Please let us know if you have any questions!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Clinics- Please Complete Your Clinic Profile!
If you haven't done so already, please complete and return the 2015 Clinic Profile document to Liz Kelman at lk@coruralhealth.org
This profile is sent out annually to all rural clinics in Colorado to be completed by clinic leadership staff. We at CRHC understand the time restraints you and your staff have and the heavy workload that you carry. It is not our intention to add to this load, but to collect pertinent information from you that will in turn help us to advocate on your behalf. It is extremely important to collect even the minimal amount of demographic data from all rural clinics in the state in order to have a unified voice in promoting services, payment reform and funding opportunities for you. In addition, having up to date contact information will ensure that you receive all updates and announcements from us in a timely manner.
Billing and Coding Workshops- ICD-10 Preparation for Rural Healthcare Facilities
Billing and Coding –Working Through ICD-10 Together
ICD-10 Workshop for Rural Healthcare Facilities
Presented By: ARHPC – Gary Lucas, CPC, CPC-I, AHIMA ICD-10 Ambassador, ARHPC Adjunct Faculty
Dates and Locations:
**Topics covered will require the following coding manuals: ICD-10CM (2014)**
How to assure claims will be processed and revenue cycles won’t crash and burn
• Conversion of top 20 codes for your facility
⇒ creating documentation tips for providers)
• Review ICD-9 claims denied-reworked-successfully resubmitted
⇒ now rework using ICD-10 (documentation gap analysis – stage 2)
⇒ start your ICD-10 workflow analysis (what adjustments will you need to make)
• Are your vendors and payers really ready?
• How will your query process change?
• What to do if providers just won’t engage.
***All attendees MUST bring their coding manual with them, to the class.***
This class is approved for 5 hours of CEU’s and recognized by AHIMA
Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be eligible to take an ICD-10 proficient test through ARHPC at no additional cost.
Pricing
SHIP Grant Participants: $60.00/person
(use coupon code: SHIPGRANT)
Not sure if you are a SHIP Grant participant? Click here
ICD-10 Workshop for Rural Healthcare Facilities
Presented By: ARHPC – Gary Lucas, CPC, CPC-I, AHIMA ICD-10 Ambassador, ARHPC Adjunct Faculty
Dates and Locations:
**Topics covered will require the following coding manuals: ICD-10CM (2014)**
How to assure claims will be processed and revenue cycles won’t crash and burn
• Conversion of top 20 codes for your facility
⇒ creating documentation tips for providers)
• Review ICD-9 claims denied-reworked-successfully resubmitted
⇒ now rework using ICD-10 (documentation gap analysis – stage 2)
⇒ start your ICD-10 workflow analysis (what adjustments will you need to make)
• Are your vendors and payers really ready?
• How will your query process change?
• What to do if providers just won’t engage.
***All attendees MUST bring their coding manual with them, to the class.***
This class is approved for 5 hours of CEU’s and recognized by AHIMA
Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be eligible to take an ICD-10 proficient test through ARHPC at no additional cost.
Pricing
SHIP Grant Participants: $60.00/person
(use coupon code: SHIPGRANT)
Not sure if you are a SHIP Grant participant? Click here
All others: $179.00
*Early bird discount $10 off available until June 12th
Questions? Contact Danette Swanson atds@coruralhealth.org or call 303.577.0357. Questions about payment or registration, contact web@coruralhealth.org or call 303.832.7493.
Cancellation Policy: An alternate registrant from the same institution will be accepted under the original registration. Registration fees are non-refundable unless notice of an individual’s cancellation is received at CRHC two weeks prior to the date of the boot camp.
CRHC IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE FEDERAL HRSA SMALL RURAL HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (SHIP) GRANT: CFDA 93.301; AWARD 5 H3HRH00038-13-00 (9-1-2014 THROUGH 8-31-2015)
*Early bird discount $10 off available until June 12th
Questions? Contact Danette Swanson atds@coruralhealth.org or call 303.577.0357. Questions about payment or registration, contact web@coruralhealth.org or call 303.832.7493.
Cancellation Policy: An alternate registrant from the same institution will be accepted under the original registration. Registration fees are non-refundable unless notice of an individual’s cancellation is received at CRHC two weeks prior to the date of the boot camp.
CRHC IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE FEDERAL HRSA SMALL RURAL HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (SHIP) GRANT: CFDA 93.301; AWARD 5 H3HRH00038-13-00 (9-1-2014 THROUGH 8-31-2015)
CRHC ICD-10 Webinars-Register Today!
Preparing for ICD-10 Through Clinical Documentation Awareness Teams
Please join us for the next webinar in our ICD-10 training series on Thursday June 11, 2015 from NOON to 1:00 pm.This course presented by the Association for Rural Health Professional Coding (ARHPC) is intended for any person who documents in a medical record (MD, DO, NP, PA, etc.) or uses clinical documentation for revenue purposes or tracking patient care and is expected to be impacted by the nationally mandated transition to ICD-10-CM in October 2015.
A particular focus is on forming internal documentation teams designed to determine and track the expected impact of ICD-10 on each clinical provider’s documentation via a Dual Coding and Clinical Documentation Awareness Plan.
This webinar series is free to hospitals participating in the Colorado FY2014 SHIP grant program as well as CRHC members.
Register here!
Completing Dual Coding ICD-10 Crosswalk Worksheets
Please join us for the next webinar in our ICD-10 training series: Tuesday June 16, 2015 from NOON to 1:00 pm.
