Tuesday, September 25th RHC TA Call – “Establishing a Compliance Program for Your

The next RHC TA call will be held on Tuesday, September 25th at 2:00pm EASTERN. The call is entitled, “Establishing a Compliance Program for your RHC.” Our speaker will be Holly Louie, CHBME, a nationally recognized expert on compliance programs.

The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by time for questions and answers. If you have a question you would like to submit ahead of time, send it to: info@narhc.organd indicate “RHC TA Question” in the subject line. We will make every effort to see that the question is either addressed in the speaker’s presentation or during the post-presentation Q and A.  A copy of the slides will be available for download. You will receive a separate email giving you the web address where you can go to download the slides.

 Following is the call-in information:
Toll free: 866-431-5314 Passcode: 279279

Envisioning the Rural Health System of the Future Webinar

Thursday, September 20th at 1pm (EDT)
Please join us for Envisioning the Rural Health System of the Future – Webinar on Thursday, September 20th at 1:00pm (Eastern). You can register by clicking on link below or click on link provided on attached flyer. Dial in on Thursday to (877) 668-4493 (toll free) or (408) 600-3600 (toll) and enter access code 663 572 433.

For more information please click here

Register Now!! The Value of Vaccines

October 4th, 2:30 - 3:30pm

Register now to attend this seminar on October 4th, 2012 Presented by Robert Brayden, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
As providers and health care professionals, CCIC members know the health benefits of protecting one’s self from vaccine-preventable diseases through immunization.

To register or for more information, please click here

CMS Medicare Enrollment and Change of Ownership

Do you need help with your CMS Enrollment or Change of Ownership Forms?  The process to obtain enrollment in Medicare or change enrollment status can be time consuming and frustrating.  We will coordinate and facilitate enrollment with all state and federal forms including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ( CMS) Form 855A for prospective RHC's, and CMS Form 29 for existing RHC change of ownership needs.  Return submissions of the CMS Form 855A is included.

For more information please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org

CHP+ Gainsharing Program Meeting

Monday, September 24th at 3:00 - 4:30.

After completing a pilot program which included RHCs (Rocky Ford Family Health Center; additional RHC input received from Pediatric Associates of Montrose and Yuma Clinic), FQHCs (Mountain Family Health Centers, Denver Health, Metro Community Provider Network) and an MCO (Colorado Access), the department slated to begin the CHP+ gainsharing program in January 2013. Therefore, the Department would like to have a methodology for the first steps of Gain-Sharing in place by the fall of 2012. In addition, the Department would also like to have an ongoing discussion about the future of FQHC and RHC rate reform, beginning with Gain-Sharing and would like to continue this dialogue through monthly workgroup meetings with stakeholders. The next meeting will be Monday, September 24th at 3:00 - 4:30. 

At this meeting, the discussion will be around how to streamline the Department’s several payment reform initiatives, including FQHC/RHC shared savings, ACC shared savings, BHO shared savings, and ACC Payment Reform Initiative (HB 1281) proposals so that we’re moving in a cohesive and productive manner. Department staff members have been thinking about potential solutions and would like to discuss these with FQHC/RHC stakeholders.


For more information please contact Alicia Haywood @ ah@coruralhealth.org

Medicare News - 09/14/2012

Part B J4 Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference – Participants are encouraged to submit questions/agenda items at least five business days prior to the event. The incoming contractor, Novitas Solutions, Inc., will also be on the call and available to answer questions. Questions/agenda items can be e-mailed to Provider Outreach and Education at poe@trailblazerhealth.com with “Ask-the-Contractor” and the date of the teleconference in the subject line.



The Neurology and Neuromuscular Procedure Codes Requiring Physician and/or Technician Supervision Web page has been updatedwith new information. This page canbeaccessed from the IDTF Web page by selecting IDTF Procedure Codes under the “Resources” heading.

Will you be attending the ICD 10 Workshops next week?

Workshop: Turning ICD-9 into ICD-10
Presented by RT Welter & Associates

Increased level of specificity in provider documentation is at the heart of the ICD-10 transition. All providers will need to be trained! Incomplete documentation will result in delays with claims submission and ultimately impact your revenue and cash flow! We will take the top diagnosis codes used in a rural health practice/setting and help you, and ultimately your providers, understand what changes will need to be made in the provider’s documentation to maintain timely and accurate claims submission and claims payments

To register please click on one of the four locations below. If you have any questions please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org Hope to see you there!!

