- Stop leaving money on the table
- Capitalize on our 40+ years of billing experience
- Maximize revenue capture and reimbursement
- Reduce your overall cost of billing
- Use our Certified Professional Coders as an extension of your facility
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Financial Excellence in Revenue Management
Are you struggling to keep your facility alive? We offer low cost solutions that allow you to improve cash flow and continue providing excellent care to rural communities.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Scholarships are available to attend the 4th annual Rural and Frontier EMS and Trauma Summit
Colorado Rural Health Center has limited funding available for scholarships to be used toward the cost of registration to attend the EMS & Trauma Summit in Breckenridge, Colorado August 11-13, 2010. This is the fourth installment in the Summit Series, presented by the Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation. This Summit will have something for everyone, from federal and state policy makers to local EMS managers and hospital administrators to individual EMTs.
If you would like to apply for a $200 scholarship, please email Ron Seedorf at rs@coruralhealth.org (subject line "Scholarship Application for EMS and Trauma Summit") with the following information:
To access an agenda and registration information, click here.
If you would like to apply for a $200 scholarship, please email Ron Seedorf at rs@coruralhealth.org (subject line "Scholarship Application for EMS and Trauma Summit") with the following information:
- Name of Applicant
- Name of Agency/Facility
- Address
- City/State/Zip
- Phone Number
- Email Address
To access an agenda and registration information, click here.
Funding for Emergency Medical & Trauma Services Education and Training
APPLY TODAY: Colorado Resource for Emergency And Trauma Education – CREATE
CREATE is a grant program designed to assist private and pulic organizations in improving and expanding emergency medical and trauma systems in Colorado. Eligible applicants must have as their purpose the provision of emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado to be eligible.
Visit us online: www.coruralhealth.org/programs/create
CREATE is a grant program designed to assist private and pulic organizations in improving and expanding emergency medical and trauma systems in Colorado. Eligible applicants must have as their purpose the provision of emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado to be eligible.
Visit us online: www.coruralhealth.org/programs/create
State Emergency and Medical Trauma Services Advisory Council
July 8, 2010; 10:30am-4:30pm
The next quarterly business meeting of the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council will be held Thursday, July 8, 2010.
The next quarterly business meeting of the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council will be held Thursday, July 8, 2010.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and EnvironmentThis is an open public meeting. A tentative meeting agenda is attached. Various committee, task force, and work group meetings will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, July 7-8, 2010. Please see the attached schedule for times and meeting rooms. All meetings are open to the public. For agendas and additional information, click here.
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver
Building A - Sabin/Cleere Room
AHRQ Advice for Hospitals on Emergency Evacuation, Assessment and Recovery
Two new guides are now available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to help hospital planners and administrators make important decisions about how to protect patients and health care workers and assess the physical components of a hospital when a natural or manmade disaster, terrorist attack, or other catastrophic event threatens the soundness of a facility.
The Hospital Evacuation Decision Guide was designed to provide hospital evacuation decision teams with organized and systematic guidance on how to consider the many factors that bear on the decision to order an evacuation, and assist decision teams in identifying some of the special situations, often overlooked, that may exist in their facility or geographic area that could affect the decision to evacuate.
The Hospital Assessment and Recovery Guide was designed to help organize the initial assessment of a hospital upon return after an evacuation/closure due to an emergency event.
The Hospital Evacuation Decision Guide was designed to provide hospital evacuation decision teams with organized and systematic guidance on how to consider the many factors that bear on the decision to order an evacuation, and assist decision teams in identifying some of the special situations, often overlooked, that may exist in their facility or geographic area that could affect the decision to evacuate.
The Hospital Assessment and Recovery Guide was designed to help organize the initial assessment of a hospital upon return after an evacuation/closure due to an emergency event.
Rural Hospitals have higher HCAHPS Ratings
Hospitals in rural areas have significantly higher ratings on HCAHPS measures than those located in urban areas. Within rural areas, hospitals in less densely populated rural areas (non-core) have significantly higher scores than those in more densely populated (micropolitan) areas. After controlling for hospital organizational factors, including hospital size and staffing, the
differences by rurality remain significant for all the HCAHPS measures except the patient recommendation of hospital measure.
differences by rurality remain significant for all the HCAHPS measures except the patient recommendation of hospital measure.
