If you haven’t already heard….Cavity Free at Three has moved!

The Cavity Free at Three program formerly housed at the University of Colorado has moved to The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Prevention Services Division in the Oral Health Unit. For more information on this program, please contact Anne Gibbs at 303-691-4907 or anne.gibbs@state.co.us.

CRHC Coloring Contest

The Colorado Rural Health Center is hosting a statewide coloring contest in celebration of National Rural Health Day, November 21st. All rural Colorado elementary and middle school students are welcome to participate. Students are asked to draw a picture depicting ways they stay healthy. The winning pictures will be featured during the week of November 18-22, on Colorado Rural Health Center’s website, social media and other media outlets.

If your school or community is interested in participating, click the following link for official entry form: http://www.coruralhealth.org/events/documents/2013AnnualConference_ColoringContest.pdf. Entries are requested to be submitted by October 4th, but that deadline has been extended to October 15th.

CREATE Application Tip of the Week - Submitting a Complete Application

When you're applying for CREATE, it is extremely important to ensure your narratives are complete. While you may be out in your community daily and understand the need better than anyone, the ERC also needs to understand. Without a full understanding of an entity's need, circumstances and thought process for choosing courses, the ERC is less able to make a fully informed decision on whether to approve or deny an application.

What does "complete" mean? "Complete" means the ERC likes to see narratives where:

• If a question has multiple parts, each part is addressed
• The need for CREATE funds is exhibited through facts, examples and explanations
• Attachments such as maps for proof of mileage, letters of support, financial documents (to read about the financial documents, click here), flyers and agendas for conferences, etc. are used to support the narratives
• A logical, concise explanation for why the requested course(s)/conference was/were chosen over another option

This list is not all inclusive, but don't worry. Narratives don't have to be overly long or extensive; they need to express the desire of an entity to further their quality of care through education and having CREATE funds would aid in achieving that goal.

A special shout out to Haxtun Hospital for their recently approved application - the ERC considered their application to be "a near perfect example" of how to correctly fill out a CREATE application.

If there are questions about the CREATE grant narratives, please contact Lakesha Jones, Grant Manger, at lj@couralhealth.org. For more information on CREATE, visit our web page at http://coruralhealth.org/programs/create/.

Success stories? Photos? General comments about CREATE? We'd love to hear from you and feature your story in our blog. Email your feedback to Samantha Hiner, Programs Coordinator, at sh@coruralhealth.org. 

New CREATE Awardees

Congratulations to the following entities for being awarded a CREATE fund at the September 24th ERC meeting:

• Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance
• City of Sterling Fire Department
• Costilla County Ambulance
• Haxtun Hospital District
• Highland Rescue Team
• Montezuma County EMS Council

If there are questions about CREATE, please contact Lakesha Jones, Grant Manger, at lj@couralhealth.org. For more information on CREATE, visit our web page at http://coruralhealth.org/programs/create/.

22nd Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference

The 22nd Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference will be held October 17-18, 2013. This year’s conference will provide participants with a wide range of educational topics, networking, resource opportunities and much more.

Opportunities to sponsor and exhibit at this conference are now available. Visit www.coruralhealth.org/events/annual.htm for more information and to register.

Register before September 18, and CRHC members will pay only $220, non-members will pay $370. After September 18 prices increase! Register now!

Physician at New Castle Family Health Attends Fall ICD-10 Workshops

We would like to honor and highlight Dr. Dennis Eicher from New Castle Family Health for attending the ICD-10 workshop in Rifle September 19th, 2013. Dr. Eicher took the lead for physicians in his community to learn and implement a successful ICD-10 transition process. We would like to send a special shout out to both he and his clinic for their pro-active engagement and participation in the fall ICD-10 workshop with RT Welter put on by CRHC.

As the October 1st roll-out date approaches maintaining and strengthening the communication between billers and physicians will help ensure top notch quality of care and a smoother ride for the facility. Having physicians such as Dr. Eicher recognize their role in starting the successful transition to ICD-10 means one less worry for everyone throughout the facility.

Thank you again to Dr. Eicher and his team for being at the forefront of this change.

CRHC Opens Website Request for Proposals (RFP)

DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE WEBSITE

The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) is preparing for a website redesign located at www.coruralhealth.org. Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) is a program of CRHC but currently has its own site and domain, www.coproviderrecruitment.org. The CPR site must be integrated into the CRHC site while keeping its own domain. The site maps for CRHC and CPR, respectively, can be found here: http://www.coruralhealth.org/sitemap.htm and http://www.coproviderrecruitment.org/sitemap.html.

There have been programming problems with the current CPR site that will need to be addressed and solutions created. Additionally, the current CRHC site has relevant content, but the formatting is difficult to navigate and maintain. Dreamweaver is used for website updates and a simpler program is desired to reduce maintenance time and to lessen the technical skills required of staff.

New additions to the website include an interactive password-protected area where members will be able to access privileged information. The overall template for the website should be created in a manner that allows content and graphics to be changed easily and regularly by staff.

The site does not need to rely on a database to display information. It relies on a static, HTML display.

For the full RFP, click here. 

Web Resources for Health, Nutrition and other Assistance Programs

The following links will provide information on eligibility requirements for various assistance programs and for locations of healthcare options and resources for uninsured and underinsured Coloradans.

Colorado PEAK (from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing): www.colorado.gov/peak – Find out if you’re eligible and/or apply for benefits, etc.

CCHI’s Blue Guide: http://blueguide.cohealthinitiative.org/ - Find many locations for types of care and Connect for Health CO assistance sites

Website from HCPF and other State Agencies: www.colorado.gov/health--Learn about Colorado’s Approach To Reforming Health Care

Piton Foundation offers free resources for organizations on the Affordable Care Act

The Denver-based Piton Foundation, a private, operating foundation that provides opportunities for children and families to move from poverty and dependence to self-reliance, is conducting a statewide public information campaign to help increase awareness about the new health coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act. Starting in October, low- to moderate-income, uninsured and under-insured Coloradans will have the opportunity to enroll in free coverage under Medicaid or purchase quality health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado’s marketplace.