• September 18th - Holyoke, CO
• September 20th - Del Norte, CO
• September 25th - Grand Junction, CO
• September 28th - Webinar

Worried that you might not be ready for that unannounced state survey?

RHC's have recently been moved up in priority among facilities for the state to survey. The Colorado Rural Health Center offers an inexpensive way to prepare you clinic and ensure you will be ready!  With the RHC Mock survey, clinics receive a comprehensive evaluation of compliance with existing requirements for certified RHC's.  This service includes onsite clinic inspection and basic review for RHC Policy and Procedures, review of the clinic's annual evaluation processes and review of medical charts ( paper or electronic). A professional follow - up summary, recommendations, and report of findings is included. For more information or to schedule a mock survey for your clinic, please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org .  We look forward to assisting you!

Behavioral Health Issues for Children and Families in Rural Areas

September 26th, 2012 3:00 - 4:30 ETTitle: When Law Enforcement Officers Respond to Children and Youth with Behavioral Health Needs: Strategies That Work

Please click here for more information regarding the third in a four-part Webinar series discussing behavioral health issues for children and families in rural areas or to register for this event.

CRHC Kicks-Off 3rd Year of iCARE

CRHC is kicking off the 3rd year of iCARE with a webinar on September 14. The Improving Communication and Readmissions program (iCARE) began with Colorado’s CAHs focusing on improving readmission rates, communication in transitions of care, and clinical processes that contribute to readmissions. In its 3rd year, the program will continue working with CAHs in these areas as well as adding a new component for participating hospital’s clinics – improving diabetes measures. For more information contact, jd@coruralhealth.org.

Looking for a cost effective non-biased peer review service?

Our program offers specialty-matched, confidential, medical opinions from a rural provider, for a rural provider, based on objective review of medical records.  The program is a collaborative effort among Colorado's rural providers and not only provideds a cost effective way to manage peer review requirements, but also provides an effective means to improve patient care through identifying opportunities for process improvement.  For more information on how to become a part of this network, please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org 

Are you prepared for the ICD 10 Transition?

NEW ICD-10 DEADLINE: OCT 1, 2014 – The ICDtransition is coming October 1, 2014. The ICD transition will change every part of how you provide care, from software upgrades, to patient registration and referrals, to clinical documentation, and billing. Work with your software vendor, clearinghouse, and billing service now to ensure you are ready when the time comes. ICD-10 is closer than it seems. CMS can help. Visit the CMS website at www.cms.gov/ICD10.

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE CRHC ICD 10 WORKSHOPS Contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org for more information.

RHC LOCATION REQUIREMENTS & CHOWS

Primary care practices are undergoing significant changes in the United States. Many practices have
been purchased by local hospitals or systems over the past two years. Rural Health Clinics are at the center of this phenomenon. Many of our peers are in the process of being sold & purchased. Click on the blue link to read the complete article.    

Click HERE

HRSA Region VIII Behavioral Health Learning Series for Rural Primary Care Providers

The first webinar is coming up soon – next Wednesday, September 5. The target audience for the Learning Series is rural primary care medical providers, such as physicians, physician assistants, and nurses. The series is not designed for professionals trained in behavioral health.

Prescribed CMEs from the American Academy of Family Physicians (2 credits per webinar) will be available for those who attend the live webinar(s).

Learning Objectives for the webinar series:

• Providers will enhance their ability to assess patients at risk for suicide, and to develop suicide prevention and intervention strategies for patients in rural primary care settings.
• Primary care providers will improve their selection strategies for psychotrophic medications, and enhance patient-provider communication skills related to depression, bipolar disorders, and anxiety disorders.
• Providers will learn to apply their chronic disease management skills to patients with substance use disorders, and enhance their ability to implement effective interventions for substance use disorders in primary care settings.