Rural Quality of Care for AMI Articles Released
The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center at the University of Washington is pleased to announce the release of the following publication and report:
Baldwin LM, Chan L, Andrilla CH, Huff ED, Hart LG. Quality of care for myocardial infarction in rural and urban hospitals. J Rural Health. Winter 2010;26(1):51-57.
Baldwin LM, Chan L, Andrilla CHA, Huff E, Hart LG. Quality of care for acute myocardial infarction: are the gaps between rural and urban hospitals closing? Final Report #118. Seattle, WA: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington, Mar 2010.
For further information on this work, contact Laura-Mae Baldwin at lmb@uw.edu.
Baldwin LM, Chan L, Andrilla CH, Huff ED, Hart LG. Quality of care for myocardial infarction in rural and urban hospitals. J Rural Health. Winter 2010;26(1):51-57.
Baldwin LM, Chan L, Andrilla CHA, Huff E, Hart LG. Quality of care for acute myocardial infarction: are the gaps between rural and urban hospitals closing? Final Report #118. Seattle, WA: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington, Mar 2010.
For further information on this work, contact Laura-Mae Baldwin at lmb@uw.edu.
CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum
July 20, 2010; 2pm ET
The Open Door calls are a great way to learn about key policy and program changes in Medicare payment. It also gives the opportunity for providers to ask specific questions about problems or concerns they have pertaining to CMS policies so bring your questions! Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to call start time.
Conference Leaders: Carol Blackford, John Hammarlund, Natalie Highsmith.
To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 83092839
Persons participating by phone are not required to RSVP. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
Encore: 1-800-642-1687 Conference ID# 83092839
Encore is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 and entering the Conference ID, beginning 2 hours after the call has ended. The recording expires after 3 business days.
For ODF schedule updates, E-Mailing List registration and Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
The Open Door calls are a great way to learn about key policy and program changes in Medicare payment. It also gives the opportunity for providers to ask specific questions about problems or concerns they have pertaining to CMS policies so bring your questions! Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to call start time.
Conference Leaders: Carol Blackford, John Hammarlund, Natalie Highsmith.
To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 83092839
Persons participating by phone are not required to RSVP. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
Encore: 1-800-642-1687 Conference ID# 83092839
Encore is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 and entering the Conference ID, beginning 2 hours after the call has ended. The recording expires after 3 business days.
For ODF schedule updates, E-Mailing List registration and Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
PECOS enrollment update - Enrollment must be current by Jan. 3, 2011
There has been much confusion in recent weeks regarding physician enrollment in PECOS, or the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System. Though the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently issued a final rule stating that the deadline for PECOS enrollment has been moved up to July 6, Medicare contractors have received no instructions regarding this change. Last week Trailblazer issued a statement indicating it will continue to process claims regardless of PECOS enrollment status through Jan. 2, 2011. Effective Jan. 3, 2011, if you do not have a current enrollment record in PECOS, your claims will be rejected. You can read the full notice on the Trailblazer website by clicking here. (Click "I accept" at the bottom of the first screen to access the document).
QHi Quality Education Session – Great Catches, Near Misses and Actual Incidents
July 8, 2010; 1:00 – 2:00 MTN
A QHi Quality Education Session is scheduled for Thursday, July 8 from 1:00 to 2:00 MTN Time. Darlene Bainbridge will present on “Great Catches, Near Misses and Actual Incidents”. All QHi users are invited to join the free webinar/conference call. To save costs we ask that multiple participants in a hospital join in one room to view the presentation.
Please click here to register (required) for the July 8 session. Following your registration a confirmation email will be sent to the email address entered into the registration form. This confirmation message contains connection information for the session.
A QHi Quality Education Session is scheduled for Thursday, July 8 from 1:00 to 2:00 MTN Time. Darlene Bainbridge will present on “Great Catches, Near Misses and Actual Incidents”. All QHi users are invited to join the free webinar/conference call. To save costs we ask that multiple participants in a hospital join in one room to view the presentation.
Please click here to register (required) for the July 8 session. Following your registration a confirmation email will be sent to the email address entered into the registration form. This confirmation message contains connection information for the session.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Save the date for The 2011 Forum
April 19-21, 2011; Aurora, CO
Save the date for the 2011 Forum! Next year's RHC and safety net clinics Forum will be held April 19-21 at the same hotel it was held at this year. Stay tuned for more details!
Save the date for the 2011 Forum! Next year's RHC and safety net clinics Forum will be held April 19-21 at the same hotel it was held at this year. Stay tuned for more details!
