Instruct Online Webinar: The Importance of Proper and Accurate Documentation

December 8, 2010; 11:00-12:30; Cost $225
This seminar is a must attend program for any nurse working in healthcare today. It will discuss the importance of documentation to avoid allegations of malpractice, substandard care, and denial of reimbursement. Good concise documentation is the key to preventing claims of fraud and abuse. This program will help improve documentation skills and discuss legal issues in documentation, and Joint Commission and CMS issues related to documentation requirements. It will provide over 40 recommendations to improve documentation, cover key problematic Joint Commission and CMS CoP requirements, and help identify issues that need to be documented in order to be reimbursed by CMS and to avoid allegation of fraud and abuse and improper documentation by the RACs. Register by December 6. For more information and to register, click here.

New Funding Opportunities

Rural Emergency Responders Initiative
The Rural Development, through its community facilities program, provides funding for the Rural Emergency Responders Initiative to specifically strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to local emergencies. The community facilities program funds are used to support rural emergency responder efforts by financing needed equipment and services. For more information, click here.

Respite Care Funding
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering grants to help alleviate the cost of respite care for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Funds may be used for in-home care, adult day programs or other types of respite. For more information, click here.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Community-Based Grants
Funding for breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information click here.

Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment – Product Showcase Webinar

December 8, 2010; 1:00MST
Increase your organization’s capacity to treat dual mental health disorders with the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) program developed by the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. IDDT helps clinicians provide comprehensive interventions for people with dual disorders — schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder — who need long-term, intensive care. This National Council LIVE webinar, presented in partnership with Hazelden, looks at the challenges in treating persons with dual disorders. You’ll leave the webinar with resources to implement IDDT in your organization. For more information and to register, click here.

CMS Final Notice: Approval of Det Norske Veritas Healthcare for Deeming Authority for CAHs

CMS released the final notice announcing the decision to approve Det Norske Veritas Healthcare (DNVHC) for recognition as a national accreditation program for CAHs seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. To access the final notice, click here.

Quality Health Indicators (QHi) Benchmarking Tool - Back to Basics Webinar

December 9, 2010; 1-2pm MST
The next QHi Back to Basics webinar will take place on December 9. After providing a brief summary of the project, QHi will open the live site to demonstrate new functionality and walk through the basics from selecting measures, entering data and running reports. QHi is available to all Colorado CAHs at no charge. For more information, contact jd@coruralhealth.org.

TrailBlazer Updates

TrailBlazer has updated a number of their RHC job aides including: RHC Vaccines, RHC UB-04 Billing Examples, RHC Reimbursement Calculations, and the RHC Manual. To access the job aids, click here; to access the updated manual, click here.

The November edition of TrailBlazer’s eBulletin is also available. The eBulletin contains recent updates and notices. To access the eBulletin, click here.

CAH Capacity Building Award – Applications Due November 30!

CRHC's CAH Capacity Building Award offers each Critical Access Hospital funds every year for capacity-building activities. The guidelines and application for the 2010 Capacity Building Award are now available on CRHC’s website by clicking here. The application deadline is November 30, 2010.

Colorado Rural Credentialing Network – Register Now for 2011!

Credentialing of physicians and other healthcare practitioners is a key risk management function for facilities, both large and small. Further, it has become a complex and seldom understood process. CRHC’s Colorado Rural Credentialing Network provides rural hospitals and clinics with information, education, and resources pertaining to this important task. Register now for the 2011 network where, for the annual $250 membership fee, you will have the opportunity to participate in quarterly webinars, access to a credentialing specialist and additional resources, and the opportunity for peer learning. Click here to access the registration form. Network webinars will begin in early 2011.

CMS Systems Changes Necessary to Implement Technical Correction Related to CAH Services

On November 19, CMS issued a transmittal to make system changes necessary for increased payment of critical access hospital (CAH) facility services. Section 3128 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, increased payment for facility services for CAHs paid under the optional method from 100% of reasonable cost to 101% of reasonable cost and increased payment for ambulance services furnished by CAHs from 100% of reasonable cost to 101% of reasonable cost, effective for services furnished on and after January 1, 2004. To view the transmittal, click here.

Medicare Learning Network: Waiver of Coinsurance and Deductible for Preventive Services for RHCs

This article, based on Change Request (CR) 7208, explains how RHCs should bill for certain preventive services under the Affordable Care Act. To view the article, click here.

CMS calls for comments on Accountable Care Organizations

A Federal Register Notice released by CMS requests comments on certain aspects of the policies and standards that will apply to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare program under Section 3021 or 3022 of the Affordable Care Act. If you would like to comment or express concerns or other insight, please respond to Michelle Mills at mm@coruralhealth.org by close of business on December 2, 2010.

