriate and accurate point of contacts
    • You will also need to coordinate with logistics and respiratory departments to ensure smooth delivery of the unit

Ventilator Distribution Opportunity for Rural Hospitals, Frequently Asked Questions:

  • How many ventilators can I request?
    • rural hospitals may submit a request for more than one ventilator (per model) via the interest form. However, please remember there is no guarantee as distribution is contingent on availability
  • Can I request a new ventilator if I already received a ventilator in 2021 during the COVID-19 response?
    • Yes. Rural hospitals may request a ventilator(s) regardless if they participated in the previous distribution of ventilators
  • Will I need to return the ventilator?
    • No. However, you will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the ventilator
  • What is included in the ventilator kit?
    • Each model should include one ventilator and one accessory kit
  • Do I need to cover the cost for shipping and delivery of the ventilator?
    • No. Once the ventilators are ready to ship, the Strategic National Stockpile will coordinate with their contractor to confirm and arrange delivery.
      • Prior to delivery, it’s important your hospital’s point of contact coordinate internally with your logistics and respiratory team to ensure the equipment will be delivered to the correct facility.
  • Ventilator models available include:
    • ResMed Astral 150
    • AutoMedx SAVE II
      • Please note: these models were NOT produced through the Defense Production Act and have been fully maintained and cleared by the FDA for regular use.

Claim Your Free Ventilator Today