As part of its outreach campaign, Piton has created a suite of educational materials in English and Spanish that organizations can use to help inform clients, patients and other potentially-eligible individuals about these new health coverage options. The materials include information on both the expansion in Medicaid eligibility and the ability for people to purchase lower-cost insurance through Connect for Health Colorado using federal assistance. Piton will provide these materials, which include a tri-fold brochure and poster, to organizations in any quantity needed for no cost.

The brochure and poster can be previewed here. To order printed copies of these materials in any quantity at no cost, please contact Melissa Viola at mviola@piton.org or 303-454-3768.

CMS Updates Hospital Inpatient Admission Order and Certification Requirements

CMS has updated the Hospital Inpatient Admission Order and Certification requirements. Click here to see the clarifying documentation of the requirements for orders and certification of hospital admissions, including CAH admissions, that came out in the IPPS Final Rule, which was put on display on August 2 and published on August 19. These requirements do apply to CAHs. 

JH Election of Cost Reimbursement for CRNA Services

Rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) or hospitals/CAHs reclassified to a rural area can qualify for reasonable cost reimbursement of anesthesia services performed in the hospital or CAH by a qualified non-physician anesthetist if they meet certain criteria and obtain approval for the CRNA/AA cost reimbursement. Non-physician anesthetists are defined as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologist’s assistants (AAs). The written requests for CRNA status evaluation must be submitted to our office prior to January 1, 2014. This deadline is mandated in the law and we cannot make exceptions for late receipt of information. Manual reference for election of cost reimbursement for CRNA services can be found at CFR 42 Section 412.113(c).

For more information click here. 

New Eligibility Fact Sheet Helps Health Care Professionals Determine eHealth Program Participation

CMS released a new resource that will help you as a health care professional determine your eligibility for eHealth programs. The tool outlines eligibility for eHealth programs based on your area of practice.

Eligibility information for the following eHealth programs is included:

• Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs
• eRx Incentive Program
• Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)

The tool also includes links to information and materials on other eHealth programs:

• Maintenance of Certification Program
• Physician Feedback/Value-Based Payment Modifier Program
• Medicare Shared Savings Program
• Advance Payment ACO Model
• Pioneer ACO Model

CMS encourages health care professionals to use this tool to determine the eHealth programs that affect your practice. You can find this resource, along with several other helpful tools and materials, on the Resources section of the eHealth website.

Want to find out more about eHealth?
Visit the CMS eHealth website for the latest news and updates on CMS eHealth initiatives.

ICD-10 Documentation Requirements - TA Call

In our on-going efforts to ensure that RHC personnel are fully prepared for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 on October 1, 2013, we are offering a follow-up presentation entitled, “ICD-10 Documentation Requirements.” The call is scheduled for 2:00pm EASTERN, Friday, September 27th. 

Our speaker, Dr. Joe Nichols is a recognized expert on physician coding and documentation.

A copy of Dr. Nichols’ slides are available for download from the NARHC Website:
ICD-10 Documentation Requirements

The call-in number for this call is: 800-779-3177. The access code is: 7614483. A recording and transcript of the call will be made available for those unable to listen/participate live.

There is no charge to participate in this conference call. Please feel free to share this with others whom you think might benefit from hearing this presentation.

Dr. Nichols will take questions from the audience at the conclusion of his presentation. If you would like to submit a question ahead of time, please send it to: info@narhc.org and put “RHC TA Question” in the subject line.

New FDA Rule Requires Unique Identifier On Medical Devices

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a final rule requiring that most medical devices distributed in the United States carry a unique device identifier, or UDI. The long awaited final rule will establish a system to identify devices through their entire distribution and use. The rule, released on September 20, 2013, finalizes a complete implementation of a national UDI system in stages over a period of seven years. When fully implemented, it will improve the quality of information in medical device adverse events reports by making it easier to identify devices. It will also allow the FDA, healthcare providers and industry to more quickly identify product problems and obtain key information to take appropriate and targeted corrective action and effectively manage the recall process to improve patient safety. It will also provide a standard and clear way to document device use in electronic health records, clinical information systems, claims data sources and registries. Research has shown that UDI can save as much as $16 billion annually by automating manual processes and improving efficiencies.

UDI on medical device label and package
A UDI is a unique numeric or alphanumeric code that includes a mandatory identifier – a different UDI is required for each version or model of a device. The system established by this rule requires the label and device package of a medical device to include a UDI in both plain-text and in a form that uses automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology. If the device is intended to be used more than once and intended to be reprocessed before each use, the UDI must be on the device itself. The identifier will include production-specific information, such as, the lot or batch number, the serial number and/or expiration date. All dates on device labels and packages are required to be presented in a standard format that is consistent with international standards and practice.

Searchable database to contain all UDIs
A publicly searchable database is being created by the FDA called the Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) that will include a standard set of basic identifying elements for each device with a UDI. This will reduce medical errors by removing any confusion and being able to positively identify a device and its key attributes without having to access multiple, inconsistent and potentially incomplete sources for information. No identifying patient information will be stored in this database.

Initial focus on high-risk devices
The UDI system will be implemented in phases over seven years, focusing first on Class III high-risk medical devices and implantable, life-supporting, and life sustaining devices. Many low-risk devices will be exempt from some or all of the requirements in the final rule.

UDI - a foundation for a global medical device identification system
The FDA notes that UDI will also provide a foundation for a globally recognized medical device identification system, as well as a secure distribution chain, helping to address counterfeiting and diversion and prepare for medical emergencies.

Resources
· Premier Safety Institute UDI website
· FDA UDI website (UDI final rule, Global Unique Identification Database (GUDID) guidance, and compliance dates)

Families Plus Went Live in August

The Families Plus staff in Delta, Colorado have been working to setup and organize cloud based electronic health records since the summer of 2012. At that time the Colorado Rural Health Center, extended a grant to Families Plus to purchase needed equipment and to buy into an electronic health system. After much research, PsychTech Solutions was selected; which offers a customized health records system to the needs of each individual health care organization. August 1st of this year was the Go Live date. All the records were set up and ready for use by the six mental health care professionals that wok for Families Plus. “The first month has been a dream come true” comments Dr. Brenda Holland, Executive Director of the program. All staff found the system easy to learn and fast in documenting the work being done in the organization. The PsychTech Solutions systems is so advanced that documents can be signed on tablet devices with no need for extra paper copies to be printed or handled unless they are requested.

