Rural Spotlight

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, July 19 – Addressing Patient Surges and Rising Costs in Healthcare

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, July 19 – Addressing Patient Surges and Rising Costs in Healthcare

Wednesday, July 19, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Discover the transformative power of telemedicine in rural healthcare and hear firsthand experiences from AdventHealth Murray Medical Center and AdventHealth Gordon as they share how telemedicine revolutionized their operations, improving sustainability and community service despite fiscal challenges.

Join Jason Povio, President and COO of Eagle Telemedicine, and Dr. Joseph Joyave, CMO and Medical Director for AdventHealth Medical Group, as they discuss their successful strategies. Povio, with his diverse background in systems engineering and healthcare, and Dr. Joyave, a practicing pediatrician and administrative leader, bring valuable perspectives from their unique professional journeys.

During this webinar, you will learn how telemedicine can mitigate fiscal and operational challenges in rural healthcare settings, strategies to reduce patient transfer rates, and address specialty physician gaps using telemedicine. Gain insight into leveraging telemedicine for cost-effective recruitment and round-the-clock patient care.

Register Here

Inflation Reduction Act Continues to Lower Out-of-Pocket Prescription Costs for Drugs with Price Increases Above Inflation

June 12, 2023

Inflation Reduction Act Continues to Lower Out-of-Pocket Prescription Costs for Drugs with Price Increases Above Inflation

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the list of 43 prescription drugs for which Part B beneficiary coinsurances may be lower between July 1 – September 30, 2023. Some people with Medicare who take these drugs may save between $1 and $449 per average dose starting July 1, depending on their individual coverage.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program is one of the many important tools Medicare has to address rising drug costs. By reducing coinsurance for some people with Part B coverage and discouraging drug companies from increasing prices faster than inflation, this policy may lower out-of-pocket costs for some people with Medicare and reduce Medicare program spending for costly drugs.

CMS has released information about these 43 Part B drugs and biological products in the quarterly Average Sales Price (ASP) public files, available here. A fact sheet is available here

See the initial guidance detailing the requirements and procedures for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program here

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, June 21 – Reducing Workplace Violence in Your Rural Hospital

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, June 21 – Reducing Workplace Violence in Your Rural Hospital

Wednesday, June 21, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

In a time when the behavioral health crisis and socioeconomic strains continue to challenge our healthcare system, the safety of caregivers in healthcare settings is more critical than ever. This educational webinar is designed for healthcare executives seeking to bolster caregiver safety and promote a culture of safety, particularly in resource-limited rural hospitals.

Join Chief Nursing Officer Jeremy Cannon, a National Rural Health Association Fellow, as he shares his experiences with VersaBadge technology, demonstrating its transformative effects on caregiver safety and workflow efficiency through the use of discreet, wearable badges. Angie Anderson, VersaBadge’s Director of Client Success, uses her decade-long healthcare experience to provide a unique perspective on the challenges caregivers face in rural communities. Alongside her, Elizabeth Kane, another VersaBadge Director of Client Success, capitalizes on her healthcare technology and economics background to devise practical, tailored solutions that elevate healthcare facility performance.

This webinar promises a wealth of valuable insights, empowering attendees with practical strategies to mitigate workplace violence, enhance caregiver safety, and foster a secure hospital environment. Gain firsthand knowledge of early intervention and de-escalation techniques, effective implementation of staff safety programs, and ways to foster a safety-centric culture in healthcare facilities of all sizes.

Register Here

NRHA Partner Webinar – Thursday, June 15 Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

When: Thursday, June 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on assisting patients to transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the total resources of the Critical Access Hospital, and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states, including independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients, representing over 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average increase in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical, a growing patient population. Only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of fewer than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others.”