This course, presented by the Association for Rural Health Professional Coding (ARHPC), is intended for anybody who is an active participant in analyzing the impact of ICD-10’s potential documentation changes via a Dual Coding program.
A natural follow-up to session #1 we will present 2 versions of a template that you can use to capture the differences (if any) between what is required from a documentation standpoint when moving from ICD-9 to ICD-10 for your most common diagnoses. We will be reviewing some completed tools that we have already done on common diagnoses and diagnosis sections.
This webinar series is free to hospitals participating in the Colorado FY2014 SHIP grant program as well as CRHC members.
This course, presented by the Association for Rural Health Professional Coding (ARHPC), is intended for anybody who is an active participant in analyzing the impact of ICD-10’s potential documentation changes via a Dual Coding program.
A natural follow-up to session #1 we will present 2 versions of a template that you can use to capture the differences (if any) between what is required from a documentation standpoint when moving from ICD-9 to ICD-10 for your most common diagnoses. We will be reviewing some completed tools that we have already done on common diagnoses and diagnosis sections.
This webinar series is free to hospitals participating in the Colorado FY2014 SHIP grant program as well as CRHC members.
NRHA Today Articles
National Rural Health Association Newsletter
In this issue:
• White House to unveil pilot programs to tackle rural poverty
• Study: Pediatric telemedicine at rural EDs nets savings
• Lawmakers, rural hospitals try to address financial challenges
• 340B pits rural hospitals against doctors against big pharma
• HRSA to support rural hospitals in areas of persistent poverty
• Former NRHA-member hospital closes
• School-based telemedicine brings docs to rural students
• USDA offers telemedicine funds
• Apply today for CMS navigator grants
• Mental health program receives national award
• HHS to fund those serving the underserved
• Save on NRHA’s next conference
• Rural crews, helicopters get patients to trauma centers faster
• COPD risk higher in rural
• Reimbursement cuts threaten rural home health companies
• Submit to present at NRHA events
In this issue:
• White House to unveil pilot programs to tackle rural poverty
• Study: Pediatric telemedicine at rural EDs nets savings
• Lawmakers, rural hospitals try to address financial challenges
• 340B pits rural hospitals against doctors against big pharma
• HRSA to support rural hospitals in areas of persistent poverty
• Former NRHA-member hospital closes
• School-based telemedicine brings docs to rural students
• USDA offers telemedicine funds
• Apply today for CMS navigator grants
• Mental health program receives national award
• HHS to fund those serving the underserved
• Save on NRHA’s next conference
• Rural crews, helicopters get patients to trauma centers faster
• COPD risk higher in rural
• Reimbursement cuts threaten rural home health companies
• Submit to present at NRHA events
New Affordable Care Act payment model seeks to reduce cardiovascular disease
HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs Notification
May 28, 2015
From: Paul Dioguardi
Director, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
RE: New Affordable Care Act payment model seeks to reduce cardiovascular disease
Speaking today at the White House Conference on Aging regional forum in Boston, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced a unique opportunity for health care providers to decrease cardiovascular disease risk for tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries by assessing an individual patient’s risks for heart attack or stroke and working with them to reduce those risks.
Heart attacks and strokes are a leading cause of death and disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year – accounting for one in every four deaths and costing an estimated $315.4 billion annually. The Million Hearts® Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Reduction model proposes an innovative way of lowering those risks. Currently, providers are paid to meet specific blood pressure, cholesterol or other targets for their patients as a group. In a new approach, the Million Hearts® model will use a data-driven, widely accepted predictive modelling approach to generate personalized risk scores and modification plans for patients.
Beginning today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting applications for the Million Hearts® CVD Risk Reduction model. Health care providers who participate in the model will work with Medicare beneficiaries to determine their individual risk for a heart attack or stroke in the next ten years (for example, 25 percent). Then, providers will work with patients to identify the best approach to reduce their individual risk —for example, stopping smoking, reducing blood pressure, or taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or aspirin—and show them the benefits of each approach. Each patient will get a personalized risk modification plan that will target their specific risk factors. Providers will be paid for reducing the absolute risk for heart disease or stroke among their high-risk patients.
For additional information about Million Hearts® CVD Risk Reduction model, including the request for applications, click here.
You can find the full press release here.
Questions or Concerns? Contact HHSIEA@hhs.gov.
May 28, 2015
From: Paul Dioguardi
Director, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
RE: New Affordable Care Act payment model seeks to reduce cardiovascular disease
Speaking today at the White House Conference on Aging regional forum in Boston, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced a unique opportunity for health care providers to decrease cardiovascular disease risk for tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries by assessing an individual patient’s risks for heart attack or stroke and working with them to reduce those risks.
Heart attacks and strokes are a leading cause of death and disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year – accounting for one in every four deaths and costing an estimated $315.4 billion annually. The Million Hearts® Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Reduction model proposes an innovative way of lowering those risks. Currently, providers are paid to meet specific blood pressure, cholesterol or other targets for their patients as a group. In a new approach, the Million Hearts® model will use a data-driven, widely accepted predictive modelling approach to generate personalized risk scores and modification plans for patients.
Beginning today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting applications for the Million Hearts® CVD Risk Reduction model. Health care providers who participate in the model will work with Medicare beneficiaries to determine their individual risk for a heart attack or stroke in the next ten years (for example, 25 percent). Then, providers will work with patients to identify the best approach to reduce their individual risk —for example, stopping smoking, reducing blood pressure, or taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or aspirin—and show them the benefits of each approach. Each patient will get a personalized risk modification plan that will target their specific risk factors. Providers will be paid for reducing the absolute risk for heart disease or stroke among their high-risk patients.