Thanks to the Colorado Rural Health Center, Grants Council and United HealthGroup, Families Plus is operating a 21st century electronic system to keep up with patient growth and demands. Families Plus is a local nonprofit organization that work alongside of parents and volunteers to promote healthy development of all local children through good health care access, academic success, skill building activities and time with mentoring families

CREATE Application Tip of the Week

When you're applying for CREATE, it's important to keep in mind what CREATE funds will, and will not, cover. Referring to the Grant Guidelines can be helpful. 

A list of a few things that CREATE will cover include: tuition, lodging (at the most economical conference room rate), travel (at the current state mileage reimbursement rate), and in-state conference registration fees. 

An important reminder of what CREATE funds will not cover:

Salary backfill for staff to attend or to instruct courses is not allowed through CREATE funds but may be requested in the Personnel/Services category of the EMTS Provider Grants Program. More information on provider grants is located at www.coems.info under the Funding Program tab.

If there are questions about what CREATE funds cover, please contact Lakesha Jones, Grant Manger, at lj@couralhealth.org. For more information on CREATE, visit our web page at http://coruralhealth.org/programs/create/.

RHCs, Please Take this Important Survey! - Corrected Link

The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) advocates, supports, and promotes Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) locally and nationally. Increasingly Colorado’s RHCs are acknowledged by state healthcare leaders, foundations, governmental entities and regulatory agencies as critical safety net providers. And we know you deliver essential services every day to improve the health and support the well being of residents in your community. CRHC is working with ClinicNET, our partner organization that advocates for all of Colorado’s non-federally qualified safety net clinics, to gather 2012 data from Colorado’s RHCs through this brief 13 question survey. The information you provide will help continue to grow the recognition of your work and to quantify the impact of your services on your communities and the state overall. As you are aware, unlike other clinic types, RHCs receive no federal funding and CRHC receives no federal funding to support RHCs. When it comes time for the federal, state, or local government to make decisions regarding provider reimbursements, Medicare or Medicaid payments, public coverage program eligibility, electronic health records (EHR) incentives, or other important policy choices, the people making those decisions need to understand how they affect RHCs like yours. Click here to access the survey.

HSR&D Cyber October Webinars

MARK your calendars for these cyber seminars in OCTOBER 2013! 

Tuesday, October 1, 11:00am ET
Spotlight on Pain Management
Project STEP: The use of a mixed, qualitative and quantitative approach to studying and promoting implementation of the VHA Stepped Care Model of Pain Management by Robert Kerns, PhD


Wednesday, October 2, 2:00pm ET
HERC Econometrics with Observational Data
Econometrics Course: Introduction & Identification by Todd Wagner, PhD


Thursday, October 3, 3:00pm ET
Spotlight on Women's Health
Implications of the Affordable Care Act for Women by Alina Salganicoff, PhD


Monday, October 7, 1:00pm ET
VIReC Database and Methods Seminar
Overview of VA Data, Information Systems, National Databases and Research Uses by Denise Hynes, PhD, MPH, RN


Wednesday, October 9, 2:00pm ET
HERC Econometrics with Observational Data
Research Design by Christine Chee, Ph.D.


Thursday, October 10, 12:30pm ET
Spotlight on Evidence-based Synthesis Program
Using Comparative Effectiveness Review Findings in Practice: A new model by Mark Helfand, MD, MS, MPH


Thursday, October 10, 2:00pm ET
Mild TBI Diagnosis and Management Strategies
Photosensitivity after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Mechanism, Diagnosis and Treatment by Randy Kardon, MD, PhD


Tuesday, October 15, 12:00pm ET
VIReC Clinical Informatics Seminar
Patient Search Tool: CPRS Extension by Rachel Cornett, PharmD


Tuesday, October 15, 1:00pm ET
Timely Topics of Interest
Selecting a Valid Sample Size for Longitudinal and Multilevel Studies in Oral Behavioral Health by Henrietta Logan, PhD, Aarti Munjal, PhD, Sarah Kreidler, PhD (c), Deborah Glueck, PhD


Wednesday, October 16, 2:00pm ET
HERC Health Economics Seminar
Challenges Measuring Healthcare Costs Attributable to an Individual Chronic Condition by Steven Zeliadt, Ph.D.


Wednesday, October 16, 12:00pm ET
Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) Demonstration Labs
Making sense of the ideal and the real in PACT implementation using qualitative research Part II: The importance of being there by Samantha Solimeo, PhD, MPH, Anais Tuepker, PhD, MPH, Jane Forman, Sc.D., MHS, Molly Harrod, PhD, Sarah Ono, PhD


Wednesday, October 23, 2:00pm ET
HERC Econometrics with Observational Data 

Propensity Scores by Todd Wagner, PhD


Thursday, October 24, 1:00pm ET
QUERI Implementation Seminar
Laying the Groundwork for Implementation: The Case for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) QUERI by Henry Anaya, PhD


Tuesday, October 29, 2:00pm ET
VA Statisticians' Association
Interpretation of P-values: Challenges for the Replication and Comparison of Statistical Results by Ilana Belitskaya-Levy, PhD


Wednesday, October 30, 2:00pm ET
HERC Econometrics with Observational Data 

Instrumental Variables Models by Christine Chee, Ph.D.


Thursday, October 31, 2:00pm ET
Mild TBI Diagnosis and Management Strategies
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) for Symptomatic mTBI: The VA-DoD Experience by David Cifu, MD

Helping Physicians with EHR Maximization

Helping Physicians with EHR Maximization for clinical quality data collection, 

reporting and improving patient care

Physicians are bombarded with initiatives everyday and it often ends up sounding like alphabet soup. To help make sense of this ever-expanding list of acronym-shortened programs, the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC) is offering assistance to physicians to prioritize initiatives, understand the associated tasks to achieve each program’s goals and determine whether or not they are right for the practice.
As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Colorado, CFMC is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer services at no cost to the physician or the practice. To look at the services provided, please click here.