The Colorado Health Foundation Applicant Information Webinar

Thursday, December 9; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
The Colorado Health Foundation is hosting an application information webinar for prospective grant applicants. During the webinar, Foundation staff will give a concise overview of the application process, including:

• How to prepare applications
• Important proposal requirements
• A step-by-step walk-through of the online application process

Staff will also review the Foundation's funding priorities. This webinar requires advanced registration, so register now.

Free Patient Education Videos, Pamphlets in Spanish

AHRQ is offering health providers its 60-second patient education videos in Spanish for organizations to show on closed-circuit television or on their Web sites. These are:

• Taking Medicines - Conozca susmedicamentos
• Having Surgery - Consejos para la cirugia
• ER Visits - Consejos para cuando tenga que acudir a la sala de emergencia
• Gestational Diabetes - Diabetes gestacional
• Blood Clots - Los coágulos
• Osteoporosis - La osteoporosis

AHRQ also has new patient guides in Spanish or English on gestational diabetes, elective induced labor, cholesterol medications, breast biopsy methods, breast cancer risk-reduction drugs, premixed insulins, and other topics. Select to access the guides in Spanish and in English. You can also order a new bilingual guide, Como cuidarme: Guia para cuando salga del hospital/Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital.

2011 Public Policy Agenda from the Colorado Health Professions Workforce Policy Collaborative

The Colorado Health Professions Workforce Policy Collaborative has released their 2011 Public Policy Agenda, which is an update to the 2010 document--the first of its kind. This year's version includes policy changes from last year, newly available data and plicy analysis, and the ongoing inter-professional dialogue among members and participants of the Collaborative.

• Download the 2011 Public Policy Agenda

Colorado Health Service Corps loan repayment award applications due November 30

Primary care physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, licensed mental health professionals and oral health professionals may be eligible for significant educational loan debt forgiveness of up to $105,000 through the Colorado Health Service Corps. To participate in this program, health professionals must be employed or seeking full-time employment, in an outpatient primary care practice in an area of Colorado with a health professional shortage. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to caring for underserved people and agree to a term of service of two or three years. Primary health providers who practice in rural and urban underserved communities may qualify. The new applications period runs from November 1 to November 30.

For more information on specific eligibility requirements and to complete the online application, visit http://www.coloradohealthservicecorps.org/ or call 303.692.2466.

RAC Update for CAHs

A recent rural Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC) call included Day Equsquiza, President of AR Systems, Inc., speaking on the topic of Recovery Audit Contracts (RACs) in critical access hospitals (CAHs). To access a copy of her presentation, click here. To access a recording of the call, click here.

Mental Health Services in Rural Jails (Working Paper)

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the role of rural jails in the mental health systems in rural communities, investigating how rural jails manage mental health and substance abuse problems among inmates, determining barriers to providing mental health services faced by rural jails, and identifying promising practices for service delivery. Rural jail administrators and mental health providers understood the need for mental health services for jail inmates but were constrained by inadequate community mental health resources, lack of coordination with community mental health providers, and infrastructure challenges including facilities, transportation, training, and legal processes.  To access the full report, click here.

WONDERbabies 3rd Annual Stakeholders' Community Forum

Wednesday, December 1, 2010; 8:30am-4:00pm
“Developing Health Homes for Children Enrolled in Early Care and Education Settings”, featuring Keynote Speaker Julie Novak, DNSc, RN, CPNP, FAANP. The Forum is intended for family members, students and professionals who have vested interest in infants and young children with special healthcare and developmental needs.

• Cost: Registration for this event is $45 and includes speaker fees, breakfast, lunch, materials, and parking.  Students can register for a discounted rate of $15! Valid Student ID must be presented at time of registration. To register a student, please email info@wonderbabiesco.org.  For an opportunity to attend the Forum free of charge, click here.
• Location: University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Campus, Education 2 South Building, Room 1102, 13121 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045
• To Register: Click Here

Spanish Peaks Family Clinic achieves Level 1 Patient Centered Medical Home status

Spanish Peaks Family Clinic in Walsenburg is the first primary care clinic in Colorado owned by a Critical Access Hospital to receive the prestigious recognition as a Level 1 Patient Centered Medical Home by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA).  Spanish Peaks Family Clinic is one of only three non-urban clinics in Colorado to receive this designation, and will be the only federally designated Rural Health Clinic (RHC)  in Colorado with this recognition upon completion of RHC designation process.  The providers and staff at Spanish Peaks Family Clinic have been working with staff at the Colorado Rural Health Center for the past year and a half to change the way they approach patient care.  The designation at a Level 1 Patient Centered Medical Home is a reflection of Spanish Peaks Family Clinic’s efforts in transforming the care provided to the people of Walsenburg, Huerfano County, and the surrounding area.  Spanish Peaks is planning to continue to improve their patient focus over the next few months, and is looking forward to apply for the highest NCQA recognition, Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home recognition, in 2011.