For additional information about Million Hearts® CVD Risk Reduction model, including the request for applications, click here.
You can find the full press release here.
Questions or Concerns? Contact HHSIEA@hhs.gov.
MLN Connects Provider eNews for May 28th, 2015
Can't view the image? Read the eNews!
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
- MLN Connects® National Provider Calls
- 2014 Mid-Year QRURs — Last Chance to Register
- Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO: Application Review — Register Now
- National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI — Register Now
- Hospice Quality and Hospice Item Set Manual V1.02 — Register Now
- ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Register Now
- ESRD QIP: Reviewing Your Facility's PY 2016 Performance Data — Registration Now Open
- ESRD QIP: Proposed Rule for Payment Year 2019 — Registration Now Open
- New MLN Connects® National Provider Call Audio Recording and Transcript
- Participate in Final ICD-10 Acknowledgement Testing Week: June 1 through 5
- Special Open Door Forum: Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements
- Physician Compare Virtual Office Hour Session
- EHR Proposed Rules: Recordings and Presentations from Webinars
- Notices of Intent to Apply for Medicare Shared Savings Program January 1, 2016, Start Date Due by May 29
- 2015 PQRS GPRO: 4 Weeks Left to Register by June 30 Deadline
- HHS Awards $112 Million to Help 5,000 Primary Care Professionals Advance Heart Health
- Guidance on Beneficiary Disenrollments by Long Term Care Facilities
- ICD-10 FAQs: CMNs and Prescriptions
- Transition to ICD-10 for Home Health
- April 2015 IOCE Updated with ICD-10-CM Codes
- Coding for ICD-10-CM: Continue to Report CPT/HCPCS Modifiers for Laterality
- Mass Adjustment of FQHC PPS Claims
- “Medically Unlikely Edits Compliant” Podcast — Released
- “Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program - A Compilation of 2013 Educational Resources” Booklet — Released
- “Medicare Appeals Process” Fact Sheet — Revised
"Tobacco is Even Scarier" Campaign from Jefferson County Public Health
Jefferson County Public Health releases “Tobacco is Even Scarier” campaign
27 May 2015 02:53 PM
Afraid of snakes? Guess what? … They kill about 8 people in the United States per year while cigarettes kill almost half a million. In a new youth-targeted media campaign, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) intends to put common fears of snakes, bears, sharks and spiders into perspective and expose tobacco as the real threat.
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more deaths are caused by tobacco use than by all deaths from illegal drug use, alcohol use, HIV, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined. According to the Surgeon General, nearly 9 out of 10 people who smoke start by age 18, and 99% start before the age of 26. Most recently, teen use of nicotine-delivering electronic smoking devices (ESDs) has increased dramatically. This April 2015, the CDC released data from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey reporting that high school and middle school use of ESDs tripled from 2013 to 2014.
The new “Tobacco is Even Scarier” campaign is intended to discourage young people from starting tobacco and to help current tobacco users to get help with breaking free from nicotine addiction, including addiction caused by the use of ESDs. This summer, the campaign will feature digital and mobile advertisements in addition to movie theater public service announcements.
View video here: https://youtu.be/OMVwB4MgLus.
To learn more, go to www.tobaccofreejeffco.com/youth-prevention/.
27 May 2015 02:53 PM
Afraid of snakes? Guess what? … They kill about 8 people in the United States per year while cigarettes kill almost half a million. In a new youth-targeted media campaign, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) intends to put common fears of snakes, bears, sharks and spiders into perspective and expose tobacco as the real threat.
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more deaths are caused by tobacco use than by all deaths from illegal drug use, alcohol use, HIV, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined. According to the Surgeon General, nearly 9 out of 10 people who smoke start by age 18, and 99% start before the age of 26. Most recently, teen use of nicotine-delivering electronic smoking devices (ESDs) has increased dramatically. This April 2015, the CDC released data from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey reporting that high school and middle school use of ESDs tripled from 2013 to 2014.
The new “Tobacco is Even Scarier” campaign is intended to discourage young people from starting tobacco and to help current tobacco users to get help with breaking free from nicotine addiction, including addiction caused by the use of ESDs. This summer, the campaign will feature digital and mobile advertisements in addition to movie theater public service announcements.
View video here: https://youtu.be/OMVwB4MgLus.
To learn more, go to www.tobaccofreejeffco.com/youth-prevention/.
Medicare Symposium June 2015
June 2015 Medicare Symposium
There is still time to register for our upcoming 2015 Medicare Symposiums!
Join us for our symposium in Denver, CO on Wednesday, June 10! This event will be held at the Embassy Suites Denver-Stapleton.
Learn what is changing and trending now in Medicare. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with the Novitas Solutions Provider Outreach and Education team and network with their colleagues.
Find out what the Novitas Solutions symposiums have to offer by reviewing our course listings and agenda in the 2015 Medicare Symposium brochure on our website.
Registration is available for other symposiums, including:
There is still time to register for our upcoming 2015 Medicare Symposiums!
Join us for our symposium in Denver, CO on Wednesday, June 10! This event will be held at the Embassy Suites Denver-Stapleton.
Learn what is changing and trending now in Medicare. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with the Novitas Solutions Provider Outreach and Education team and network with their colleagues.
Find out what the Novitas Solutions symposiums have to offer by reviewing our course listings and agenda in the 2015 Medicare Symposium brochure on our website.