Register Here

MBQIP Data Reporting Reminders – June 2023

June 12, 2023

MBQIP Data Reporting Reminders – June 2023

Important Notice

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

July 31, 2023

Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC)

  • Patients seen Q2 2023 (April, May, June)
  • Submission process directed by state Flex Program

August 1, 2023

CMS Population and Sampling (optional)*

  • Patients seen Q1 2023 (January, February, March)
  • Inpatient** and outpatient
  • Entered via the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) HARP account

 August 1, 2023

CMS Outpatient Measures:

  • Patients seen Q1 2023 (January, February, March)
  • CMS Hospital Outpatient Reporting Specifications Manual version 0a 
  • Submitted to HQR via CART or by vendor.
  • CART version – 22.0

August 15, 2023

CMS Inpatient Measures**:

  • Patients seen Q1 2023 (January, February, March)
  • CMS Hospital Inpatient Reporting Specifications Manual version 13
  • Submitted to HQR via CART or by vendor
  • CART version – 30.1

*Population and sampling refers to the recording of the number of cases that meet the initial measure set population requirement and the number of cases the hospital is submitting to Hospital Quality Reporting thru a HARP account for the quarter.

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

 

 

 

June 2023 MBQIP Now Available

June 12, 2023

June 2023 MBQIP 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.

June 2023 content:

  • CAHs Can! QI Mentor Stories – Building a Quality Warehouse
  • Data: CAHs Measure Up – Health Care Disparities in Rural Areas – A Data Driven Approach
  • Tips: Robyn Quips – CMS Data Element Change
  • Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

State Health Assessment Listening Sessions

June 8, 2023

State Health Assessment Listening Sessions

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will hold State Health Assessment listening sessions scheduled in Cape Girardeau, Kennett and Poplar Bluff next week. These are crucial to the Public Health Accreditation in which DHSS is currently engaging collaborations.

The sessions are open to the general public and participants will receive a free meal and a $25 Walmart gift card.

When and Where:

  • Poplar Bluff, Chamber of Commerce, 1111 West Pine St., 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Meal served at 11:30 a.m.
  • Cape Girardeau, GPC Library – Geraldine Fitzgerald Room, 11 N. Clark St.,6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Meal served at 5:30 p.m.
  • Kennett, First Presbyterian Church, 222 N. Main St., 6 – 7:30 p.m., Meal served at 5:30 p.m.

Click Here to Register or

Scan QR Code below to Register:

 

For problems registering please contact Brian Houston, houstonjb@missouri.edu

Facebook event links:

We appreciate your participation!

Modification to PMHCA Funding Opportunity – HRSA-23-081

June 9, 2023

Modification to PMHCA Funding Opportunity – HRSA-23-081

Please note that the notice of funding opportunity for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) Program has been modified. Modifications have been made to eligibility criteria and to award amounts. The new application due date is June 22, 2023.

There are three types of awards available through this funding opportunity:

  1. Competing continuation awards
    • Eligible “competing continuation” applicants are entities that received an award in FY 2018 and 2019 and whose project period is ending. View the list of all currently funded PMHCA projects.
    • Up to $700,000 per award
  1. New applicants with previous HRSA PMHCA implementation experience
    • Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions of states, territories, and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations not currently funded in FY 2021 or 2022.
    • Up to $700,000 per award
  1. New applicants with no prior HRSA PMHCA implementation experience
    • New applicants with no prior HRSA PMHCA experience: Eligible applicants include States, political subdivisions of states, territories, and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations not currently funded in FY 2021 or 2022.
    • NOTE: Tribes and tribal organizations that are located within the geographic boundaries of states with existing awards are eligible to apply for new awards.)
    • Up to $500,000 per award

To view and access this modified opportunity package, please see:

The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) NOFO (HRSA-23-081)

  • Click on “Package”
  • Click on “Preview”
  • Click on “Download Instructions”

For questions related to the PMHCA Program, please contact Madhavi Reddior Jordanna Snyder.

For help with your application, watch our April 20, 2023 PMHCA Pre-Application TA Webinar #1.  This webinar is for both new and competing continuation applicants.

New applicants can watch our April 26, 2023 PMHCA Pre-Application TA Webinar #2.

Providing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients Using Telehealth

June 7, 2023

Providing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients Using Telehealth

Telehealth can help improve access to quality care. Using telehealth appointments allows for a safe, convenient way for LGBTQ+ patients to access health care. Visit this page to learn best practices and access resources for providing quality LGBTQ+ telehealth care.

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Supporting Patients with Remote Patient Monitoring

June 7, 2023

Supporting Patients with Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a growing telehealth practice that allows health care providers to monitor a patient’s health from their own home. Providers can support patients in managing acute and chronic conditions and it can cut down on patients’ travel costs.  Learn more about how to use remote patient monitoring and about billing and reimbursement.

Learn More