President signs bill halting Medicare physician payment cut
Today, CMS released the following statement:
On June 25, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This law establishes a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed Medicare claims administration contractors to discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates and to temporarily hold all claims for services rendered June 1, 2010, and later, until the new 2.2 percent update rates are tested and loaded into the Medicare contractors’ claims processing systems. Effective testing of the new 2.2 percent update will ensure that claims are correctly paid at the new rates. We expect to begin processing claims at the new rates no later than July 1, 2010. Claims for services rendered prior to June 1, 2010, will continue to be processed and paid as usual.
Claims containing June 2010 dates of service which have been paid at the negative update rates will be reprocessed as soon as possible. Under current law, Medicare payments to physicians and other providers paid under the MPFS are based upon the lesser of the submitted charge on the claim or the MPFS amount. Claims containing June dates of service that were submitted with charges greater than or equal to the new 2.2 percent update rates will be automatically reprocessed. Affected physicians/providers who submitted claims containing June dates of service with charges less than the 2.2 percent update amount will need to contact their local Medicare contractor to request an adjustment. Submitted charges on claims cannot be altered without a request from the physician/provider.
Physicians/providers should not resubmit claims already submitted to their Medicare contractor.
On June 25, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This law establishes a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed Medicare claims administration contractors to discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates and to temporarily hold all claims for services rendered June 1, 2010, and later, until the new 2.2 percent update rates are tested and loaded into the Medicare contractors’ claims processing systems. Effective testing of the new 2.2 percent update will ensure that claims are correctly paid at the new rates. We expect to begin processing claims at the new rates no later than July 1, 2010. Claims for services rendered prior to June 1, 2010, will continue to be processed and paid as usual.
Claims containing June 2010 dates of service which have been paid at the negative update rates will be reprocessed as soon as possible. Under current law, Medicare payments to physicians and other providers paid under the MPFS are based upon the lesser of the submitted charge on the claim or the MPFS amount. Claims containing June dates of service that were submitted with charges greater than or equal to the new 2.2 percent update rates will be automatically reprocessed. Affected physicians/providers who submitted claims containing June dates of service with charges less than the 2.2 percent update amount will need to contact their local Medicare contractor to request an adjustment. Submitted charges on claims cannot be altered without a request from the physician/provider.
Physicians/providers should not resubmit claims already submitted to their Medicare contractor.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Free webinar: How can your facility benefit from 340B discounts?
July 7, 2010; 1-2:30pm ET
Under the recently enacted health reform law, a number of new categories of hospitals are now eligible for the federal 340B drug discount program. This includes, among others, critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural referral centers. The 340B program will enable your hospital to expand access to care and reduce its pharmaceutical costs. Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA), together with the National Rural Health Association, will host a free webinar for hospitals and nonprofits representing hospitals, covering a variety of key topics for newly eligible hospitals, including:
Presenters:
Presenters from SNHPA will include Bill von Oehsen, president and general counsel, and Ted Slafsky, executive director: Presenters from NRHA include Brock Slabach, senior vice president for member services, and Maggie Elehwany, vice president of government affairs and policy.
Registration:
This webinar is free for hospitals and nonprofits, but registration is required. Please register by July 5 by clicking here.
Under the recently enacted health reform law, a number of new categories of hospitals are now eligible for the federal 340B drug discount program. This includes, among others, critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural referral centers. The 340B program will enable your hospital to expand access to care and reduce its pharmaceutical costs. Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA), together with the National Rural Health Association, will host a free webinar for hospitals and nonprofits representing hospitals, covering a variety of key topics for newly eligible hospitals, including:
- How is 340B as a cost-savings strategy, especially for smaller hospitals?
- Which hospitals are eligible and how can I enroll?
- What are the key operational issues and challenges?
- How can we effectively comply with the program's dynamic and complex requirements?
- How can we maximize our 340B savings?
- What are the opportunities to open our own outpatient pharmacy or contract with other pharmacies to increase revenue?
- What efforts are underway to expand access and extend 340B to the inpatient setting?
- What is the status of efforts to repeal the prohibition against using 340B for certain cancer treatment and other big ticket drug products?
Presenters:
Presenters from SNHPA will include Bill von Oehsen, president and general counsel, and Ted Slafsky, executive director: Presenters from NRHA include Brock Slabach, senior vice president for member services, and Maggie Elehwany, vice president of government affairs and policy.