Registration is available for other symposiums, including:
- Little Rock, AR
- Austin, TX
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Frisco, TX
SAMHSA's Topics in the News
Mental Wellness in Children
Transitioning from the Month of the Military Child into a month that emphasizes mental health awareness is a great time to discuss mental wellness in children. Each May, Mental Health America reaches millions across the country to highlight the importance of mental health education and treatment.
Read more…
Airmen Can Access Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care Clinics
Airmen, veterans, and family members seeking care for a variety of mental health and medical conditions have direct access to care from their primary care clinic. The support is available through the Air Force's Behavioral Health Optimization Program, a consultation service within primary care designed to target any issue affecting a person's overall health and optimal functioning.
Read more…
Join TRICARE in Supporting Mental Wellness During Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health care is an important yearlong priority for the Military Health System (MHS). While we always encourage our beneficiaries to raise their awareness and take advantage of their mental health benefits, during May, TRICARE and the MHS are recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month.
Read more…
Social Security: Online Access Can Help Veterans and Families
On Memorial Day, we honor men and women who died while courageously serving in the U.S. military. We also recognize active duty service members, especially those who have been wounded. Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades to thank our service members and their families for their sacrifices.
Read more…
Seven Simple Tools That Have Changed Deployments For Military Families
Deployments can present challenges for military families. They worry about their loved ones who are called to duty, and are sometimes stressed by things on the home front as well. Much of how a deployment turns out for a military family is unpredictable. However, there’s a lot about a deployment that one can plan and prepare for, such as sharing of certain responsibilities, quality communication, identifying key resources like child care services and legal counsel, to name a few.
Read more…
As PTSD Cases are Surging, Army Overhauling Mental Health Services
The Army is overhauling mental health services after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, aiming to end an era of experimentation in which nearly 200 programs were tried on different bases. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord and elsewhere, the Army has pushed counseling teams out of hospitals to embed with troops. It’s also cutting back the use of private psychiatric hospitals while expanding intensive mental health programs at military facilities such as Madigan Army Medical Center.
Read more…
Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling [Part Two]
The rapid growth of websites, applications, and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.
Read more...
Connect with the Make the Connection Movement
They spoke up. Will you? This Mental Health Awareness Month, connect with the movement of veterans discussing their mental health challenges and their journeys toward recovery. Support the powerful movement of veterans who are inspiring their peers to reach out. Visit our dedicated Mental Health Awareness Month page for simple actions you can take to have an impact.
Learn more...
The Hungry Heart Movie Trailer
The trailer for Bess O'Brien's new documentary, The Hungry Heart, which provides an intimate look at the often hidden world of prescription drug addiction through the world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease.
Watch the trailer…
Transitioning from the Month of the Military Child into a month that emphasizes mental health awareness is a great time to discuss mental wellness in children. Each May, Mental Health America reaches millions across the country to highlight the importance of mental health education and treatment.
Read more…
Airmen Can Access Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care Clinics
Airmen, veterans, and family members seeking care for a variety of mental health and medical conditions have direct access to care from their primary care clinic. The support is available through the Air Force's Behavioral Health Optimization Program, a consultation service within primary care designed to target any issue affecting a person's overall health and optimal functioning.
Read more…
Join TRICARE in Supporting Mental Wellness During Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health care is an important yearlong priority for the Military Health System (MHS). While we always encourage our beneficiaries to raise their awareness and take advantage of their mental health benefits, during May, TRICARE and the MHS are recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month.
Read more…
Social Security: Online Access Can Help Veterans and Families
On Memorial Day, we honor men and women who died while courageously serving in the U.S. military. We also recognize active duty service members, especially those who have been wounded. Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades to thank our service members and their families for their sacrifices.
Read more…
Seven Simple Tools That Have Changed Deployments For Military Families
Deployments can present challenges for military families. They worry about their loved ones who are called to duty, and are sometimes stressed by things on the home front as well. Much of how a deployment turns out for a military family is unpredictable. However, there’s a lot about a deployment that one can plan and prepare for, such as sharing of certain responsibilities, quality communication, identifying key resources like child care services and legal counsel, to name a few.
Read more…
As PTSD Cases are Surging, Army Overhauling Mental Health Services
The Army is overhauling mental health services after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, aiming to end an era of experimentation in which nearly 200 programs were tried on different bases. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord and elsewhere, the Army has pushed counseling teams out of hospitals to embed with troops. It’s also cutting back the use of private psychiatric hospitals while expanding intensive mental health programs at military facilities such as Madigan Army Medical Center.
Read more…
Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling [Part Two]
The rapid growth of websites, applications, and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.
Read more...
Connect with the Make the Connection Movement
They spoke up. Will you? This Mental Health Awareness Month, connect with the movement of veterans discussing their mental health challenges and their journeys toward recovery. Support the powerful movement of veterans who are inspiring their peers to reach out. Visit our dedicated Mental Health Awareness Month page for simple actions you can take to have an impact.
Learn more...
The Hungry Heart Movie Trailer
The trailer for Bess O'Brien's new documentary, The Hungry Heart, which provides an intimate look at the often hidden world of prescription drug addiction through the world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease.
Watch the trailer…
Weekly CREATE Bulletin
There are many resources we offer to our grantees and potential grantees. Here’s an easy way to remember the many ways we can help you CREATE your best!
Call us! Call 720-248-2742 and we will be happy to walk you through the application process!
Resources! Click here to find the “resource button” that will take you to webinars, guidelines and more!
Examples of the required financial documents for your CREATE application!
Allowable course listing! Click here to see just some of the courses CREATE funds.
