Summer 2020

Click to view Newsletter.

July 15, 2020

Click to view RHIhub This Week.

The Missouri Telehealth Network (MTN) at the University of Missouri and Heartland Telehealth Resource Center are offering a Telemedicine ECHO for providers in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The ECHO offers interactive online learning sessions every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. The sessions address recent changes in such areas as reimbursement, operations, regulations, best practices, telebehavioral health and more.

Providers with rural health centers, federally qualified health centers and critical access hospitals are especially encouraged to participate. The Telemedicine ECHO is part of MTN’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes a COVID-19 ECHO, telehealth guides and a variety of additional COVID-19 resources. Register for these services and learn more at https://showmeecho.org/.

• Congress Introduces Improved Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act

H.R. 6792 Allows RHCs to be Paid AIR for Telehealth Visits

On May 8th, Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Representative Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) introduced the Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act.

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) strongly endorses this legislation and we sincerely thank Rep. Smith and Rep. O’Halleran for their leadership on this issue. Both members were instrumental in getting the law changed to allow rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to bill as distant site providers, and now they are leading the way on improving our deeply problematic telehealth billing methodology.  Read More

• Financial Programs for RHCs During COVID-19 PandemicThe federal government recognizes that the health care industry is in the midst of both a public health crisis and a financial crisis and while it may or may not be enough, they have appropriated $175 billion thus far to keep our industry afloat. This $175 billion has been split into multiple allocations for different purposes and it comes on top of other programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program and the Medicare Accelerated Payment Program.

  Thankfully, due to the efforts of the RHC community and NARHC, RHCs have been largely included in these various programs.  Read More

• NARHC’s Educational OpportunitiesCertified RHC Professional (CRHCP) Training – Fall 2020

  Registration Opens August 1st, 2020

  This extensive ONLINE TRAINING will prepare the learner to successfully run a Rural Health Clinic. The learner will gain full spectrum, in-depth knowledge of basic rules, regulations, and laws regarding RHCs from this course. The roughly 10-15 study hours may be done nights, weekends, or whenever as long as it’s completed before Oct. 26, 2020. Those who complete the coursework & pass the final exam will be awarded the prestigious CRHCP credential.

  * * * *

  Introduction to RHCs Course

  Registration Always Open!

  This brief course is an orientation tool to learn about RHC basics. It’s a high-level overview of managing RHC vs Non-RHC, best practices for RHC managers, understanding the value of being a RHC, the history of the RHC program, and how the NARHC came to be.

  COST: NARHC Member FREE! Non-Member $50 Read More

• CMS Videos, Webinars & MLN Matters of Note
  • Medicare Coverage & Payment of Virtual Services for Telehealth – Video from CMS
  • Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities – The latest information can be found in the MLN Matters Article SE20011

  Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 – Webinar, Friday, May 15, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM Eastern Read More

• In Case You Missed It…NARHC is Hard At Work

  These are certainly extraordinary times. Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic these past few months has been and continues to be very challenging for everyone, especially those of us in RHCs. Keeping abreast of ever-changing legislation and guidance is more imperative now than ever! Just know that NARHC is here for you, we’ve got your back, and continue to advocate on behalf of all RHCs.

  Check the “News” tab on the narhc.org website frequently for the latest RHC news and like our FB page. Pay attention to dates on the news tab articles–guidance changes frequently. Here are a few from the last month. Read More\

• Nominations Sought for the Ron Nelson AwardNARHC’S HIGHEST HONOR

  NARHC’s Annual Award recognizes and honors an outstanding leader and promoter of RHCs in the spirit of Ron Nelson. Nominate individuals who have dedicated their time and talent as he did to advancing the health and well-being of others through the RHC program.

  Nominations will be accepted from NARHC members through June 30th. Recipients though do not have to be NARHC members. This sign of our deep appreciation and national distinction will be awarded at the NARHC Annual Meeting in October. Learn more about this outstanding man, his accomplishments & the award, Read More

• Discover the Online World of NovitasphereNovitas, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Jurisdiction H and Jurisdiction L, offers many ways to conduct your day-to-day Medicare business through Novitasphere, our free, secure internet portal. Novitasphere offers a world of timesaving features and easily connects you directly to Novitas Solutions in order receive instant access to:
  • Obtain beneficiary eligibility and obtain the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI)
  • Submit claims and retrieve electronic claim reports
  • Check claim status
  • Retrieve and print remittance advices
  • Perform claim corrections and report claims as billed in error
  • Submit appeal requests
  • And much more!

