Rural Spotlight

NARHC Webinar: 2025 Proposed CMS Rules – What’s in the Rules for RHCs, August 15

August 9, 2024

NARHC Webinar: 2025 Proposed CMS Rules – What’s in the Rules for RHCs, August 15

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) will host this free webinar with details on the recently released Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Calendar Year 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule.

This annual regulatory update contains Rural Health Clinic (RHC) specific proposals to eliminate productivity standards, remove hemoglobin/hematocrit from the six required lab services, reform care management billing, and allow RHCs to bill for administration of part B preventive vaccines at time of service, among others.

Additional time for Q&A will be provided.

Advance registration is required.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, August 15, 2:00 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

Rural Health Research Gateway – The Low-Volume Hospital Adjustment Before and During COVID-19

August 9, 2024

Rural Health Research Gateway – The Low-Volume Hospital Adjustment Before and During COVID-19

This brief from the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center provides an update to a 2016 analysis of the profitability of low-volume rural Prospective Payment System hospitals under the Affordable Care Act’s qualifying criteria.

The Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) adjustment is for hospitals with fewer than 3,800 patient discharges in the previous year that are more than 15 miles from the nearest Inpatient Prospective Payment System acute care hospital.

Qualifying hospitals receive a payment adjustment up to an additional 25% for every Medicare patient discharge.

Click Here to Read the Brief

Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 7

August 9, 2024

Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 7

The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal opened July 1 and will remain open until September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from January 1 to June 30, 2023 must report on their use of funds during Reporting Period 7 to comply with PRF Reporting Requirements.

More information and resources can be found on the PRF Reporting webpage.

Upcoming Maternal Health and Health Workforce Meetings – September 10

August 8, 2024

Upcoming Maternal Health and Health Workforce Meetings – September 10

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Region 6 and 7 invite you to join the Maternal Health and Health Workforce meetings in September.

These meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 at the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation Training Room, in Sikeston, MO.

Maternal Health Meeting:

  • Tuesday, September 10, 9:30 a.m. – Noon
    • DAEOC Training Room
    • 203 N. New Madrid St
    • Rm Social 1919
    • Sikeston, MO

Click Here to Register for Maternal Health Meeting

Delta Health Workforce Meeting

  • Tuesday, September 10, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
    • DAEOC Training Room
    • 203 N. New Madrid St
    • Rm Social 1919
    • Sikeston, MO

Click Here to Register for Delta Health Workforce Meeting

Delta Grants 101 Workshop – September 11

August 8, 2024

Delta Grants 101 Workshop – September 11

The Delta Regional Authority and the Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs – Regions 6 and 7, invite you to a Grants 101 Workshop in Sikeston, Missouri.

Topics at a Glance

  • Federal grant application process
  • Federal and regional funding opportunities
  • Common Mistakes and Tips for Writing a Strong Application
  • Technical assistance and resources

Who Should Attend

  • Community and faith-based organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Health centers
  • Health and social services providers
  • Universities
  • Community colleges
  • Public health departments

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, September 11, 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

Where: Three Rivers Community College, 1400 South Main Street, Sikeston, MO

Click Here to Register and Save Your Spot

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

July 25, 2024

Utilization Data – CMS Adds 6 New Procedures to Comparison Tool

Medicare patients are more computer savvy and informed. Medicare continues to provide ways for patients to gain information to make informed decisions about where to obtain their care.

This month the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Medicare.gov compare tool pages for physicians and clinicians.

The following new procedures were added to the 12 new procedures released back in January 2024:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Arthroscopy – upper extremity
  • Arthroscopy – lower extremity
  • Varicose vein ablation
  • Laminectomy/laminotomy
  • Lower limb revascularization

Click Here for the CMS Care Compare – Doctors and Clinicans Initiative page.

Click Here to view the “Find & Compare Providers Near You” page for patients which provides comparisons of physicians, hospitals, nursing home, etc.

Free Recorded Webinar Series – Conducting Investigations

July 25, 2024

Free Recorded Webinar Series – Conducting Investigations

All healthcare organizations should have the ability to look into all complaints.

Not all complaints warrant a full investigation, but when an investigation is needed, even the most experienced run into roadblocks.

The American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC) has been sponsoring free webinars featuring Meric Craig Bloch, J.D., attorney, author and investigator.

A recording of recent webinars can be found in the new AIHC YouTube playlist entitled “Conducting Internal Investigations as a Forensic Auditor!”

Click Here to View the Recording

Hospital Services Research Brief

July 25, 2024

Hospital Services Research Brief

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and screening patients for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) is conducted by most hospitals and medical centers in the United States.

The article published by Health Services Research states that many hospitals do have programs or strategies to address HRSN and/or SDOH, but it remains unclear how these relate to use of data captured through the screening process.

Collection of social needs data may help inform the development of programs to strategies to address HRSN and SDOH. This, in turn, can enable providers to screen for these needs and use the data in the near term for care delivery and in the long term to address community and population needs.

Read the Brief

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

July 25, 2024

NRHA Launches New Go-To Resource for Rural Health Execs

The National Rural Health Administration has announced the launch of NRHASC.com, a new platform designed to provide rural health care executives with essential, rural proven resources for specific needs.

Developed by rural health care experts, this resource hub is focused exclusively on helping busy rural health care executives find solutions to the unique challenges they face.

This platform offers comprehensive coverage from policy updates to practical tools all in one easy-to-navigate site.

Click Here to go to NRHASC.com

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

July 25, 2024

DHSS Requests Public Comment on Missouri WIC State Plan for Upcoming Year

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is soliciting public comment on the proposed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 State Plan, which covers the period of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.

The State Plan describes the state agency’s objectives and procedures for all aspects of WIC program administration for the 2025 FFY.

Comment Submission:

All public comments are welcome and should be directed to:

  • WICinfo@health.mo.gov, or
  • Fax to 573 526-1470, or
  • Mail to Angie Oesterly
    • WIC and Nutrition Services
    • PO Box 570
    • 930 Wildwood Dr.
    • Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

All comments should be submitted by August 12, 2024. Comments will be included in the final copy of the plan, which must be submitted to the United State Department of Agriculture by August 15, 2024.

Click Here to access the State Plan