New Online ICD-10 Implementation Guide

The third annual National Health IT Week is September 16-20. CMS will mark the week by hosting several webinars and launching new eHealth tools and resources that help providers participate in eHealth programs.

To help the health care industry prepare for ICD-10, CMS has developed an online ICD-10 implementation guide. This web-based tool, released as part of Health IT Week, includes a basic overview of ICD-10 as well as step-by-step guidance on how to transition to ICD-10 for small/medium practices, large practices, small hospitals, and payers. Users can easily navigate to information that is most relevant to them—wherever they are in the implementation process. The online guide also includes links to CMS ICD-10 resources and other tools to help with the ICD-10 transition.

To learn more, check out the Online ICD-10 Guide.

Keep Up to Date on ICD-10
Visit the CMS ICD-10 website for the latest news and resources to help you prepare for the October 1, 2014, deadline. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

The Use of Clinical Decision Support to Improve Medication Management: Webinar

A National Webinar on the Use of Clinical Decision Support to Improve Medication Management  

Date: October 1, 2013

Time: 2:30-4:00 p.m., EDT

Overall Purpose:

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has identified a gap in health care and public health practitioners’ knowledge of health IT using multiple mechanisms, including the findings of the continuing education (CE) planning group. This series of Webinars is designed to increase practitioners’ ability to improve health care decisionmaking, support patient-centered care, and improve the quality and safety of care through the use of health IT. This session will identify strategies for using clinical decision support (CDS) to improve appropriate prescribing, dosing, and monitoring of medications by health care providers. The projects presented will discuss the role of CDS in enhanced medication management for pediatric, adult, and mental health care.  

Learning Objectives:

1)      Discuss the implementation of an EHR-based CDS application at the point of care on appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in otitis media care.

2)      Describe the evaluation of an EHR-integrated CDS system’s use of measurement-based care to improve medication management of patients with major depressive disorder.

3)      Discuss the assessment of CDS point-of-care alerts and an ambulatory EHR results management system in addressing laboratory monitoring and timely followup on abnormal results.

To Register:

1. Go to: https://ahrqnrc-conferences.webex.com/ahrqnrc-conferences/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=992951378

2. Select "Register."
3. On the registration form, enter your information and then select "Submit."

Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation Email with instructions on how to join the event.

For assistance:  Contact Jennifer Webb by Email at jrwebb@rti.org or by phone at (919) 541-6746.

CMS Releases Two Transmittals for CAH CoPs

Recently, the OIG issued a report indicating approximately two-thirds of the critical access hospitals (CAH) would lose their CAH designation if necessary provider status was rescinded. Prior to January 1, 2006, a state could designate a hospital as a CAH based on specific criteria as well as meeting their Conditions of Participation, even if the CAH was within the 35-mile boundary in relation to another hospital. Since then, CMS released two transmittals to update and clarify certain sections of the CAH Conditions of Participation.

Transmittal 90 issues guidance on when a CAH qualifies for using the lesser 15-mile standard for minimum distance from another hospital or CAH based on the definition of mountainous terrain or the availability of secondary roads between hospitals. This transmittal also clarifies whether a CAH meets the rural location requirements based on its physical location or redesignation as rural based on certain criteria. Both of these verification criteria were effective August 30, 2013, and should be reviewed by CAHs that fall under the distance exemption or rural reclassification.

For more information, click here.

Healthier Patients. Stronger Communities. Corps Community Day 2013

You’re invited to Colorado’s Corps Community Connection Event and Awards Ceremony, celebrating your organizations continued commitment to providing health care to those who experience barriers to primary health services. Rural health care is a vital part of the National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health Service Corps missions, and we would love to have you there!

At Corps Community Day you can:

• Meet and network with students/residents interested in working with a rural population
• Learn more about National Health Service Corps and Colorado Health
• Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs
• Be celebrated! Corps Community Day honors you and all the work that your clinic and staff do in our rural communities!
• Apply for a travel stipend for those traveling over 50 miles!
• Get in on the excitement and join our Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/152154914975617/?fref=ts

When: Friday, October 11, 2013, 6:00-8:00pm
Where: Double tree Hotel – Stapleton
4040 Quebec St.
Denver, CO 80216

To RSVP please visit
http://coloradopco.us2.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bvf432H1Y7hIbHL

**Once registered, don’t forget to nominate an outstanding NHSC or CHSC clinician or health professional student!**

For questions contact:
Sara Leahy
Colorado Provider Recruitment Program Manager
sl@coruralhealth.org
303.565.5848

CMS Stage 2 Guide for EHR Incentive Programs Available

Stage 2 Guide for the EHR Incentive Programs Now Available

CMS has released a new resource, An Eligible Professional’s Guide to Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs, which provides a comprehensive overview of Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs for eligible professionals. The guide outlines criteria for Stage 2 meaningful use, 2014 clinical quality measure reporting, and 2014 EHR certification.

The guide’s table of contents makes it easy for you to navigate through Stage 2 topics. Interactive tabs included at the bottom of each page allow you to transition between different chapters.

Chapters include:

• What is Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs? 
• What are the requirements under Stage 2 of Meaningful Use? 
• How will clinical quality measures (CQMs) change? 
• Resources 

The guide can be found on the Educational Resources page of the EHR website.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Rural Access to Emergency Devices (RAED) Training Funds Available

Colorado Rural Health Center has limited funding available through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s federal Office of Rural Health Policy RAED grant, to train first responders, as well as community members in CPR/AED courses. Entities eligible for this funding must be located in rural Colorado counties (contact Ron Seedorf at rs@coruralhealth.org for questions on eligibility) and courses must have been completed between 6/01/13 and 3/1/14.

Click here for more information on the program and reimbursement information.

For all questions regarding this funding contact: Ron Seedorf at 970-302-9021 or rs@coruralhealth.org

Risk Management: CRHC Webinar

Risk management plays a critical role in health care organizations.