Tool used for scoring your CREATE application. Click here and use this scoring sheet as a guide for writing your CREATE application.
Email us with questions, concerns or attachments for your application! Send your messages to ml@coruralhealth.org.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
Call us! Call 720-248-2742 and we will be happy to walk you through the application process!
Resources! Click here to find the “resource button” that will take you to webinars, guidelines and more!
Examples of the required financial documents for your CREATE application!
Allowable course listing! Click here to see just some of the courses CREATE funds.
Tool used for scoring your CREATE application. Click here and use this scoring sheet as a guide for writing your CREATE application.
Email us with questions, concerns or attachments for your application! Send your messages to ml@coruralhealth.org.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
CMS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Managed Care for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees
CMS proposes rule to strengthen managed care for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees
Proposal will modernize and improve quality of care for Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to modernize Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care regulations to update the programs’ rules and strengthen the delivery of quality care for beneficiaries. This proposed rule is the first major update to Medicaid and CHIP managed care regulations in more than a decade. It would improve beneficiary communications and access, provide new program integrity tools, support state efforts to deliver higher quality care in a cost-effective way, and better align Medicaid and CHIP managed care rules and practices with other sources of health insurance coverage. Overall, this proposed rule supports the agency’s mission of better care, smarter spending, and healthier people.
“A lot has changed in terms of best practices and the delivery of important health services in the managed care field over the last decade. This proposal will better align regulations and best practices to other health insurance programs, including the private market and Medicare Advantage plans, to strengthen federal and state efforts at providing quality, coordinated care to millions of Americans with Medicaid or CHIP insurance coverage,” said Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of CMS.
Since CMS last issued managed care regulations in 2002 and 2003, the health care delivery landscape has changed and grown substantially. States have expanded managed care to several new populations including seniors and persons with disabilities. The growth of managed care in the Marketplace and Medicare Advantage further highlights the importance of policy alignment when appropriate across programs in order to ease the transition for consumers whose circumstances change during the year.
CMS proposes to modernize Medicaid managed care regulations in the following ways:
· Supporting states’ efforts to encourage delivery system reform initiatives within managed care programs that aim to improve health care outcomes and beneficiary experience while controlling costs; and
· Strengthening the quality of care provided to beneficiaries by strengthening transparency and measurement, establishing a quality rating system, and broadening state quality strategies and consumer and stakeholder engagement;
· Improving consumer experience in the areas of enrollment, communications, care coordination, and the availability and accessibility of covered services;
· Implementing best practices identified in existing managed long term services and supports programs;
· Aligning Medicaid managed care policies to a much greater extent with those of Medicare Advantage and the private market;
· Strengthening the fiscal and programmatic integrity of Medicaid managed care programs and rate setting;
· Aligning the CHIP managed care regulations with many of the proposed revisions to the Medicaid managed care rules strengthen quality and access in CHIP managed care programs.
The proposed rule is available at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-12965.pdf or https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection and can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/06/01/2015-12965/medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip-programs-medicaid-managed-care-chip-delivered
starting June 1. The deadline to submit comments is July 27, 2015.
For more information, visit http://medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-topics/delivery-systems/managed-care/managed-care-site.html.
CMS Fact Sheet: http://cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2015-Fact-sheets-items/2015-05-26.html
Proposal will modernize and improve quality of care for Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to modernize Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care regulations to update the programs’ rules and strengthen the delivery of quality care for beneficiaries. This proposed rule is the first major update to Medicaid and CHIP managed care regulations in more than a decade. It would improve beneficiary communications and access, provide new program integrity tools, support state efforts to deliver higher quality care in a cost-effective way, and better align Medicaid and CHIP managed care rules and practices with other sources of health insurance coverage. Overall, this proposed rule supports the agency’s mission of better care, smarter spending, and healthier people.
“A lot has changed in terms of best practices and the delivery of important health services in the managed care field over the last decade. This proposal will better align regulations and best practices to other health insurance programs, including the private market and Medicare Advantage plans, to strengthen federal and state efforts at providing quality, coordinated care to millions of Americans with Medicaid or CHIP insurance coverage,” said Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of CMS.
Since CMS last issued managed care regulations in 2002 and 2003, the health care delivery landscape has changed and grown substantially. States have expanded managed care to several new populations including seniors and persons with disabilities. The growth of managed care in the Marketplace and Medicare Advantage further highlights the importance of policy alignment when appropriate across programs in order to ease the transition for consumers whose circumstances change during the year.
CMS proposes to modernize Medicaid managed care regulations in the following ways:
· Supporting states’ efforts to encourage delivery system reform initiatives within managed care programs that aim to improve health care outcomes and beneficiary experience while controlling costs; and
· Strengthening the quality of care provided to beneficiaries by strengthening transparency and measurement, establishing a quality rating system, and broadening state quality strategies and consumer and stakeholder engagement;
· Improving consumer experience in the areas of enrollment, communications, care coordination, and the availability and accessibility of covered services;
· Implementing best practices identified in existing managed long term services and supports programs;
· Aligning Medicaid managed care policies to a much greater extent with those of Medicare Advantage and the private market;
· Strengthening the fiscal and programmatic integrity of Medicaid managed care programs and rate setting;
· Aligning the CHIP managed care regulations with many of the proposed revisions to the Medicaid managed care rules strengthen quality and access in CHIP managed care programs.
The proposed rule is available at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-12965.pdf or https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection and can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/06/01/2015-12965/medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip-programs-medicaid-managed-care-chip-delivered
starting June 1. The deadline to submit comments is July 27, 2015.