Registration:
This webinar is free for hospitals and nonprofits, but registration is required. Please register by July 5 by clicking here.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
HRSA Grant Workshop
July 17, 2010; Denver, CO
Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) is planning to hold a Technical Assistance Workshop for current or potential grantees who are interested in applying for future funding on July 17th, in Denver, CO. Tentative agenda topics include: grant application, review and award requirements, detailed information about grant programs available, and tips for grant writing. If you are interested in receiving an invitation to attend this event, please email or call Kimberly Patton, Kimberly.Patton@hrsa.hhs.gov, or 303.844.7865.
Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) is planning to hold a Technical Assistance Workshop for current or potential grantees who are interested in applying for future funding on July 17th, in Denver, CO. Tentative agenda topics include: grant application, review and award requirements, detailed information about grant programs available, and tips for grant writing. If you are interested in receiving an invitation to attend this event, please email or call Kimberly Patton, Kimberly.Patton@hrsa.hhs.gov, or 303.844.7865.
Colorado Health Foundation Loan Fund
The Colorado Health Foundation has established a "Loan Fund" through a partnership with NCB Capital Impact (NCBCI) to provide short-term loans to current grantees who may be experiencing a cash flow problem due to slow receivables. The purpose of the loan is to help grantees, maintain continuity of operations, ensure the impact of previous grant investments and provide an affordable source of borrowing. More information is available online at the Colorado Health Foundation.
HRSA Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative (PSPC)
You are invited to be a part of an effort that is dramatically improving the health outcomes and medication safety of high-risk patients. For the past 2 years, the PSPC has been helping teams across the nation transform how they deliver care to their patients to achieve impressive results in patient safety and health status. HRSA is now enrolling teams for the next wave of this effort! To learn more, join HRSA on one of the following informational webinars (no reservations are needed):
July 7, 2010; 9-10am EDT
July 7, 2010; 9-10am EDT
- Phone: 888.566.1385
- Conference number: PW5477159
- Audience passcode: PSPC
- To access the net portion, click here
- Phone: 888.566.1385
- Conference number: PW5477169
- Audience passcode: PSPC
- To access the net portion, click here
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: A Summary of Provisions Important to Rural Health Care Delivery
This paper, from the Rural Health Research and Policy Centers provides a summary of legislative provisions contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) that have particular meaning to rural residents and to the delivery of services in rural areas. Click here to access this resource.
TrailBlazer CAH Outpatient Policy/Billing Web-based Training
July 13, 2010
During this class for CAHs, presented by TrailBlazer, topics will include Medicare policy, billing, CERT and RAC. Click here for more information.
During this class for CAHs, presented by TrailBlazer, topics will include Medicare policy, billing, CERT and RAC. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Register now for the 2010 Annual Rural Health Conference in Breckenridge!
July 1-2, 2010; Breckenridge, CO
Join us in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado for the 19th Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference, to be held July 1-2, 2010. This conference will provide participants with a wide range of educational topics, resources, networking, and an evening reception. As the State Office of Rural Health, CRHC holds an annual meeting to keep our membership informed on the latest changes in rural health policy, provider recruitment and retention techniques, and to address the challenges different regions the state are facing. Some scholarships are available, as well as sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Also, don't forget to nominate someone for the Annual Rural Health Excellence Award, an award given to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado.
Information on the agenda, how to register, sponsor, exhibit, receive a scholarship, nominate for the Excellence Award, reserve your hotel room, and MORE is available on the CRHC event website.
Join us in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado for the 19th Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference, to be held July 1-2, 2010. This conference will provide participants with a wide range of educational topics, resources, networking, and an evening reception. As the State Office of Rural Health, CRHC holds an annual meeting to keep our membership informed on the latest changes in rural health policy, provider recruitment and retention techniques, and to address the challenges different regions the state are facing. Some scholarships are available, as well as sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Also, don't forget to nominate someone for the Annual Rural Health Excellence Award, an award given to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado.
Information on the agenda, how to register, sponsor, exhibit, receive a scholarship, nominate for the Excellence Award, reserve your hotel room, and MORE is available on the CRHC event website.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Rural and Frontier EMS and Trauma Summit: Beyond Old Boundaries – Exploring New Frontiers
Aug 11-13, 2010; Manor Vail Lodge, Vail, Colorado
Make plans to attend the fourth installment in the Summit Series, presented by the Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation. This Summit will have something for everyone, from federal and state policy makers to local EMS managers and hospital administrators to individual EMTs.