What are key elements of risk management?

How does risk management integrate with other organization functions?

What is important to address in your risk management program?

Join us on Wednesday, September 25 for this webinar during which we will discuss risk management systems and programs to help you better understand and improve your organization’s risk management system.

To register, please click here. For further information or questions, please contact Caleb Siem at cs@coruralhealth.org. 

Use of In‐Home Monitoring Technology in Complex Care Coordination: Webinar

The National Telehealth Webinar Series

Presented by the National Network of Telehealth Resource Centers

Use of In‐Home Monitoring Technology in Complex Care Coordination

Thursday, September 19, 2013
8:00 AM HST, 10:00 AM AKDT, 11:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 2:00 PM EDT

Presented by:
Dew-Anne Langcaon, Co-Founder, Ho’okele Health Navigators Individuals with multiple and complex medical and social conditions are disproportionate drivers of healthcare costs and are generally experiencing poor individual health outcomes due to the lack of a methodical and holistic approach to coordinating their care and services within a fragmented healthcare delivery system. Learn how the rural Hawaii Island Beacon Community used care coordinators and advanced in-home monitoring technology to engage complex patients in active self-management of their chronic conditions and measurably improve their health status and reduce their total cost of care.

To join this webinar:
https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/sbtelehealth/

You can test your connection at: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.

For an overview of Adobe Connect, go to: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview.

The National Telehealth Webinar Series provides timely information to support and guide the development of your telehealth program by experienced telehealth professionals from the HRSA‐designated Telehealth Resource Centers.

These webinars are FREE to the public on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

TRC activity is supported by grants from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Office of Health Information Technology, Health Resources and Services Administration, DHHS

CMS: Non-physicians may document inpatient services orders

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued guidance interpreting its new requirements for admission and medical review criteria for hospital inpatient services under Medicare Part A. The five-page document clarifies the types of practitioners who may furnish orders for inpatient services and the types of information that must be included in those orders, the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported.

For the full report, click here.

WEDI/CMS Webinar on CMS eHealth

The third annual National Health IT Week is September 16-20. CMS will mark the week by hosting several webinars and launching new eHealth tools and resources that help providers participate in eHealth programs.

National Health IT Week eHealth Provider Webinar Series

Join Robert Tagalicod, Director of CMS’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS), and Robert Anthony, Deputy Director of the Health IT Initiatives Group, on Monday, September 16th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm ET, to learn more about the CMS eHealth initiative.

CMS and the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) are working together to present this webinar as part of National Health IT Week. OESS Director Tagalicod will explain how eHealth plays a central role in CMS’ health IT efforts, and how CMS is working with WEDI and other stakeholder groups to advance health care through eHealth. Deputy Director Anthony will provide an overview of the eHealth programs and explain how CMS is working to improve health care.

Register through WEDI to participate in this eHealth Webinar today!

CREATE Staff Attends 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb at Red Rocks

Wednesday marked 12 years since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center buildings, and the CREATE staff participated in the 9/11 Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison to honor every civilian and EMTS personal who lost their lives. Despite foggy and misty conditions, stair climb participants charged the air with a sense of anticipation. There was no rush to the top; there was no one waiting desperately for help; no smoke in the stairwells or heat coming from the other side of a door. But each boot and sneaker-heavy step was not without purpose.

After a moment of silence and a performance of Amazing Grace on the bag pipes, stair climb participants started their symbolic 110 story climb. CREATE staff handed out American flags to participants as well as firefighters. Many firefighters climbed the entire way in full protective gear, which can weigh up to 100 pounds! The CREATE staff was surely impressed; the most we put on was a hat!

After everyone caught their breath, the CREATE booth was hopping! It was fantastic to meet some of the firemen and women who were trained through CREATE funds and to inform others of the opportunity. Particular shout out to those who stopped by goes to: West Metro Fire Protection District (who hosted the event), Golden Fire Department, Rocky Mountain Fire Academy, Adams County Fire Protection District, Brighton Fire Department and St. Anthony's Emergency Medical Services.

Thanks for including CREATE in this momentous occasion.

For more information on CREATE visit our website at http://coruralhealth.org/programs/create/. You can contact Lakesha Jones, Grant Manager, atlj@coruralhealth.org.

Correct Reporting of Inpatient Hospital Initial Evaluation and Management (E&M) Services

This article addresses correct reporting, to Medicare, of Inpatient Hospital Initial E&M services whose documentation does not demonstrate required CPT™ key component work for CPT codes 99221, 99222, or 99223 and cannot otherwise be coded on the basis of time related to counseling and coordination.

All E&M services reported to Medicare for payment must meet all payment requirements of the Medicare program. The most important and apparent of these requirements are proper coding, medical reasonableness and necessity, appropriate signature/authentication, and, in certain instances, compliance with “incident to” requirements. In general, any physician service that does not match the work of a defined CPT code may be reported using an appropriate unspecified CPT code. Medicare manually reviews claims and often medical records associated with services reported with unspecified CPT codes to correctly determine coverage, medical necessity and assign correct reimbursement.

Incorrect provider reporting of initial hospital E&M services (99221-99223) not uncommonly results from medical records not demonstrating key component work of any of the three initial hospital E&M CPT codes (99221-99223). For services performed on or after 10/1/2013 Novitas, upon review of a claim for such a service, will re-code the service in order to reimburse the provider for the medically reasonable and necessary work demonstrated in the record. For E&M services performed on or after 10/1/13, when appropriate to do so, Novitas will allow the payment associated with an E&M code from the subsequent hospital services group (99231-99233). Such allowance is made when the medically reasonable and necessary key component work documented matches one of the CPT codes 99231-99233.

Providers who recognize their documentation is deficient for an initial hospital service but find the documentation satisfies the medical necessity and key component work of a subsequent hospital service should report the subsequent hospital service. Providers should report medically reasonable and necessary services for which documentation does not demonstrate key component work of any defined hospital E&M service using CPT code 99499, and must be prepared to submit records to substantiate Medicare payment.