For more information, visit http://medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-topics/delivery-systems/managed-care/managed-care-site.html.
CMS Fact Sheet: http://cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2015-Fact-sheets-items/2015-05-26.html
ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X
ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Register Now
Thursday, June 18; 1:30-3pm ET
To Register: Visit MLN Connects® Upcoming Calls. Space may be limited, register early.
It’s not too late to get ready for ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. During this MLN Connects National Provider Call, CMS subject matter experts will present strategies and resources to help you prepare. Also, learn about ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies, which will be used by hospitals. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Agenda:
Target Audience: Medical coders, physicians, physician office staff, nurses and other non-physician practitioners, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers, laboratories, and all Medicare providers.
Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information web page to learn more.
New Video on PQRS and the Value-Based Payment Modifier
CMS has released the following MLN Connects® video: The Physician Quality Reporting System & the Value-based Payment Modifier: What Medicare Eligible Professionals Need to Know in 2015. This MLN Connects video presentation provides an overview of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and how your participation in 2015 will determine how the Value-Based Payment Modifier will be applied to your reimbursement in 2017. Run time: 45 minutes: 10 seconds.
For a list of videos on PQRS and the Value-based Payment Modifier, as well as videos on a variety of other Medicare topics, visit MLN Connects Videos. For more information, visit the PQRS and Medicare FFS Physician Feedback Program/Value-Based Payment Modifier web pages.
Thursday, June 18; 1:30-3pm ET
To Register: Visit MLN Connects® Upcoming Calls. Space may be limited, register early.
It’s not too late to get ready for ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. During this MLN Connects National Provider Call, CMS subject matter experts will present strategies and resources to help you prepare. Also, learn about ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies, which will be used by hospitals. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Agenda:
- National implementation update and preparation strategies
- ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies
- Testing update
- Provider resources
Target Audience: Medical coders, physicians, physician office staff, nurses and other non-physician practitioners, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers, laboratories, and all Medicare providers.
Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information web page to learn more.
New Video on PQRS and the Value-Based Payment Modifier
CMS has released the following MLN Connects® video: The Physician Quality Reporting System & the Value-based Payment Modifier: What Medicare Eligible Professionals Need to Know in 2015. This MLN Connects video presentation provides an overview of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and how your participation in 2015 will determine how the Value-Based Payment Modifier will be applied to your reimbursement in 2017. Run time: 45 minutes: 10 seconds.
For a list of videos on PQRS and the Value-based Payment Modifier, as well as videos on a variety of other Medicare topics, visit MLN Connects Videos. For more information, visit the PQRS and Medicare FFS Physician Feedback Program/Value-Based Payment Modifier web pages.
Webinar: Cultivating the Network of Care Learning Series Kick Off
Date: June 19, 2015
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join us on June 19th from 11AM-12 PM MT for our webinar kick-off of Healthy Transitions Colorado “Cultivating the Network of Care” webinar series and symposia. We’ll give an overview of the series, highlight two community care collaboratives happening in Colorado and preview the upcoming symposium on June 26th, “Building Transformation From the Inside Out.”
Click here for free registration
Click here to learn more about the Learning Series
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join us on June 19th from 11AM-12 PM MT for our webinar kick-off of Healthy Transitions Colorado “Cultivating the Network of Care” webinar series and symposia. We’ll give an overview of the series, highlight two community care collaboratives happening in Colorado and preview the upcoming symposium on June 26th, “Building Transformation From the Inside Out.”
Click here for free registration
Click here to learn more about the Learning Series
Rural Health Research and Policy Centers: Dental Care Utilization
Dentist Supply, Dental Care Utilization, and Oral Health Among Rural and Urban U.S. Residents
Do adults in rural locations report lower dental care utilization or higher prevalence of dental disease or both compared with their urban counterparts? This analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) shows that residents of non-metropolitan counties were significantly less likely than residents of metropolitan counties to report having a dental visit or teeth cleaning in the past year and significantly more likely to report undergoing tooth extraction. These findings persisted even when controlling for demographic factors, income, insurance and health and smoking status. Policies aimed at increasing the supply of generalist dentists who will choose to work in rural areas may reduce these substantial rural/urban disparities in access to oral health care and dental outcomes.
Do adults in rural locations report lower dental care utilization or higher prevalence of dental disease or both compared with their urban counterparts? This analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) shows that residents of non-metropolitan counties were significantly less likely than residents of metropolitan counties to report having a dental visit or teeth cleaning in the past year and significantly more likely to report undergoing tooth extraction. These findings persisted even when controlling for demographic factors, income, insurance and health and smoking status. Policies aimed at increasing the supply of generalist dentists who will choose to work in rural areas may reduce these substantial rural/urban disparities in access to oral health care and dental outcomes.
Slides from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy RHC TA Call
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has posted the slides, recording and transcript for the May 5th RHC TA call on ICD-10. Follow this link if you wish to access any of this information. This same webpage will also provide you with access to previous RHC TA call recordings, transcripts and slides.
FREE Self-Management Program for Older Adults with Chronic Disease in Colorado
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a six-week, peer-led, evidence-based workshop developed at Stanford University.
Through a grant held by the Colorado Department of Human Services, State Unit on Aging, this workshop is currently offered free of charge to Coloradans age 60 and older with a chronic health condition or age 18 and older with a disability.
CDSMP gives participants the tools they need to set achievable goals, reduce stress, eat healthier foods and increase their physical activity. The program also cuts health care costs, reducing hospitalizations and physician visits.