Renew your CRHC membership for 2010

CRHC is pleased to introduce a revised structure for the 2011 membership campaign. We crafted the changes to balance the cost of membership investment with the financial strength of each member organization. We have done this by basing membership rates on a Full Time Employee (FTE) model. For organizations with multiple sites, only one membership is necessary under the parent organization for total number of FTEs across all sites.

We thank the members who contributed their best thinking to help ensure the revised membership program is balanced, equitable and capable of cultivating healthy and vibrant communities throughout rural Colorado.

As an Investing Member, you will enjoy numerous benefits--click here to read more about these benefits.

To renew your investment as a CRHC member, please click here.

Thank you again for your continued support!

From Tears to Transparency: Michael Skolnik Film

In "The Story of Michael Skolnik," the second DVD-based learning program in "The Faces of Medical Error...From Tears to Transparency" series, viewers are compelled to rethink the critical role that shared decision-making and informed consent play in patient safety and transparency. This emotionally engaging program tells the story of Michael Skolnik, an intelligent, compassionate young man who died at age 25 after a three-year ordeal following brain surgery. Michael's parents, Patty and David Skolnik, are joined by industry visionaries who together challenge viewers to consider how fully informed consent, true shared decision-making, and open and honest communication can change outcomes, how it could have changed the outcome for Michael, can change outcomes for countless others, and in the process reduce risk for institutions and the dedicated providers who care so deeply. Whether you are launching a new patient safety program or supplementing an existing initiative, "The Story of Michael Skolnik" will capture attention and add value to your patient safety program. A percentage of every training documentary that is sold goes to Citizens for Patient Safety. For more information, click here.

5 Questions: Should a Hospital Develop an ACO?

Becker's Hospital Review reports on how to determine whether a hospital should develop or join an accountable care organization (ACO). Since the new health law passed, "hospitals and other providers across the country have been working to decide if they should develop ACOs in an effort to participate in the program. These entities, however, require considerable infrastructure, resources and cost, and have no guarantees of success. As such, many providers are unsure if the risk associated with developing an ACO is worth the potential payoff."

The article outlines five questions that hospitals should consider when weighing whether to become involved in an ACO. The questions include: "What is the hospital's relationship with its physicians?," "Does the hospital have a large enough primary care provider base?" and "What other providers could be involved?"

MORE Grant for RHCs, CHCs, and other Safety Net Clinics: DUE NOV. 12

If your organization is a safety net clinic AND you provide eligibility and enrollment assistance for Colorado Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) programs, you can apply for funding from HRSA, through the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.  The Maximizing Outreach, Retention, and Enrollment (MORE) Grant will fund outreach activities from January 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011 and awards range from $5,000 - $99,000.  Applications are due November 12 at 3pm MT, and award announcements will be made on December 17.

• Download the grant information

Webinar: HealthTeamWorks Guideline on Contraception

Thursday, November 18, 2010; 7:30-8:30am MDT
A new HealthTeamWorks guideline is being developed to assist primary care providers address issues around counseling on contraception. HealthTeamWorks and Eliza Buyers, MD will be presenting the guideline for review. The following topics will be covered:

• Justification for guideline and supporting evidence
• Targeted clinical evaluation
• “Quick Start” protocol
• Contraception methods and considerations
• Brief overview of provider and patient tools

Space is limited. Reserve your space now.
Call in number: 866-846-3997
Participant PC: 114616#

If you have questions, please contact Sara Schwankl at sschwankl@healthteamworks.org.

HRSA’s Women’s Health USA 2010 and Child Health USA 2010 data books now available

HRSA’s Women’s Health USA 2010 and Child Health USA 2010 data books are now available to download, print, and order. The data books highlight emerging issues and trends in women’s and children's health, and reflect the ever-changing, increasingly diverse population and its characteristics. The books include current and historical data on some of the most pressing health challenges facing women, their families and their communities, and report on the health status and service needs of America’s children.

To download or order copies, click here.