As always, providers must take care to not report for payment services that are not reasonable and necessary or for which the work defined by the CPT code used is not documented.

Be a rural health rock star in the Lone Star state

Get your tickets today for NRHA's Rural Health Clinic Conference, Oct. 1-2, and Critical Access Hospital Conference, Oct. 2-4, in the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas.

This year, you'll discover the best rural-relevant ways to:

• implement health reform changes 
• leverage rural economic development and charitable giving for sustainability 
• navigate accountable care organizations 
• manage ICD-10 implementation and code changes 
• integrate telemedicine and achieve meaningful use 
• transform to a patient-centered medical home model 
• understand the regionalization of health services and role of population health on your community's future 
• improve patient safety, the discharge process, remote monitoring and more from experts and colleagues from across the country. 

A recent HHS report indicates that 846 CAHs would lose certification and funding if forced to re-enroll in the CAH program. Hear from your national advocates from NRHA and AHA on the impact of this recommendation and what you can do to make sure it doesn't happen.

Check out the best spots to eat, people-watch and explore in and around Austin from local NRHA member Dave Pearson.

Register today for one of NRHA's fastest-growing events.

Total Health for Patients Includes Nutrition?

Hunger is a serious—and often invisible—problem in Colorado.

In tens of thousands of homes across the state, our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. Parents are forced to choose between buying adequate, nutritious food for their children and paying rent and other bills. Too many children start the day hungry, unable to focus on learning at school. And, after a lifetime of working, Colorado seniors are left to fend for themselves and face the question of whether to buy needed medication or food.

Food and nutrition are key components of total health. Hunger Free Colorado is the state’s leading anti-hunger organization leveraging the power of collaboration, system change, policy change and social change to end hunger in Colorado. We cannot do it alone. Partnerships with organizations like your selves is the key to impacting and ending hunger in Colorado. Help to ensure that your patients have access to adequate food and nutritional resources for optimal health.

You can help provide a solution!

• Talk to your patients about food access and food security
• Screen patients for food insecurity
• Provide patients with a Hunger Free Hotline prescription for food 
• Send Hunger Free Colorado a secure, confidential, faxed referral, then our hotline navigators will follow up and connect patients to all of the food programs they may qualify

Call today to include these food and nutrition services in your medical center. The one-stop resource for food and nutrition in Colorado.

Expanding Stroke Rehabilitation: Office of Rural Health Webinar

Mark your calendar for the next Office of Rural Health Webinar!

Expanding Stroke Rehabilitation

Presented by Andrew Butler, Ph.D., MBA, PT

Thursday, September 19, 2013 | 2:00 ET

The webinar will address how robotic stroke therapy and telemedicine increases access, improves quality and patient satisfaction, as well as decreases the costs of care for stroke survivors in rural areas.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR

About the Presenter
Andrew Butler, Ph.D., MBA, PT is a Research Scientist at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. He is also a Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean for Research in the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State University. Dr. Butler is a neuroscientist and physical therapist with a special interest in recovery of movement in the upper limb of stroke survivors. He has been the Principal Investigator on multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH), VA and industry-sponsored grants. He has been on the mentoring team of 5 junior faculty K-awards and has been on multiple grant review panels. Over the past 15 years Dr. Butler has been awarded over $10 million in external funding to support his research. He is the Principal Investigator of the project “Expanding stroke telerehabilitation services to rural Veterans”, sponsored by the VHA Office of Rural Health.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR

Colorado ICD-10 Training Coalition Newsletter

ICD-10 Discussion with the Payers
Tuesday Sept. 17, 2013 | 12 - 1:30 PM MDT

Ever wonder how the payers are doing with their transition to ICD-10? Will they be ready Oct. 1, 2014? Do they anticipate any further delays?

Would you like to know when you can start testing? Will they be able to test with all providers? And what's the process for getting in line for testing?

Be sure to join us on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 12 - 1:30 PM when representatives from Anthem, Cigna, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare will answer these questions and more.

Click here to register today. If you have a question you want to be sure is addressed, send it in an email to marilyn_rissmiller@cms.org.

Now available: On-demand recording of Aug. 20 Q&A
Two of the ICD-10 Coalition members are coding consultants by trade: Sandy Giangreco, RHIT,CCS, RCC, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, PCS and Robin Linker, CHCA, CHCAS, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPC-P, MCS-P, CHC. During a conference call on Aug. 20, they reviewed the ICD-10 coding principle and answered attendees' questions.

Click here to view the on-demand recording. Click here to download the program slides.

ICD-10 does not just impact electronic transactions
The National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC) released an updated Health Insurance Claim Form, version 02/12. The NUCC updated the 1500 claim form to accommodate several changes, including the need to accept ICD-10 codes. The updated 1500 claim form allows physicians to identify the version of the diagnosis code set being reported (ICD-9 or ICD-10), expands the number of diagnosis codes that can be reported from four to 12, and improves the accuracy of certain data reported.

Medicare anticipates implementing the 02/12 1500 claim form as follows:

• Jan. 6, 2014: Medicare begins receiving and processing paper claims submitted on the 02/12 1500 claim form.
• Jan. 6 through March 31, 2014: Dual use period during which Medicare continues to receive and process paper claims submitted on the old 08/05 1500 claim form.
• April 1, 2014: Medicare receives and processes paper claims submitted only on the 02/12 1500 claim form.

A sample of the 02/12 1500 claim form is available on the NUCC website at www.nucc.org. Also available is the NUCC's 02/12 1500 Reference Instruction Manual, which provides instructions for completing the revised fields on the form.

Register for Sept. 24 physician documentation session
What do ICD-10 and E&M coding have in common? The answer is documentation. Appropriate physician documentation matters more today than perhaps ever before - not just because of audits, but also because of the looming conversion to ICD-10. Many practices fall down here and needlessly expose themselves to risks - financial and legal. Make sure you are doing it right.

Plan on attending this interactive training session specifically geared for physicians and their practice teams and taught by the recognized physician documentation experts at Physician Reimbursement Systems. It will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6-8:30 PM MDT at the Colorado Medical Society building in Denver. Learn how you can code better, get paid and still sleep at night.

