Rural Spotlight

2024 NOSORH Rural Health Grant Writing Institute: Register by Friday, February 16

February 9, 2024

2024 NOSORH Rural Health Grant Writing Institute: Register by Friday, February 16

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) invites you to a unique learning experience where you can enhance your grant writing skills, turn rurality to your advantage, learn to connect with funders and more.

This virtual learning series is tailor-made for beginners aiming to develop the skills needed to research and draft winning program proposals from various funders.

The institute runs March 4 – April 29, 2024. Virtual learning sessions will take place Mondays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET

Curriculum Highlights:

  • Getting Started on Writing a Proposal
  • Developing a Strong Evaluation
  • How to Use Data to Make the Case for Rural
  • Finding Funding and other Resources to Support Your Proposal

Participants will benefit from:

  • Tools, templates and tips to assist in grant writing
  • Opportunities for
  • One-on-one support
  • Peer review
  • Discussion with other new and experience grant writers

Interested persons must register by Friday, February 16.

Cost: $750

Register Here

Telehealth & Prescribing

February 7, 2024

Telehealth & Prescribing

On January 31, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized rules for the prescribing of buprenorphine through the use of telehealth.

In these final rules, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) will be able to use telehealth to prescribe buprenorphine without an in-person visit.

It is important to note that these final rules are not in regard to using telehealth to prescribe a controlled substance in general. This is a very specific rule that applies to OTPs and the use of telehealth to prescribe buprenorphine with some additional applications specifically to methadone.

The broader policy of using telehealth to prescribe controlled substances without an in-person visit (or meeting one of the narrow exceptions found in federal statute) still remains a temporary allowance through the end of 2024.

Read Full Details

RHIhub This Week

February 7, 2024

RHIhub This Week

Click Here to Read the latest issue of RHIhub This Week

Request for Information (RFI) on Severe Maternal Morbidity Measurement

February 7, 2024

Request for Information (RFI) on Severe Maternal Morbidity Measurement

The Agency for Healthcare, Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a Request for Information (RFI) on Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM). AHRQ is seeking public input on the usability, feasibility and likely uptake of an SMM measure, produced through the Quality Indicators Program.

AHRQ invites stakeholders representing:

  • Consumers
  • State/Regional/Local Health Departments
  • Accountable Care Organizations
  • Community Health Centers
  • Birthing Centers
  • Providers/Health Systems
  • Critical Access/Rural Hospitals
  • Professional Associations
  • Payers
  • Rural and Community Groups
  • Community Health Groups
  • Community Health Workers
  • Doulas
  • Maternal Health Advocacy Groups
  • Researchers
  • Members of the Public

The comment period closes on March 4.

Still have questions? Please contact Judy George, Program Lead for AHRQ, judy.george@ahrq.hhs.gov

Submit comments to askahrq@ahrq.hhs.gov

HIPAA and Privacy Concerns: Telehealth Technology Considerations

February 6, 2024

HIPAA and Privacy Concerns: Telehealth Technology Considerations

The telehealth platform you use should meet HIPAA requirements.

All telehealth services provided by covered health care providers and health plans must comply with the HIPAA Rules.

This means only using technology vendors that comply with HIPAA Rules and will enter into HIPAA business associate agreements .

Resources:

Trainings by American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC)

Update on Efficiency of Store-and-Forward

February 6, 2024

Update on Efficiency of Store-and-Forward

Telehealth refers to a collection of methods to enhance health care delivery and education – it’s not a specific service.

Telehealth spans four distinct applications:

  • Live video
  • Store-and-forward
  • Remote patient monitoring
  • Mobile health

Store-and-forward is considered “asynchronous telehealth, a communication between parties that is not live.” It is a service rendered outside of a real-time or live interaction with a patient.

According to Telehealth.HHS.gov, asynchronous direct-to-patient telehealth can streamline patient workflows:

  • Standardized patient data
  • Flexibility
  • Efficient automated patient intake

Store-and-forward commonly used in:

  • Radiology
  • Pathology
  • Dermatology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Electronic consultations

Telehealth Resources

Registration is Open for the 2024 Missouri Immunization Conference, “Building Immunity in Missouri Communities”

February 5, 2024

Registration is Open for the 2024 Missouri Immunization Conference, “Building Immunity in Missouri Communities”

Don’t miss this enlightening and transformative experience as the Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC) gears up to host its much-anticipated annual Missouri Immunization Conference.

The purpose of the conference is to provide immunization education to increase immunization rates and protect all Missourians.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will self-report increased knowledge about:

  • Evidence-based strategies designed to address vaccine hesitancy, and combat misinformation
  • How state legislative actions play a role in Missouri’s immunization rates
  • Increasing number of vaccine exemptions and the potential community health implications

And, increased confidence in:

  • their ability to provide effective education by delivering a strong recommendation to patients when discussing vaccines
  • their ability to advocate for and effectively educate patients on vaccine preventable diseases

Target Audience

Public Health Professionals             Nurses                                                 Physicians

School Nurses                               Hospital & ambulatory staff                    Pharmacists

Advanced Practice Providers           Social Workers                                      Psychologists

Community Health Workers            Nursing Home Administrators                 LPHA/FQHC staff

Long-term care staff                      Health Professions Students                   Policy makers

When: April 25 – 26, Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia

Attendee Pricing:

  • $100 MIC members
  • $150 Non-MIC members
  • $25 Students eager to contribute to the future of healthcare

Exhibitor Pricing

  • $600 for-profit organizations
  • 300 nonprofit organizations

Register Here

Elevate Your Leadership in 2024

February 5, 2024

Elevate Your Leadership in 2024

The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) CEO Certification Program is launching the ninth CEO Cohort in March 2024.

Program Highlights

  • Comprehensive curriculum made by rural hospital CEOs for rural hospital CEOs
  • Practical strategies and effective tools to grow knowledge base and leadership confidence
  • Exclusive networking opportunities with rural healthcare industry experts and rural hospital leaders like you

Kick Off Date: March 12, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EST

Learn More

Apply Today

CMS Request for Information on Medicare Advantage Data – Comment by May 29

February 2, 2024

CMS Request for Information on Medicare Advantage Data – Comment by May 29

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks feedback on enhancing Medicare Advantage (MA) data capabilities and increase public transparency.

With over half of Medicare beneficiaries and 45% of rural beneficiaries enrolled in MA, transparency about the program has become increasingly important.

CMS is seeking information on common challenges and experiences in the MA program for which limited data are currently available.

  • Feedback may include:
    • Data-related recommendations related to beneficiary access to care
    • Prior authorization and utilization management strategies
    • Cost and utilization of supplemental benefits
    • All aspects of MA marketing and consumer decision making
    • Care quality and outcomes
    • Health equity
    • Market competition
    • Special populations
  • Who Should Comment:
    • Beneficiaries
    • Beneficiary advocates
    • Plans
    • Providers
    • Community-based organizations
    • Researchers
    • Employers
    • Unions
    • Public at large

Click Here to Learn More

Submit a Formal Comment