This year’s theme will be Beyond Old Boundaries – Exploring New Frontiers. With the co-location of the Summit at the Divide with the International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine (IRCP), you will have the opportunity to stretch your imaginations about what could be for rural EMS and trauma systems.
Visit the event website or check out the event agenda.
Make plans to attend the fourth installment in the Summit Series, presented by the Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation. This Summit will have something for everyone, from federal and state policy makers to local EMS managers and hospital administrators to individual EMTs.
This year’s theme will be Beyond Old Boundaries – Exploring New Frontiers. With the co-location of the Summit at the Divide with the International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine (IRCP), you will have the opportunity to stretch your imaginations about what could be for rural EMS and trauma systems.
Visit the event website or check out the event agenda.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
2011 CMS IPPS Proposed Rule – Comments Due June 18
The 2011 CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Proposed Rule was released in the April 19 Federal Register with several provisions that would impact CAHs including:
- Reimbursement for Services of CRNAs: CMS is proposing to allow hospitals and CAHs that are urban but have applied for and been granted rural status under Medicare law to receive reimbursement for anesthesia and related care furnished by qualified CRNAs on reasonable cost basis.
- Removal of the Annual Election Requirement on Maintaining Method II Payment: CMS is proposing a change so that, once a CAH elects the Method II payment for outpatient services, that election remains in place until it is terminated by the CAH.
- Clarification of Which Provider Taxes May Be Allowable Costs: CMS is proposing to allow FI/MACs to determine whether provider taxes are allowable on a case-by-case basis, based on reasonable cost principles and will determine if a reduction of the allowable tax expenses is proper to account for payments providers receive that are associated with the assessed tax.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Events for Critical Access Hospitals
2010 Board Series – Save the Dates!
Save the dates for the 2010 Board Series, hosted by CRHC and presented by Charney Associates. This series, geared towards CAH Boards and CEOs, will build upon the sessions presented in 2009, but will also be appropriate for new attendees. This year’s series will include 3 webinars to be held August 24, September 21, and October 19 from 4:30-6:00, plus a half-day workshop on November 4. More information to come.
QHi Benchmarking Tool – Back to Basics Review
The next Back to Basics webinar, presented by QHi, will be on June 23 from 1-2 MST. The webinar will give participants a brief overview of the QHi benchmarking tool and then walk through the fundamentals of entering data and generating reports. For more information, email jd@coruralhealth.org or click here.
Save the dates for the 2010 Board Series, hosted by CRHC and presented by Charney Associates. This series, geared towards CAH Boards and CEOs, will build upon the sessions presented in 2009, but will also be appropriate for new attendees. This year’s series will include 3 webinars to be held August 24, September 21, and October 19 from 4:30-6:00, plus a half-day workshop on November 4. More information to come.
QHi Benchmarking Tool – Back to Basics Review
The next Back to Basics webinar, presented by QHi, will be on June 23 from 1-2 MST. The webinar will give participants a brief overview of the QHi benchmarking tool and then walk through the fundamentals of entering data and generating reports. For more information, email jd@coruralhealth.org or click here.
Monday, June 14, 2010
USDA Rural Development – June Newsletter
Click here for the June edition of the Colorado USDA Rural Development Regional office’s newsletter.
Rural Health Research and Policy Center – Mental Health Services by RHCs
This study examines changes in the delivery of mental health services by RHCs, their operational characteristics, barriers to the development of services, and policy options to encourage more RHCs to deliver mental health services. To access the study, click here.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
HRSA’s Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Collaborative
HRSA is gearing up for the next Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Collaborative (PSPC) starting September 2010. There will be 3 informational meetings throughout June and July. HRSA invites you to join them for one of these informational calls to learn more. See below for information about the first call on June 21. For more information about the PSCP, click here.
June 21, 2010; 3-4pm EDT
June 21, 2010; 3-4pm EDT
- To access the audio portion, please call: 888.566.1385; conference number: PW5477121; audience passcode: PSPC
- To access the net portion, click here
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
IMPORTANT: Medicaid Payments to be Delayed
Medicaid is being forced to delay payments to providers at the end of June. Claims not in the web portal by June 11 will not be paid till July 9.