Click here for more information and to register.

Webcast: EHR + ICD-10 = "Issues"
In this short webcast, Barbara Drury, president of Pricare Inc., discusses potential EHR issues around ICD-10. Barb provides great pointers that will assist you address these EHR considerations during your ICD-10 transition.

Click here to view the webcast. Click here to download the slides.

The Impact of the ACA on Safety Net Providers and their Patients: Opportunities for Outreach and Education Webcast

Save the Date!

The Impact of the ACA on Safety Net Providers and their Patients: Opportunities for Outreach and Education Webcast

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET

Join the webcast

Please join the Health Resources and Services Administration on Wednesday, September 18 at 12 pm ET for a webcast highlighting the impact of the Affordable Care Act on safety net providers and their patient populations. The session will include a brief overview of the two new opportunities for health care coverage and strategies that providers can take to educate their patients about the new insurance options available to them beginning on October 1, 2013. Information about the different types of consumer assistance available will be shared and there will be time for questions and answers as well. This presentation is open to all HRSA grantees.

Join the webcast

Health Information Technology and Quality Webinar

Health Resources and Services Administration

Health Information Technology and Quality Webinar

“Telehealth for Safety Net Providers”

Friday, September 20, 2013, 2PM - 3PM ET

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Telehealth technology can be a valuable addition to a wide variety of care settings, and can effectively shrink the distance between nodes of underserved care.

Presenters will provide an overview of some programs available to support the use of telehealth for medically underserved populations, and highlight examples of how this technology is currently being used to treat patients.

Presenters include:

• Matthew Quinn. Director of Healthcare Initiatives, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis
• Federal Communications Commission
• Brian Christensen, RN. Clinical Telehealth Coordinator
• REACH Network, Benefis Health System
• Gene Koppy. Project Director and Telehealth Technical Specialist
• REACH Network, Benefis Health System

Participants can register at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/uj9f002ra75h&eom.

Questions for presenters are welcome ahead of the event and may be emailed to healthit@hrsa.gov.

Previous HRSA Health IT and Quality Webinars can be accessed at the HRSA Health IT and Quality Webinar website:http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/toolbox/webinars/

Regulatory Updates

Inpatient Prospective Payment System/Long Term Care Hospital Final Rule
On August 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a FY 2014 final rule. Highlights include: 

• Clarified that critical access hospitals (CAHs) must be able to provide inpatient care on-site 
• Establishes a "two midnights" policy regarding inpatient admissions 
• Hospitals may no longer claim full-time equivalent (FTE) residents training at a CAH for graduate medical education (GME) purposes. CAHs training residents may receive payment based on 101% of Medicare share of reasonable costs 
• Implements Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment. DSH hospitals will receive 25% of their current payments, with the remaining 75% adjusted for decreases in uninsured rate 
• Expiration of the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program 
• A 2% payment reduction for hospitals with excess readmissions. Adds conditions subject to the payment reduction 
• Finalizes the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction program framework for implementation in FY 2015, including a 1% payment reduction for the lowest-performing hospitals 
• Mandated payment adjustment to recoup prior years' documentation and coding overpayments 

Outpatient Prospective Payment System/ASC
CMS issued a CY 2014 proposed rule. CMS proposes to:

• Enforce direct supervision requirement for hospital outpatient therapy services at CAHs and other small rural hospitals 
• Amend conditions of participation (CoPs) for hospital and CAH "incident to" therapeutic outpatient services and supplies to require that individuals furnishing them do so in compliance with applicable state law 
• Implement Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program changes to allow participation by eligible professionals at Method II CAHs 
• Package seven new categories of supporting items and services with primary services 
• Replace five levels of outpatient visit codes with a single healthcare common procedure coding system (HCPCS) code for each type of outpatient hospital visit, one for clinic, and one for each type of emergency department visit (24 hour and non-24 hour) 
• Add five new measures for the Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) program, affecting CY 2016 payment with data collection beginning in CY 2014 
• Set performance (2014) and baseline (2012) periods for the CY 2016 value-based purchasing 
• Change the contracting process and regulations governing eligibility for quality improvement organizations (QIOs) 

Physician Fee Schedule
CMS issued a CY 2014 proposed rule. CMS proposes to:

• Apply the outpatient therapy cap on CAHs (using physician fee schedule payment rates to calculate) 
• Redefine a rural health professional shortage area (HPSA) for purposes of telehealth originating site eligibility by using the ORHP rural definition 
• Require compliance with state law as a CoP for "incident to" services 
• Implement a process to change clinical laboratory fee schedule payment amounts based on changes in technology 
• Continue implementation of the physician value modifier 
• Applicable to physicians in groups of 10 or more eligible professionals 
• Increase payment risk from 1% to 2% 
• Align quality measures and reporting mechanisms with PQRS 
• Update Physician Quality Reporting System, electronic prescribing, Medicare Shared Savings Program/accountable care organization, and Physician Compare 
• Update the Ambulance Fee Schedule 
• Rural ground ambulance payment increases 3% 
• Non-emergency end stage renal disease patient transport payment reduced 10% 
• Beginning studies of ambulance service data

RHCs, Please Take this Important Survey!

The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) advocates, supports, and promotes Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) locally and nationally. Increasingly Colorado’s RHCs are acknowledged by state healthcare leaders, foundations, governmental entities and regulatory agencies as critical safety net providers. And we know you deliver essential services every day to improve the health and support the well being of residents in your community. CRHC is working with ClinicNET, our partner organization that advocates for all of Colorado’s non-federally qualified safety net clinics, to gather 2012 data from Colorado’s RHCs through this brief 13 question survey. The information you provide will help continue to grow the recognition of your work and to quantify the impact of your services on your communities and the state overall. As you are aware, unlike other clinic types, RHCs receive no federal funding and CRHC receives no federal funding to support RHCs. When it comes time for the federal, state, or local government to make decisions regarding provider reimbursements, Medicare or Medicaid payments, public coverage program eligibility, electronic health records (EHR) incentives, or other important policy choices, the people making those decisions need to understand how they affect RHCs like yours. Click here to access the survey

4th Annual Health Care Career Event, Colorado Hospital Association

The Colorado Hospital Association will be hosting their 4th Health Career Event Monday, October 14th at Sports Authority Field from 1pm - 6pm. This event will be kicked off by Art Gonzalez, Dr. P.H., FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Denver Health, who will say a few words to experienced job seekers about adapting to health care changes as a mid-career professional. Free career coaching workshops for experienced health care professionals led by Phyllis Quinlan, RN-Bc, PhD will take place at 1:30 and 3:30pm.

