Rural Spotlight

Webinar: Practical Guidance for Predictive Flow: How University Health is Improving ED + Inpatient Throughput, March 11

March 4, 2026

Webinar: Practical Guidance for Predictive Flow: How University Health is Improving ED + Inpatient Throughput, March 11

Emergency departments often set the pace for the entire hospital. When admitted patients board for hours, the downstream effects strain staffing, delay discharges and erode capacity. University Health is addressing this challenge by strengthening the connection between ED operations and inpatient flow using real-time and predictive intelligence layered on its EHR.

In this 30-minute session, leaders from University Health share how the organization is evolving its approach to ED and inpatient throughput – moving beyond reactive bed management toward more predictable daily operations.

Attendees will hear how early signals from the ED now help inpatient teams plan placement sooner, run more focused huddles and align staffing to anticipated demand before units reach capacity.

Insights include:

  • Why ED flow is a critical lever for unlocking inpatient capacity,
  • How early ED visibility supports better admission and discharge planning,
  • How predictive insights improve staffing decisions and huddle routines, and
  • What effective operations – IT collaboration looks like in practice.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Training Opportunity: Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp, Starts April 29

March 4, 2026

Training Opportunity: Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp, Starts April 29

This course will take early childcare stakeholders through the Community Change process. The Community Change process involves 5 phases: assessment, planning, acting, evaluating, sustaining. The course will explore each of these phases in terms of early childcare. This highly interactive series consists of 8 virtual sessions, peer to peer learning and a final project. The final project will be built along the way.

Participants should expect to spend 2 hours in each session and 1 hour between sessions each week. Participants must commit to attend at least 7 out of 8 of the classes and the completion of a final project. Individuals will earn a certificate of completion. This class is open to anyone in the North Central Region (IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, MI, MO, OH, ND, NE, SD, WI), but is highly recommended for:

  • Business Leaders,
  • Economic Developers,
  • Extension Professionals,
  • Child Care Directors,
  • Child Care Educators,
  • Child Care Community Advocates,
  • Civic Leaders and Employers

Class Schedule:

Classes meet Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

  • April 29 – Introduction to Early Child Care Data
  • May 6 – Understanding Your Community’s Early Child Care Story
  • May 13 – Creating Your Community’s Report Card
  • May 20 – Leveraging Community Assets to Lead Early Child Care Change
  • May 27 – Introduction to Collective Impact for Early Child Care Change
  • June 3 – Introduction to Ripple Effects Mapping for Early Child Care
  • June 10 – Becoming An Early Child Care Advocate in the U.S.
  • June 17 – NO CLASS/WORK ON FINAL PROJECT
  • June 24 – Class Final Project Showcase

Cost: Free

This project is made possible through a fellowship grant from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD).

Click Here to Register

2026 Hospital IQR Program Resources

March 4, 2026

2026 Hospital IQR Program Resources

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Inpatient and Outpatient Healthcare Quality Systems Development and Program Support has announce that calendar year 2026 Hospital IQR Program resources are now available.

These resources are available on the QualityNet and/or Quality Reporting Center webpages as noted below:

Hospital IQR Program Measures – Click Here to access these guides:

  • Hospital IQR Program Measures
    • Lists the measures included in the Hospital IQR Program, the data source, where data are submitted, and a link to the measure specification.
  • Acute Care Hospital Quality Improvement Program Measures
    • Lists the measures in the Hospital Quality Reporting programs and the measurement period, including publicly reported measures.

Web-Based Data Collection – click Here to access these guides:

  • Hospital IQR Program Quick Reference Guide: Fiscal Year 2027 Web-Based Measures
    • Provides guidance and helpful tips to submit the Maternal morbidity, Age Friendly Hospital, and Patient Safety Structural measures and the Data Accuracy and Completeness Acknowledgement

The guides listed below provide information and examples to assist and support hospital responses to the statements included in each of the measures.

  • Attestation Guide for the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure
  • Patient Safety Structural Measure Specifications and Attestation Guide
  • Age Friendly Hospital Measure Specifications and Attestation Guide

Participation Guides – Click Here to access these guides:

  • Hospital IQR Program Guide
    • Outlines the Hospital IQR Program participation requirements, including validation, and information about measures, data submission, and public reporting.
  • Important Dates and Deadlines
    • Provides the upcoming submission deadlines

Notice of Participation – Click Here to access these guides:

  • Notice of Participation (NOP) Quick Reference Guide
    • Explains the NOP requirement and how to complete the form

Resources – Click Here to access these guides:

  • Hospital IQR Program: Summary of Fiscal Year 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule Changes
    • Provides a high-level overview of the proposed changes that were finalized in the final year 2026 IPPS final rule

Tools and Resources – Click Here to access these guides:

