Rural Spotlight

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Missouri Health Care Workforce Project, July 10

June 17, 2025

Upcoming MRHA Webinar: Missouri Health Care Workforce Project, July 10

Join the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) for an insightful session on the Missouri Health Care Workforce Project (MHCWP), an initiative designed to provide critical workforce analysis to support policymakers, healthcare professionals, and educators in addressing Missouri’s healthcare workforce needs.

This session will:

  • Introduce key concepts of public health Minimum Data Set (MDS),
  • Explore challenges and benefits of workforce data integration, and
  • Demonstrate how stakeholders can utilize the MHCWP web tool to assess shortages, maldistribution, and workforce supply and demand.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how workforce data informs policy decisions, impacts healthcare access, and supports strategic planning across Missouri.

The session will also cover federal and state trends in workforce analysis and integration, equipping participants with actionable insights to navigate and influence healthcare workforce development.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, July 10, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Learn More and Join the Webinar

Upcoming Webinar: Real Data and Perspectives from FQHCs: Unpacking the Value of Generative AI to Solve Patient Access Needs, June 24

June 17, 2025

Upcoming Webinar: Real Data and Perspectives from FQHCs: Unpacking the Value of Generative AI to Solve Patient Access Needs, June 24

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are the linchpin of the healthcare safety net, providing access to care to underserved and often complex patient populations. With clinicians at FQHCs under unique pressures, leaders at these vital health systems are leveraging Abridge’ Ambient AI platform to reduce burnout and cognitive load while improving patient satisfaction and access to care – all while managing limited resources.

Join this webinar and learn how Abridge is purpose-built for the complexity of FQHC environments – supporting multilingual conversations across over 28 languages, and scaling across specialties from primary care and behavioral health to OB/GYN and cardiology. The platform delivers clinically meaningful, billable notes in real time, helping providers meet preventive care goals, improve operational efficiency, and deepen patient trust – regardless of language or specialty.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

On-Demand Webinar: Building Resilient HER Recovery Solutions: Inside LCMC Health’s Cloud Strategy

June 17, 2025

On-Demand Webinar: Building Resilient HER Recovery Solutions: Inside LCMC Health’s Cloud Strategy

As cyber threats evolve, health systems are redefining their recovery playbook – prioritizing resilience, speed and continuity of care.

In this session, health IT leaders unpack how Sapphire Health and LCMC Health built a cloud-based Isolated Recovery Environment on AWS. Attendees will learn how a well-architected IRE can protect critical data, accelerate recovery and reduce the risk of ransom demands.

Key Learning Points:

  • Where traditional backups fall short,
  • How LCMC Health built a cloud IRE to secure EHR recovery, and
  • Deployment best practices to futureproof EHR recovery strategy

Cost: Free

When: On-Demand

Click Here to Access On Demand Webinar

Free Compliance Checklist

June 17, 2025

Free Compliance Checklist

According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), over 40% of a hospital’s total patient care expenses are attributed to administrative costs, including regulatory burden.

This challenge is especially true for hospital pharmacies. Many do not have the staff, expertise, nor bandwidth needed to keep up with ongoing compliance needs amidst day-to-day patient care activities.

Are you prepared for the recent regulatory updates? Download the CPS Optimizer Quarterly Compliance Action Checklist, which serves as a quick, timely assessment to identify gaps, implement recommended corrective actions, and reduce regulatory risks.

Click Here to Learn More and Download CPS’ Free Compliance Checklist

MU CEHP Project Firstline On-Demand Learning Opportunities

June 17, 2025

MU CEHP Project Firstline On-Demand Learning Opportunities

The Missouri University Continuing Education for Health Professions (MU CEHP) has three Project Firstline events now available as on-demand video recordings.

  • Firstline Conference: Emerging Infectious Disease Threats – held in-person (Zoom): January 22, 2025
    • Responding to an emerging infections disease outbreak:
      • Primer for Outbreak Management and Infection Prevention
      • What Does it Mean to Recognize Risk
      • Enhanced Barrier Precautions
  • Community Facilitator Training – held in-person (Zoom): May 13, 2025
    • Unlock the full potential of Project Firstline materials to empower healthcare workers and foster a culture of safer, higher-quality care.
    • This training will equip you with the essential tools to educate and inspire your team to prevent infections among both patients and staff.
  • Infection Control Fundamentals – held in-person (Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center: June 5, 2025
    • Presentations include:
      • Where Germs Live-Body Reservoirs/Healthcare Environment Reservoirs/Body and Healthcare Environment Reservoirs: Synthesis
      • Emerging Infectious Disease Threats: Reducing Risk
      • PPE/Cleaning/Disinfection/Hand Hygiene

Cost: There is no fee to register, but you must register to receive educational credit.