The early bird discounted booth cost for exhibitors is $749 through Sept 15st and includes a free job posting to the National Healthcare Career Network.

To see the flyer for the event, click here.

To reserve a booth: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=tog6xvgab&oeidk=a07e7xq5682995737ec

Novitas: New Teleconference Registration Process

Novitas Solutions now requires registration for all teleconferences. Our new teleconference registration system will automatically provide you with confirmation of your registration. The confirmation will include a calendar reminder. Registering for teleconferences will allow us to send you additional information timely.

Register today for our upcoming teleconferences:

JH Part A Ask-The-Contractor Teleconference on September 19, 2013 (Register at:http://dpregister.com/10033389)

JH Part B Ask-The-Contractor Teleconference on September 24, 2013 (Register at:http://dpregister.com/10033429)

JH/JL Part A/B EDI Connections-Partnering for the Future on September 25, 2013 (Register at:http://dpregister.com/10033425)

CDC Stacks – Free Digital Library

CDC Stacks allows CDC to connect with more people and share its research. Public health and scientific advancement are best served when scientific information is openly shared and used by the public, public health professionals, health care providers, educators, policy makers, businesses, and private sector organizations. With greater public access, CDC can maximize the effect of public health science and improve the health of the nation. To access the site, click here.

Updated - JH Fall Symposium Handout

"Overview of the: National Coverage Determination Process and Local Coverage Determination, Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage, and Appeal Process"

https://www.novitas-solutions.com/calendar/partab/ws-fall-jh.html
The Fall Symposium handout has been updated for the event titled "Overview of the: National Coverage Determination Process and Local Coverage Determination, Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage, and Appeal Process." Please visit our website for the updated handout materials.

What works to prevent obesity in children? Findings from a Comparative Effectiveness Review and Meta-Analysis: Webinar

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is presenting a special webinar on childhood obesity prevention programs on Thursday, September 26, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EDT (2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CDT and 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. PDT). This event is open to AHRQ's Effective Health Care (EHC) Program National Partnership Network members. We encourage you to share this notice by forwarding this email and announcing the event on your social media networks.

Childhood obesity is a serious health problem in the United States. Current national data indicate approximately one-third of U.S. children and adolescents are obese or overweight, and more are at risk of becoming obese and of premature onset of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some types of cancer. A number of leading health organizations and expert panels, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Institute of Medicine, have recommended comprehensive interventions to fight the growing global childhood obesity epidemic. But what works? How can we effectively address this intractable public health issue in our nation? This webinar will discuss these questions by summarizing a recent EHC Program report on this issue.

Registration and Logistics
Registration is free, but space is limited. To register and receive information to access this webinar, please click on the following link and select "Attend Event" no later thanThursday, September 12. https://childhoodobesityprograms.eventbrite.com



Questions for Dr. Wang? Send them to karen.costa@ahrq.hhs.gov no later thanThursday, September 19. Questions sent prior to the webinar will receive priority during the Question & Answer portion of the agenda.

CREATE Application Tip of the Week - Required Documents

When submitting for both a Financial Waiver and General Application, be sure to include the following required three financial documents with the application:

• Balance Sheet (Most Recent Fiscal Year) 
• Income Statement (Most Recent Fiscal Year) 
• Budget (Current Fiscal Year) 

By including these documents, the Review Committees will better be able to understand the need an entity has for receiving a CREATE match.

If there are questions about these documents, or if an entity needs assistance in supplying replacement documents, please contact Lakesha Jones, Grant Manger, at lj@couralhealth.org. For more information on CREATE, visit our web page at http://coruralhealth.org/programs/create/.

Rural Access to Emergency Devices (RAED) Training Funds Available

Colorado Rural Health Center has limited funding available through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s federal Office of Rural Health Policy RAED grant, to train first responders, as well as community members in CPR/AED courses. Entities eligible for this funding must be located in rural Colorado counties (contact Ron Seedorf at rs@coruralhealth.org for questions on eligibility) and courses must have been completed between 6/01/13 and 3/1/14.

Click here for more information on the program and reimbursement information.

For all questions regarding this funding contact: Ron Seedorf at 970-302-9021 or rs@coruralhealth.org

What is a Rural Health Clinic? RHC 101 Webinar!

Interested in learning more about certified Rural Health Clinics? The Colorado Rural Health Center is excited to bring you an informative webinar for Colorado Residents to learn about what an RHC is. We will discuss Policies and Procedures, Conditions of Participation, Compliance Issues and share resources that will be helpful to you along your journey.

CRHC is able to offer this webinar free of charge to CRHC members and for $49.00 for non-CRHC members. You will be invoiced after the webinar. To see if your organization is a current CRHC member, click here. You will be invoiced after attending the webinar.

To register please click here

For more information please contact Samantha Hiner at sh@coruralhealth.org

JH Call Center Hour Changes for September 6 and 13, 2013

The training times for September 6, 2013 and September 13, 2013 will change for the Jurisdiction H Customer Service Center that services the Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Indian Health Service(IHS)/Tribal/Urban Indian and Veterans Affairs Providers. The Call Center hours for these days will be as follows:

Call Center will be open from: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM CT
Call Center will be in training from: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CT

The EDI platforms will be available for claim submission, report retrieval, and claim status inquiry. The Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVR), Direct Data Entry (DDE) functions and Professional Provider Telecommunications Network (PPTN) will be available.

https://www.novitas-solutions.com/parta/whatsnew/index.html