Due to the end-of-the-year revenue forecast being lower than expected, Medicaid is at risk of not being able to meet reserves requirements for the FY09-10 fiscal year. They have been asked to delay provider payments by two weeks as an alternative to new rate cuts. This puts expenditures into the next fiscal year to allow the Treasurer to balance the budget.
Although they asked for authority that would have allowed the executive branch to make year-end transfers that could have prevented the needs for delayed payments, they were unfortunately unable to secure that support from the legislature.
Claims not in the system by June 11, 2010 will not be paid until July 9, 2010.
Due to the end-of-the-year revenue forecast being lower than expected, Medicaid is at risk of not being able to meet reserves requirements for the FY09-10 fiscal year. They have been asked to delay provider payments by two weeks as an alternative to new rate cuts. This puts expenditures into the next fiscal year to allow the Treasurer to balance the budget.
Although they asked for authority that would have allowed the executive branch to make year-end transfers that could have prevented the needs for delayed payments, they were unfortunately unable to secure that support from the legislature.
Claims not in the system by June 11, 2010 will not be paid until July 9, 2010.
Webinar: New Health TeamWorks Guideline for Childhood Obesity
June 17, 2010; 7:30am-8:30am
A new Health TeamWorks guideline is being developed to help primary care providers address issues around Childhood Obesity. Health TeamWorks and committee co-chairs, Sandra Hoyt Stenmark M.D. and Stephanie Bacon, MS, RD, PA-C will present the guideline for your review. Space is limited. For more information and to register, click here.
A new Health TeamWorks guideline is being developed to help primary care providers address issues around Childhood Obesity. Health TeamWorks and committee co-chairs, Sandra Hoyt Stenmark M.D. and Stephanie Bacon, MS, RD, PA-C will present the guideline for your review. Space is limited. For more information and to register, click here.
CRHC Swing Bed Training
CRHC’s swing bed training program is designed to assist hospitals with implementing swing bed programs, conducting case management activities, and promoting the appropriate use of skilled services. CRHC’s training, facilitated by experienced RN consultants, is geared toward physicians, clinical staff and case managers and tailored to meet specific needs. For more information, click here or email jd@coruralhealth.org.
Payment for CAH Method II and Ambulance Services
CMS posted a correction to the reimbursement language which clarifies the payment for outpatient facility services under Method II and payment for ambulance services furnished by a CAH or an entity owned and operated by a CAH to be 101% of reasonable costs. Previous language indicated payment would be at reasonable cost. The correction is effective retroactively to cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2004. CMS does not believe the correction will result in additional payments to CAHs for prior periods as CMS believes they have paid CAHs for these services at 101% of reasonable costs during these prior periods. The correction is listed in the June 2 Federal Register, page 30965 and can be accessed by clicking here.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Call for abstracts: International Roundtable of Community Paramedics
Only 2 more weeks to send your abstract to us to present at the International Roundtable of Community Paramedics. Topic areas include:
Integrated Healthcare Models
Integrated Healthcare Models
- Expanded practice models
- Community Paramedicine urban and rural models
- Collaboration across professions
- Health Information Technology
- Standardization of EMS and Healthcare Practices
- Common Scope of Practice
- Country to Country/State to State Mobility
- Accreditation
- Documentation of Best Practices
- How to Secure Funding
- Establish measurable outcomes
- Defining Methodologies
- Integration of students into the new model of care
- Educational Standards and Establishing Curriculum
- Transitioning from Emergency calls to treating whole patient
- Recruitment and Retention
If your topic area falls outside this, please email cmontera@wecadems.com for more information. Deadline for submission is June 15, 2010 at 5 pm MDT. For more information, click here.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Register now for the 2010 Annual Rural Health Conference in Breckenridge!
July 1-2, 2010; Breckenridge, CO
Join us in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado for the 19th Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference, to be held July 1-2, 2010. This conference will provide participants with a wide range of educational topics, resources, networking, and an evening reception. As the State Office of Rural Health, CRHC holds an annual meeting to keep our membership informed on the latest changes in rural health policy, provider recruitment and retention techniques, and to address the challenges different regions the state are facing. Some scholarships are available, as well as sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Also, don't forget to nominate someone for the Annual Rural Health Excellence Award, an award given to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado.
Information on the agenda, how to register, sponsor, exhibit, receive a scholarship, nominate for the Excellence Award, reserve your hotel room, and MORE is available on the CRHC event website.
