Rural Spotlight

Upcoming Webinar – Rural Definitions and Data: Changes after the 2020 Census

October 6, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Rural Definitions and Data: Changes after the 2020 Census

This RHIhub webinar on October 17, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT, highlights recent changes in rural definitions from the Census Bureau and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the impact on rural data, and how it may affect rural areas’ eligibility for federal funding.

This webinar is free. High-speed internet is required to participate. A recording will be available on the RHIhub website after the live event. Connection details will be emailed to you immediately upon registration.

If you have questions or problems with the registration process, please contact RHIhub Webinars at webinars@ruralhealthinfo.org.

When: October 17, 2023, 12; 00 p.m. CT

Register Here

New in Rural Monitor – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

October 6, 2023

New in Rural Monitor – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

The Rural Monitor is a publication of the Rural Health Information Hub. Its focus is on healthcare and population health in rural communities. Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations discusses how rural hospitals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attempts to penetrate information systems to create havoc, steal data, or hold information “hostage” for a monetary ransom. Two Critical Access Hospital leaders discuss attacks at their organizations and how they are working to prevent future attacks. An information technology compliance expert also highlights actions organizations can take to better protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

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Upcoming Webinar – Do Not Let Revenue Cycle Make Your Head Spin

October 5, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Do Not Let Revenue Cycle Make Your Head Spin

When: Wednesday, October 25, 12:00 – 1:00 CT

Join Rebecca Mankin, of Mankin Consultants, and the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) as Rebecca dives into revenue cycle management and provides solutions for maximizing revenue.

By the end of this webinar participants will:

  • Understand that revenue cycle management excellence is paramount
  • Increase confidence in the SWOT Analysis and understand problem areas and prioritize solutions to the problem
  • Be able to identify common revenue cycle management problems
  • Know the top reasons for medical billing denials
  • Recognize best practices for addressing denials and rejections

Who Should Attend?

  • Critical access Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics
    • Front Office Staff
    • Schedulers
    • Office Managers
    • Providers
    • CEOs
    • CFOs
    • COOs
    • Revenue Officers

When: Wednesday, October 25, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Register Now

This project is supported by the Health Resources Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,513,826 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. This training was made possible through the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) grant.

Upcoming Webinar – Advancing Rural Health Equity through Partnerships, Data and Finance

October 3, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Advancing Rural Health Equity through Partnerships, Data and Finance

Mark your calendars for October 18, 2:00 – 5:00 pm. ET. Various factors make meeting rural health needs difficult, from a lack of access to health facilities, services, and professionals to challenging financing systems and payment models. Despite persistent barriers, rural health innovators are building cross-sector partnerships, leveraging data to set priorities and track outcomes, and shifting funding models to ensure rural residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

Join the Urban Institute and Partners for Rural Transformation for a discussion about challenges and solutions for advancing rural health equity. Speakers will describe the state of rural health in America and highlight community-driven solutions, showcasing promising service and partnership models and financing practices. Practitioners nationwide will share how they leverage partnerships, data, and funding to meet the health needs of diverse rural populations and regions.

This is a hybrid event, you may attend in person or virtually.

Where: Urban Institute, 500 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC

When: Wednesday, October 18, 2 – 5 p.m. ET

Register Now

Upcoming Webinar – Innovating Rural Health: Technology as a Catalyst for Change – October 18, 2023

October 3, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Innovating Rural Health: Technology as a Catalyst for Change – October 18, 2023

The Rural Telementoring UnConference 2023 is a FREE, virtual event that will feature an array of brief presentations on rural health and Telementoring, followed by group discussion, idea generation, and collaboration.

Unlike traditional conference, where the agenda is predetermined and there is limited opportunity for interaction and conversation, an UnConference provides structure that facilitates sharing experiences, idea generation, and partnership building in pursuit of shared goals.

The overall intent of this UnConference is to foster new, collaborative teams and networks and generate ideas to improve rural health. If you have any questions, please contact RTTCinfo@uthscsa.edu.

When: Wednesday, October 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Register Here

Now Open – National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Apply Now

September 26, 2023

Now Open – National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Apply Now

The 2024 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Application cycle is open through December 7, 2023.

If you are a student in your last year of medical, nursing, or dental school, you may be eligible to receive loan repayment assistance from the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (NHSC S2S LRP).

In return, you provide at least three years of service at an NHSC approved site in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).