33rd Annual National Jewish Health Pulmonary and Allergy Update

February 2-5, 2010; Keystone, CO
The 33rd Annual National Jewish Health Pulomary and Allergy Update is a four-day conference that prepares you to develop strategies for treating patients with allergy, asthma, autoimmune and pulmonary diseases. Presentations by National Jewish Health faculty focus on the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with allergic, respiratory and immune system diseases. Workshops and small-group sessions provide great opportunities to discuss key issues and interesting cases with colleagues and National Jewish Health faculty. This conference will provide participants with practical information that they can apply in their practice immediately. This is a CME/CE Activity.  For more information and to register, click here.

Help set the rural public health agenda for the next decade

Rural health policy makers and researchers are looking for your ideas on the most important health issues facing rural residents. This is a chance to help shape health goals that will guide rural leaders and researchers for the next decade.

This project, Rural Healthy People 2020, is designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to the health of rural people and to establish goals for reducing these threats. The starting point for this conversation is an online survey.

Please take a few minutes today to answer this survey and share it with your networks.

CMS 2011 OPPS Final Rule

CMS has released the 2011 OPPS Final Rule with comment period which includes several provisions relating to physician supervision such as:.

• Changed the definition of “immediately available”
• Delayed enforcement of supervision requirements for rural and critical access hospitals (CAHs)
• Announced its plan to convene a panel beginning in 2012 to determine the level of supervision required for different services
• Finalized a new category of “nonsurgical extended duration therapeutic services” that require direct supervision during an initiation period, followed by a minimum standard of general supervision

Additional information is available on the CMS website by clicking here. To access the 2011 OPPS Final Rule, click here. The CY 2011 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period will appear in the Nov. 24, 2010 Federal Register. Comments on designated provisions are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 3, 2011. CMS will respond to comments in the CY 2012 OPPS/ASC final rule.

CRHC CAH Quality Network Call

The next bi-monthly CAH Quality Network call will take place on November 18 from 11:00-12:00. This call, geared towards CAH Quality Directors, is an opportunity to share news, updates, questions, and best practices. Call-in information will be sent out to Quality Directors prior to the call. For more information, email jd@coruralhealth.org.

Environmental health competencies for rural primary care providers

A report released by the West Virginia Rural Health Research Center outlines a set of environmental health competencies for rural primary care providers and recommends that environmental health competencies be integrated into entry level and professional continuing education programs for rural primary care providers in order to improve health outcomes and support a healthier rural population. Read the full report and policy brief.

NRHA Webinar: “Preparing for a Joint Commission CAH Survey: Hear it Straight from the Source”

November 9, 2010; 2 - 3 p.m. CST
NRHA members will learn the basics on how to prepare for a CAH survey whether it’s their first survey or a re-survey. A Joint Commission surveyor who was a former CAH CEO will walk listeners through the steps to preparing for survey and address challenges critical access hospitals frequently encounter. A life safety code specialist will also address common environment of care issues during survey. Listeners will also learn the most commonly cited requirements for improvement for critical access hospitals. For more information and to register, click here.

TrailBlazer - Ambulance Transports to the Hospital for Physician’s Visits

Because the CERT contractor identified inappropriately reported non-emergent ambulance transportation services to physician offices as having caused inappropriate Medicare payments, this TrailBlazer educational article addresses the specific topic of Medicare non-coverage for non-emergent ambulance transports to physician offices. To access the notice, click here.

Heart Attack Symptoms and Calling 9-1-1 Campaign for Women

If you would like to submit an application for the Heart Attack Symptoms and Calling 9-1-1 Campaign for Women funding opportunity, please contact owhapplication@jsi.com to request the RFA.  Applications are due by December 6, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Please note, applications will be not be accepted by the Office on Women’s Health.

For help with this RFA, please e-mail: owhapplication@jsi.com or call toll-free: 866.224.3815.

CMS Open Door Forum: Hospital and Hospital Quality

The next Hospital & Hospital Quality Open Door Form is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 2pm-3pmET. To participate dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 16272772. For more information, click here.

FREE - 2 Infant Scales

Prowers County Public Health has 2 infant scales (balance beam) available to donate to a facility that can use them.  If you are interested, please contact Jackie Brown at jbrown@prowerscounty.net.

CMS Open Door Forum: Medicaid Integrity Provider Audit Program

A CMS Special Open Door Forum: Update on Medicaid Integrity Provider Audit Program is scheduled for November 3, 2010 from 2pm-3:30pmET. This Special ODF is intended to provide feedback and lessons learned from the initial 18 months of the Medicaid audit program and discuss opportunities for improvement. To participate dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 18705250. For more information, click here.

Financial Excellence in Revenue Management

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• Stop leaving money on the table
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• Use our Certified Professional Coders as an extension of your facility

We can help! Visit our website for more information or download the complete brochure.