Join us in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado for the 19th Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference, to be held July 1-2, 2010. This conference will provide participants with a wide range of educational topics, resources, networking, and an evening reception. As the State Office of Rural Health, CRHC holds an annual meeting to keep our membership informed on the latest changes in rural health policy, provider recruitment and retention techniques, and to address the challenges different regions the state are facing. Some scholarships are available, as well as sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Also, don't forget to nominate someone for the Annual Rural Health Excellence Award, an award given to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado.
Information on the agenda, how to register, sponsor, exhibit, receive a scholarship, nominate for the Excellence Award, reserve your hotel room, and MORE is available on the CRHC event website.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Trailblazer Updated Banking Transition
CMS recently awarded new banking contracts to U.S. Bank and JP Morgan Chase. Medicare providers do not have to take any action. However, providers should be aware that the Medicare payments may be made by a different bank than in the past because of these new banking contractors. The following Medicare claims processing contractors will transition to JP Morgan Chase on August 2, 2010: Palmetto A/B MAC Jurisdiction 1 and Trailblazer.
Comments Requested on New Requirements Imposed on Tax-Exempt Hospitals under the PPACA
IRS Notice 2010-39 solicits written comments on certain requirements imposed on tax-exempt hospitals by new section 501(r), added to the Code by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Tax-exempt hospitals will have to satisfy these new requirements, including the requirement to conduct Community Health Needs Assessments, to be described in section 501(c)(3). Comments must be submitted by July 22, 2010.
How to Avoid a Heart Attack
June 12, 2010; Holiday Inn Denver East
The Colorado Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is presenting this day-long program which will include the latest information on Hypertension, Lipids, Cardiac Prevention, Cardiovascular Disease, Healthcare Delivery, Smoking Cessation and more. For more information and to register, click here.
The Colorado Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is presenting this day-long program which will include the latest information on Hypertension, Lipids, Cardiac Prevention, Cardiovascular Disease, Healthcare Delivery, Smoking Cessation and more. For more information and to register, click here.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Latest on the CMS ICD-10 Web site Section
There are two new additions to the Latest News page of the CMS ICD-10 Web site section. To view them, click here.
J4 Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference
June 15, 2010
ACTs provide a forum for providers to ask TrailBlazer specific questions concerning Medicare billing policies and procedures, identify provider issues and share information. Participants are encouraged to submit questions/agenda items at least five days prior to the event. Registration for ACTs is mandatory.
ACTs provide a forum for providers to ask TrailBlazer specific questions concerning Medicare billing policies and procedures, identify provider issues and share information. Participants are encouraged to submit questions/agenda items at least five days prior to the event. Registration for ACTs is mandatory.
NRHA Medication Use in Rural America Conference and 340B Workshop
June 16-18, 2010; Kansas City, MO
NRHA has expanded its Medication Use in Rural America Conference to include a day of expert guidance on the 340B Program. Meet with the country's top authorities to ease enrolling your hospital in the program. Presenters include HRSA's contractor to provide technical assistance to hospitals, the agency's analyst currently writing 340B guidance for participation for newly-covered hospitals and the 340B Prime Vendor Program point person.
NRHA has expanded its Medication Use in Rural America Conference to include a day of expert guidance on the 340B Program. Meet with the country's top authorities to ease enrolling your hospital in the program. Presenters include HRSA's contractor to provide technical assistance to hospitals, the agency's analyst currently writing 340B guidance for participation for newly-covered hospitals and the 340B Prime Vendor Program point person.
Advocacy 101 Webinar
June 15, 2010, 12:00-1:00, Cost $99
This webinar will teach participants how to testify, submit written testimony, and arrange site visits and meetings with your senator or representative. Learn the basics of how to advocate on behalf of your clinic and hospital! This webinar will provide a legislative 101 refresher, a brief overview of the issues facing Colorado’s state budget, and how to effectively work with both state and federal elected officials to ensure your voice is heard. For more information and to register, click here.
This webinar will teach participants how to testify, submit written testimony, and arrange site visits and meetings with your senator or representative. Learn the basics of how to advocate on behalf of your clinic and hospital! This webinar will provide a legislative 101 refresher, a brief overview of the issues facing Colorado’s state budget, and how to effectively work with both state and federal elected officials to ensure your voice is heard. For more information and to register, click here.
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