Benefits of the S2S LRP:

  • Service
    • By joining thousands of NHSC participants across the country, you have an opportunity to provide primary health services to communities in need.
  • Loan Repayment
    • You will receive funds to repay your outstanding, qualifying, educational loans.
      • NHSC loan repayment funds are exempt from federal income and employment taxes.
      • You will receive up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds payable in four annual installments (up to $30,000 per year) as long as you meet program requirements.
      • In return, you agree to provide three years of full-time clinical practice at an NHSC approved site in a HPSA. (Full time clinical practice means at least 40 hours per week, for at least 45 weeks of service each service year.)
  • Complete Repayment of Qualifying Loans
    • Once you complete the initial three-year service contract, you may be eligible to apply for additional loan repayment funds to pay any remaining educational loans through one-year continuation service contracts.
      • There is no guarantee that you will receive a continuation contract.

Application and Program Guidance

Application Process, Requirements and Guidance

Learn More

Start Your Application

 

NRHA Webinar – Defending Rural Hospitals from AI-Driven Cyber Threats: Insights, Policies, and Responses, Tuesday, October 31, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

September 25, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Defending Rural Hospitals from AI-Driven Cyber Threats: Insights, Policies, and Responses, Tuesday, October 31, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Discover how AI is impacting the evolving landscape of cybersecurity as cybercriminals use AI advancements to launch new and sophisticated attacks on rural hospitals. This comprehensive session, led by John Gomez, an industry expert with three decades of experience, will delve deep into the challenges and best practices for implementing and securing AI systems in rural healthcare settings. Participants will engage in three AI attack scenarios that you can take back to your teams to test and train responses. By the session’s end, attendees will be equipped to craft AI-specific policies, know how to recognize AI-specific threats like fake ChatGPT sites, and establish a robust AI baseline for their rural healthcare institutions.

When: Tuesday, October 31, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care, Thursday, October 12, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

September 25, 2023

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care, Thursday, October 12, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

In this webinar, Sarah Hull FNP, WCC, DWC will present valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing wound care management in Critical Access hospitals.

Participants will explore innovative approaches to chronic wound care, emphasizing the advantages of localized and cost-effective treatments. Sarah Hull will shed light on the benefits of incorporating advanced wound care therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including the significance of local wound care services, the effectiveness of advanced wound care therapies, and actionable steps for transforming your wound care center into a financial success. Attendees can expect to gain practical tips and best practices from Sarah Hull to maximize the fiscal potential of their wound care services.

  • Join us for this informative session to enhance your wound care practices and contribute to better healthcare outcomes while optimizing financial sustainability.

When: Thursday, October 12, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey, Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

September 25, 2023

NRHA Webinar – First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey, Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

In the “First-Ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey” webinar, we will delve into groundbreaking survey results which boasted 4x the number of rural respondents compared to the largest current survey on the topic. This pivotal discussion will be led by Opal Greenway, Principal at Stroudwater Associates. As a seasoned healthcare and finance expert with a rich background in physician compensation, strategic healthcare needs, and regulatory compliance, Opal brings unparalleled insight to the table.

During this webinar, participants will:

  • Discover the findings of this inaugural rural-focused compensation survey.
  • Understand how affiliation with a health system influences compensation.
  • Gain insights into how compensation competitiveness varies across state practice environments, guided by Opal’s extensive experience in analyzing physician compensation structures and advising healthcare entities on market trends and regulations.

When: Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Funding Opportunity – Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program Applications – HRSA-24-051 – Due by October 10

September 22, 2023

Funding Opportunity – Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program Applications – HRSA-24-051 – Due by October 10

The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program HRSA-24-051 is an opportunity to apply for continuation awards to support maintenance of filled resident Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions that are funded by HRSA under announcement HRSA-20-011 for an additional four years.

The purpose of the THCGME opportunity is to provide funding to support the training of residents in primary care residency training programs in community-based ambulatory patient care centers.

Funding through this opportunity will support maintenance of approved HRSA-funded resident positions for existing HRSATHCGME Program payment recipients only.

Applications seeking support for an expanded number of resident FTE positions and/or establishment of new resident FTE positions will not be considered under this notice.

Awards mad through this notice may be used to support the costs associated with resident FTE training only.

An eligible entity is a current THCGME Program payment recipient that was awarded funding under HRSA-20-011.

Applications are due by October 10, 2023.

Contact HRSA: Kristin Gordon, kgordon@hrsa.gov, (301) 443-0337

Learn More

Apply Here