When: On-Demand Access

Click Here to Register

CDC’s Suicide Prevention Communication Campaign Playbook

June 17, 2025

 

CDC’s Suicide Prevention Communication Campaign Playbook

Closing out Mental Health Awareness Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new resource for planning suicide prevention campaigns. The playbook includes:

  • Key Audience:
    • Tools for identifying specific populations at higher risk and their networks of influence.
  • Campaign Development:
    • Steps to design effective strategies, craft meaningful messages, and promote behavior change.
  • Behavior Models:
    • Insights into frameworks like the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory.
  • Messaging Best Practices:
    • Strategies to emphasize hope and resilience and use culturally relevant language.
  • Evaluation:
    • Tools to measure campaign impact and improve future efforts.

The latest data from the CDC show that rural residents are at a higher risk of suicide than urban residents and that rates of suicide almost doubled between 2000-2020 in rural areas.

Click Here to Read More

RHC & FQHC Care Coordination Services: HCPS Code G0511 Deadline Extended to September 30

June 17, 2025

RHC & FQHC Care Coordination Services: HCPS Code G0511 Deadline Extended to September 30

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the deadline for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to report individual CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) and HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) base and add-on codes for care coordination services instead of reporting HCPCS G0511 to September 30, 2025.

The additional time, extended from July 1, 2025, allows for RHCs and FQHCs to update billing systems following the policy change issued in the CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

Click Here to Learn More

More information on the CY 2025 payment rates for care coordination is available here and here.

Rural Health Research: Preventing Medical Debt Among Rural Residents: Example Programs from Hospitals in Minnesota and Montana

June 17, 2025

Rural Health Research: Preventing Medical Debt Among Rural Residents: Example Programs from Hospitals in Minnesota and Montana.

Medical debt, which includes unpaid bills, loans, and other debt incurred from health care expenses, affects roughly 15% of adults in the U.S. this is despite more than 90% of U.S. adults having some form of health insurance.

Medical debt is an important social driver of health, with disproportionate impacts for populations already experiencing greater health risks. Overall, rural residents report more problems paying medical bills and are more likely to be unable to pay their medical bills altogether in comparison to urban residents.

This case series from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines how two rural hospitals aim to reduce medical debt for their patient populations and address barriers to medical debt relief.

Click Here to Read More

HRSA Loan Repayment Programs Open

June 17, 2025

HRSA Loan Repayment Programs Open

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has three loan repayment programs open to support working health professionals. They include:

  • Faculty Loan Repayment Program – Apply by July 3, 7:30 p.m. ET
    • Provides up to $40,000in health professional student loan repayment to faculty who serve two years at an eligible health professions school.
  • Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP)– Apply by July 10, 7:30 p.m. ET
    • Provides up to $250,000 for a six-year, full-time service commitment.
    • The following are eligible to apply:
      • Behavioral health clinicians,
      • Support workers,
      • Clinical support staff, and
      • Individuals trained in substance use disorders
  • Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program– Apply by July 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
    • Provides up to $100,000 in exchange for a three-year, full-time service commitment.
    • Clinicians providing pediatric medical or surgical care or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care are eligible to apply.

Click Here to Learn More and Apply

DHSS Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 9, 2025

DHSS Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an event that seeks to unite communities around the world to raise awareness about elder abuse. In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, bullying and exploitation of some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals – the elderly and disabled. Last year, DHSS received and investigated 41,929 reports, an average of about 115 each day. That number is on the rise, though the crimes are vastly underreported.

“As people age, it can become increasingly difficult for them to stay involved and connected to their communities and families. As a result, older people are more likely to experience social isolation, which increases the likelihood of abuse, neglect and exploitation,” said Sarah Willson, director of DHSS.

Elder abuse is widespread. Every year an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation.

“This all-too-common tragedy impacts aging adults wherever they call home and in communities throughout Missouri,” says Willson.

Despite its prevalence, experts believe that elder abuse is significantly underreported, in part because so many communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. Sadly, research estimates that for every reported adult abuse or neglect case, 23 go unreported to the authorities.

Together, communities can address the issue of elder abuse and help prevent it by strengthening education and social support and by reducing social isolation.

Anyone who suspects a senior or disabled Missourian is being abused, neglected, bullied or exploited, should report to the Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210, which is operational from 7 a.m. through 8 p.m., 365 days a year. Online reporting is also available 24/7 at Health.Mo.Gov/abuse.

Everyone is encouraged to wear purple and communities across Missouri are encouraged to display World Elder Abuse Awareness Day banners, posters and yard signs along with purple ribbons, flags or pinwheels to bring awareness to this public health issue.

For more information about how to make a difference, visit Health.Mo.Gov/weaad.