  • Submission Requirements and Accessing and Using Your Provider Participation Report (PPR)
    • Provides step-by-step guidance on how to access and navigate through the Hospital IQR Program submissions dashboard and the PPR
  • Quick Support Reference Card
    • Provides the different resources that are available for the Hospital IQR Program
  • CMS Quality Reporting & Payment Programs Overview
    • Provides a high-level summary of the different CMS Hospital Quality Reporting and Pay-for-Performance Programs

For assistance regarding this information, please contact Inpatient and Outpatient Healthcare Quality Systems Development and Program Support at: https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/qnet_qa?id=ask_a_question

 

 

MRHA Webinar: Missouri Psychiatry Consultation Programs, May 21

March 4, 2026

MRHA Webinar: Missouri Psychiatry Consultation Programs, May 21

Join the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) for an informative session on Missouri’s psychiatry consultation programs designed to expand access to mental health care for children, adolescents, and perinatal individuals.

This webinar will explore the mental health challenges commonly faced by pediatric and perinatal populations and offer a clear overview of the services provided through the Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Project (MO-CPAP) and the Maternal Health Access Project (MHAP). Participants will learn when and how to refer patients, what support these programs can offer, and how they help bridge gaps in mental health access across Missouri.

Target Audience:

Providers serving pediatric and perinatal patients with mental health needs.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, May 21, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Application Now Open

March 3, 2026

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Application Now Open

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is accepting applications for three loan repayment programs.

Primary care, dental, or mental and behavioral health providers working at NHSC-approved sites can receive up to $100,000 to help pay off student loans.

Compare programs and learn more about eligible disciplines, site types, and service commitment.

Click Here to Apply by March 31, 7:30 p.m. ET

Nurses Can Apply for Loan Repayment Now

March 3, 2026

Nurses Can Apply for Loan Repayment Now

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program application is open.

Registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses working full-time at an eligible public or private critical shortage facility, or nurse faculty at an eligible school of nursing can pay off 60% of their nursing education debt with two years of service.

Apply by Thursday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. ET

HRSA Launches New Data Resources to Support Health Workforce Planning

March 3, 2026

HRSA Launches New Data Resources to Support Health Workforce Planning

HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) released three new data resources to support health workforce planning in 2026:

Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extension

March 3, 2026

Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extension

Recent legislation authorized an extension of many Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. This includes:

  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements,
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services,
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to serve as distant site providers,
  • Delaying in-person requirements for tele-mental health services, and
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth.

Click Here to Visit Telehealth.HHS.gov to Learn More

HRSA Requests Feedback on 340B Rebate Model Pilot, Comment by April 20

March 3, 2026

HRSA Requests Feedback on 340B Rebate Model Pilot, Comment by April 20

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issue a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit stakeholder input regarding the potential use of rebates to effectuate the ceiling price under the 340B Program, including the standards and procedures that should govern the approval of manufacturer rebate plans and the impacts on all stakeholders.

This RFI seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and drug access for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.

To provide stakeholders additional time to submit meaningful comments for HRSA’s review in evaluating operational, financial, and potential impacts on access to drugs for patients under a rebate model, HRSA has extended the comment period from 30 days to 60 days. Feedback on the RFI is due no later than April 20, 2026.

In addition, in compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects of the Paperwork Reduction Act, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the Information Collection Request (ICR), related to a potential 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program.

Comments on this ICR should be received no later than April 27, 2026.

Click Here to Learn More and Comment on 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program,- April 20 deadline

Click Here to Learn More and Comment on Agency Information Collection Activities, April 27 deadline

Webinar: Healthcare at a Crossroads: Using Concierge Medicine to Strengthen Revenue, Retention + Patient Satisfaction, March 5

March 3, 2026

Webinar: Healthcare at a Crossroads: Using Concierge Medicine to Strengthen Revenue, Retention + Patient Satisfaction, March 5

Health systems are seeking practical ways to enhance revenue, improve physician satisfaction, increase patient satisfaction and retain top talent without disrupting existing business structures.

Flexible concierge medicine programs are emerging as a way to achieve these aims. These programs operate alongside traditional practice structures, allowing organizations to add a new revenue stream while preserving current workflows, staffing and governance – while also addressing growing patient demand for connectivity, continuity and more personalized care.

This session offers an overview of how healthcare organizations are offering membership medicine as an optional service. Patients can choose to remain traditional patients or opt into a membership based on their preferences, creating flexibility for both patients and practices and supporting higher patient satisfaction through choice and experience.

The session will also explore how increased physician satisfaction contributes directly to stronger patient relationships, recruitment, retention and financial performance. Leaders will gain clarity on how concierge programs fit within large medical groups and health systems without requiring restructuring or limiting participation to primary care.

Key takeaways include:

  • How flexible concierge programs enhance revenue while improving patient satisfaction – without changing business structure,
  • Why optional membership models appeal to patients seeking greater continuity,
  • How physician satisfaction supports better patient experiences, recruitment, retention and practice stability, and
  • Where concierge medicine fits within large, integrated healthcare organizations.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register