Workshops are offered in counties across the state. For a full schedule, go to selfmanagementcolorado.org.
Through a grant held by the Colorado Department of Human Services, State Unit on Aging, this workshop is currently offered free of charge to Coloradans age 60 and older with a chronic health condition or age 18 and older with a disability.
CDSMP gives participants the tools they need to set achievable goals, reduce stress, eat healthier foods and increase their physical activity. The program also cuts health care costs, reducing hospitalizations and physician visits.
Workshops are offered in counties across the state. For a full schedule, go to selfmanagementcolorado.org.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Weekly CREATE Bulletin
National EMS Week, May 17-23, 2015, is the perfect time to honor your local EMS professionals and promote awareness of their everyday service to the public. EMS is much more than a ride to the hospital. It is a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care, involving multiple people and agencies.
To learn more about National EMS Week visit http://www.emsstrong.org/.
As we take the opportunity to THANK our state’s EMS providers, we wanted to remind you about the CREATE program. CREATE assists private and public organizations in improving and expanding the emergency medical and trauma system in Colorado.
Specifically the program offers a 50% cash match to provide funding to EMTS agencies for education and training of emergency medical and trauma service providers working in Colorado.
In order to access the CREATE grant application, you must complete the 5 pre-application steps first. To learn more visit https://coruralhealth.org/create.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
To learn more about National EMS Week visit http://www.emsstrong.org/.
As we take the opportunity to THANK our state’s EMS providers, we wanted to remind you about the CREATE program. CREATE assists private and public organizations in improving and expanding the emergency medical and trauma system in Colorado.
Specifically the program offers a 50% cash match to provide funding to EMTS agencies for education and training of emergency medical and trauma service providers working in Colorado.
In order to access the CREATE grant application, you must complete the 5 pre-application steps first. To learn more visit https://coruralhealth.org/create.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
Webinar: Making the Business Case for Quality
Quality Leaders!
Ever tried making the case for quality with your CEO or other senior leaders?
Could you use some tips from a CEO about communicating issues and needs with the C-suite?
If so, this free webinar is for you!
“Making the Business Case for Quality”
Friday, May 22, 2015 11am to noon
Co-hosted by: Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) Healthcare Quality Coalition of Colorado (HQCC)
Speaker: Mr. Nicholas Tejeda, CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca in Manteca, California, will share his ideas about how a quality leader can get the attention and support of the CEO for quality and patient safety.
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7609303626944211202
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
Access: To access the audio portion of the webinar on the day of the event dial 1-855-294-3011 access code 744-0905-474
Please join us!
It s National Prevention Week
May 17-23, 2015 is National Prevention Week -- a SAMHSA-supported annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues. Get tools and learn how you can participate here.
PQRS/Value-Based Payment Modifier: What Medicare Professionals Need to Know in 2015
"PQRS/Value-Based Payment Modifier: What Medicare Professionals Need to Know in 2015" Video Presentation Posted to YouTube
A video recording of the "PQRS/Value-Based Provider Modifier: What Medicare Professionals Need to Know in 2015" presentation has been posted to the CMS MLN Connects® page on YouTube. This presentation is the same as the webinars that were delivered on March 31, 2015 and April 7, 2015. A link to the video can be found here:
https://youtu.be/Ww0oH-FhaYM
Please feel free to share this link with your partners. Thank you.
A video recording of the "PQRS/Value-Based Provider Modifier: What Medicare Professionals Need to Know in 2015" presentation has been posted to the CMS MLN Connects® page on YouTube. This presentation is the same as the webinars that were delivered on March 31, 2015 and April 7, 2015. A link to the video can be found here:
https://youtu.be/Ww0oH-FhaYM
Please feel free to share this link with your partners. Thank you.
Webinar: Realizing the Promise of Digital Health Technology for Complex Patients
The Commonwealth Fund
An upcoming webinar will consider the potential of using digital health technologies to care for vulnerable or complex patients. Speakers will survey the current health technology landscape, review challenges and opportunities, and discuss how to bring entrepreneurs, providers, investors, payers, and patients together to develop meaningful tools.
What: Realizing the Promise of Digital Health Technology for Complex Patients
When: Tuesday, May 26, 3–4 p.m., E.T.
Who:
An upcoming webinar will consider the potential of using digital health technologies to care for vulnerable or complex patients. Speakers will survey the current health technology landscape, review challenges and opportunities, and discuss how to bring entrepreneurs, providers, investors, payers, and patients together to develop meaningful tools.
What: Realizing the Promise of Digital Health Technology for Complex Patients
When: Tuesday, May 26, 3–4 p.m., E.T.
Who:
- Anne-Marie Audet, M.D., vice president, Delivery System Reform & Breakthrough Opportunities, The Commonwealth Fund (moderator)
- David Bates, M.D., chief innovation officer and senior vice president at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, chief of the division of general internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and medical director of clinical and quality analysis at Partners Healthcare
- Rachel Davis, senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies, whose research has focused on innovations that target complex, low-income patients.
- Andrey Ostrovsky, M.D., practicing physician and cofounder of Care at Hand, which helps non-clinical health workers better detect declines in aging patients
- Mike Oxford, director, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
June PNTC Workshops - Register While There is Still Space
Patient Navigator Training Collaborative
June Schedule AnnouncementLevel 2: Facilitation Skills
Interested in enhancing your group-level facilitation skills? Register for the Level 2 Facilitation Skills workshop taking place this June 29-30th.