  Read More

• 2020 NARHC Fall InstituteSheraton Phoenix Downtown

  Phoenix, Arizona

  October 26-28, 2020 (M-W noon)

  The conference “for & about” RHCs

  NARHC is closely monitoring the evolution of the Coronavirus and we are hopeful that we will be able to hold the live conference in October. Watch for more details to be posted at a later date. Read More

• THROW YOUR HAT IN THE RING2021 NARHC Board of Director Candidates Sought

  If you would be interested in running for the 2021 NARHC Board of Directors, we’re looking for a few dynamic leaders!

  There will be 3 openings for the 3-year term that starts Jan. 1, 2021. These positions are voted upon by the NARHC membership at the Annual Meeting held in Phoenix in Oct. & via absentee ballot beforehand.

  You must be affiliated with a current NARHC member RHC or organization in order to run and serve. Application deadline is June 30. Read More

• Addition of the QW ModifierPROCEDURE CODING SYSTEM (HCPCS) CODE U0002 AND 87635

  This article informs you about the addition of the QW modifier to HCPCS code U0002 (2019-

  nCoV Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19), any technique, multiple types or

  subtypes (includes all targets), non-CDC) and 87635 [Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid

  (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus

  disease [COVID-19]), amplified probe technique]. Read More

May 1, 2020

Here is a summary of recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) actions taken in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), as part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, click here www.coronavirus.gov. For information specific to CMS, please visit the CMS News Room and Current Emergencies Website. CMS updates these resources on an ongoing basis throughout the day; the information below is current as of  May 1, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic

Building on its recent historic efforts to help the U.S. healthcare system manage the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS issued another round of sweeping regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver expanded care to the nation’s seniors and provide flexibility to the healthcare system as America reopens. These changes include making it easier for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to get tested for COVID-19 and continuing CMS’s efforts to further expand beneficiaries’ access to telehealth services. The temporary changes will apply immediately for the duration of the Public Health Emergency declaration.

• Press Release
• Additional Information

CMS Announces Independent Commission to Address Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes 

CMS announced a new independent Commission that will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission will help inform efforts to safeguard the health and quality of life of vulnerable Americans as CMS continues to battle COVID-19 as well as prepare for future threats to resident safety and public health. This unprecedented effort builds on the agency’s five-part plan unveiled last April to ensure safety and quality in America’s nursing homes, as well as recent CMS efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 within these facilities.

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet

New Frequently Asked Questions on EMTALA

CMS issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) clarifying requirements and considerations for hospitals and other providers related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAQs address questions around patient presentation to the emergency department, EMTALA applicability across facility types, qualified medical professionals, medical screening exams, patient transfer and stabilization, telehealth, and other topics.

•  Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance Available on Telehealth and HHS-Operated Risk Adjustment for Individual and Small Group Health Insurance Health Plans

In response to the increased need for providing telehealth due to COVID-19, CMS has given additional consideration to telehealth services in HHS-operated risk adjustment for issuers in the individual and small group health insurance markets inside and outside the Marketplaces. CMS’ new guidance clarifies which telehealth services are valid for HHS-operated risk adjustment data submission in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Clinician: CMS Adds New COVID-19 Clinical Trials Improvement Activity to the Quality Payment Program

CMS issued a letter thanking clinicians for their ongoing efforts to treat patients and combat COVID-19 and shared additional details on the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) improvement activity. As announced earlier this month, clinicians who participate in a COVID-19 clinical trial and report their findings to a clinical data repository or registry many now earn credit in MIPS under the Improvement Activities performance category for the 2020 performance period by attesting to this new activity.

• Dear Clinician Letter

CMS Gives States Additional Flexibility to Address Coronavirus Pandemic

CMS has approved 140 requests for state relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including recent approvals for Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming. These approvals help to ensure that states have the tools they need to combat COVID-19 through a wide variety of waivers, amendments, and Medicaid state plan flexibilities, including for programs that care for the elderly and people with disabilities. CMS developed a toolkit to expedite the application and review of each request and has approved these requests in record time. These approved flexibilities support President Trump’s commitment to a COVID-19 response that is locally executed, state managed, and federally supported.

• Section 1135 Waivers
• Section 1115(a) Waivers
• 1915(c) Waiver Appendix K Amendments
• Medicaid State Plan Amendments
• CHIP State Plan Amendments