For more information and to register please click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Paramedicine Insights Forum - FREE

Monday, September 17, October 15, November 19, 2012
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Central Time
On a monthly basis, a 90 minute webinar-based call will be held that features an insightful presentation and Q&A session based on experiences and lessons learned from efforts to establish a community paramedicine program somewhere in the U.S. There will also be a focused discussion on a particular "issue of the month", and an open discussion on issues or questions that participants wish to share.
Occurs the 3rd Monday of each month
Cost: FREE
Format: Webinar  
For more information please click on this link: Community Paramedicine Insights Forum (CPIF)

Webinar: “Teledentistry: Building Enhanced Dental Teams for Underserved Communities and Families”

Webinar : Wednesday, September 12th, 2012~ 12:00pm MDT

Improving Access to Quality Medical Care
The practice and delivery of healthcare is changing, with an emphasis on improving quality, safety, efficiency, & access to care. Telemedicine can help you achieve these goals! The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health & the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center invite you to a free webinar on the implementation and practice of telemedicine. For more information please click here

Strategies To Break Out Of Paralysis and Paradigms

From Surviving To Thriving:  Strategies To Break Out Of Paralysis and Paradigms
Tuesday, September 25, 2012  8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
 Sheraton Crown Center , Kansas City, MO

Over the next five years healthcare in general – and rural healthcare in particular – will undergo massive changes. But what exactly will change, and how, and what steps can your organization take today to position itself to thrive in that uncertain future?

RURAL STRONG, an organization of professionals serving and supporting rural healthcare organizations, invites you to a conference Tuesday September 25 (immediately before the 2012 NRHA Conference in Kansas City) where you’ll hear from and interact with them as well as hospital executives and board members who have positioned their institutions to succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s marketplace.
Click here to check out the complete program and register online

 

JH Transition - INFORMATIONAL ALERT!

INFORMATIONAL ALERT
Connectivity Testing and Early Boarding Opportunities are Coming Soon!
Attention: Part A Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, J04901 (WPS), Indian Health Service, Tribal Organizations and Veteran Affairs Electronic Billers
Novitas Solutions will offer connectivity testing, on or about September 17, 2012, to Part A Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, J04901 (WPS), Indian Health Service and Tribal Organizations, and Veteran Affairs EDI submitters (JH Transition Segment IV) in advance of production submission at cutover. Testing is encouraged to ensure a smooth transition to the Novitas Solutions EDI telecommunications server. Watch the JH MAC Transition EDI Web site for information on connectivity and how to send a successful test to Novitas Solutions.
It is important that you NOT submit a test file to Novitas Solutions until after you receive your new login ID. Novitas Solutions will send a letter the week of September 10, 2012, containing your new login ID. This letter will be issued to your current EDI submitter ID, provided to Novitas Solutions by TrailBlazer. If you bill via a billing service or clearinghouse, they will receive the new login ID, and therefore, you will not receive a letter from Novitas Solutions containing a new login ID. 
Novitas Solutions will also offer the ability to transition to the Novitas Solutions telecommunications server prior to the cutover date via an effective option called “early boarding.” It is a proven means of mitigating disruption in EDI services during workload and/or systems transitions. Novitas Solutions will establish the interfaces to the TrailBlazer Part A Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) processing systems and all electronic claims submitted to Novitas Solutions will be processed just as if they were submitted to the TrailBlazer telecommunications server. For early boarding claim submissions, you will need to use your current contractor number and submitter ID and new Novitas Solutions login ID, once received, to access the Novitas Solutions telecommunications server. Those software vendors, billing services, and clearinghouses who are noted as certified vendors by TrailBlazer will receive the early boarding information letter to apprise them of all transition details. We strongly encourage all submitters to contact their individual software vendor to ensure their readiness to transition.

Novitas Solutions will provide notification via the JH MAC Transition Web site and the Segment IV JH Transition E-mail Lists when the connectivity testing and early board opportunities are available. 
https://www.novitas-solutions.com/transition/jh/edi/co-nm-ok-tx-wps-a.html
https://www.novitas-solutions.com/transition/jh/index.html
https://www.novitas-solutions.com/transition/jh/lists.html

Online Course – Establishing an Ethics Committee

The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice is offering an online course starting in September specifically for rural health facilities and critical access hospitals. The course runs from September 13 – November 1, 2012. This is a fully online course and mentoring program to assist small rural facilities and/or critical access hospitals establish and cultivate an ethics committee. This course will provide practical tools which can be put to use immediately – to create a new ethics committee or to improve upon a current ethics committee or program. Learn more and register.