- Enhance facilitation skills relevant to Patient Navigators delivering group-level intervention
- Focus on the development of new skills as well as the enhancement of existing skills
- Assess your own facilitation skills, understand your strengths and how to fortify those skills
Level 2: Advanced Care Coordination
Healthcare delivery can be very fragmented, which often results in poor health outcomes, patient dissatisfaction, and higher healthcare costs. Coordinated care contributes to patient-centered, high-quality care.
This Level 2 course prepares patient navigators to coordinate care for their clients consistent with Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) guidelines and requirements.
Healthcare delivery can be very fragmented, which often results in poor health outcomes, patient dissatisfaction, and higher healthcare costs. Coordinated care contributes to patient-centered, high-quality care.
This Level 2 course prepares patient navigators to coordinate care for their clients consistent with Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) guidelines and requirements.
At the end of the course you will be able to:
Here’s an opportunity to attend two great level 3 courses June 2-4th in Denver. Level 3 courses are designed for those who supervise, manage and are developing patient navigator programs. Take one or the two courses in conjunction!
Patient Navigator Supervisor: Leading and Administering a Patient Navigator Program
This course provides a basic understanding of the patient navigator (PN) intervention model, reviews challenges facing PN program managers and provides strategies for an effective PN program. We will review identifying evidenced-based clinical guidelines utilizing registries for identifying patients, developing standard work flows, PN training, key supervision needs and evaluation of PN services.
Using Evaluation
This two-day course is designed to meet the needs of Patient Navigator Supervisors who want to increase basic evaluation skills. Participants will learn to use evaluation to improve prevention interventions; define common evaluation terms; use logic models to describe interventions; develop and prioritize evaluation questions; identify steps to prepare for evaluation; and identify strategies for building evaluation capacity within their organization
To register, click on each course name or register for both here.
- Define care coordination
- Describe care coordination activities
- Describe which patient groups would most benefit from care coordination
- Demonstrate 9 Foundational Care Coordination Activities
- Demonstrate how to support patient self-management goals
- Create, communicate review and revise a plan of care
- Discuss ways to measure effects of care coordination
Here’s an opportunity to attend two great level 3 courses June 2-4th in Denver. Level 3 courses are designed for those who supervise, manage and are developing patient navigator programs. Take one or the two courses in conjunction!
Patient Navigator Supervisor: Leading and Administering a Patient Navigator Program
This course provides a basic understanding of the patient navigator (PN) intervention model, reviews challenges facing PN program managers and provides strategies for an effective PN program. We will review identifying evidenced-based clinical guidelines utilizing registries for identifying patients, developing standard work flows, PN training, key supervision needs and evaluation of PN services.
Using Evaluation
This two-day course is designed to meet the needs of Patient Navigator Supervisors who want to increase basic evaluation skills. Participants will learn to use evaluation to improve prevention interventions; define common evaluation terms; use logic models to describe interventions; develop and prioritize evaluation questions; identify steps to prepare for evaluation; and identify strategies for building evaluation capacity within their organization
To register, click on each course name or register for both here.
Advanced Motivational Interviewing
If you haven’t had a chance to attend the Advanced (Level 2) Motivational Interviewing course, take advantage of the opportunity to attend one in Denver on June 16th.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center will be holding a free conference for health care professionals, navigators, public health practitioners and community agencies who are interested in developing and implementing cancer survivorship programs throughout Colorado.
Date: June 25th (afternoon) and June 26th (all day) –1.5 days
Space is limited and travel scholarships available to those living outside of metro Denver.
RSVP: Edie Bridge @ edie.bridge@ucdenver.edu
This conference is partially supported with resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
If you haven’t had a chance to attend the Advanced (Level 2) Motivational Interviewing course, take advantage of the opportunity to attend one in Denver on June 16th.
- Building off of the skills you learned in the introductory class, you will:
- Expand your use of questions and reflections to deepen change talk
- Learn to reduce client resistance
The University of Colorado Cancer Center will be holding a free conference for health care professionals, navigators, public health practitioners and community agencies who are interested in developing and implementing cancer survivorship programs throughout Colorado.
Date: June 25th (afternoon) and June 26th (all day) –1.5 days
Space is limited and travel scholarships available to those living outside of metro Denver.
RSVP: Edie Bridge @ edie.bridge@ucdenver.edu
This conference is partially supported with resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Explore the Reimagined HHS.gov Website
Rethought. Restructured. Reimagined. Welcome to the new HHS.gov. Research tells us we have seven seconds to grab your attention. People are busy; want information fast. So, check out this quick intro to the new HHS.gov.
Reimagined for your mobile device or computer
The reimagined HHS.gov is a mobile-first, responsive website designed to help you find info fast. Our site responds automatically to your screen size. Content is available anytime, anywhere, on any device. Top content is at the top of the page. The tile navigation is clear, intuitive, with fewer dead ends.
A larger search box invites you to a powerful smart search, with predictive fill and key matches to ensure your best options come to the top. There’s even a “fact box” on the search results page to serve you the “bite” of core information without even having to click. We understand you need info now.
Reimagined to streamline your experience
We cleaned out the attic, tossing a whopping 154,000 obsolete files, so search is faster and we don’t waste your time wading through outdated content. We’re organizing content by topic so you won’t have to know, for example, that to find HIPAA information, you need to go to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) webpage.
We’ve increased opportunities for engagement, content sharing, syndication, and much, much more.
Reimagined from your perspective
The re-imagining of HHS.gov was guided by surveys, web analytics, workshops, market research, and usability testing with the public. We learned from digital leaders; WIRED magazine, for instance, which undertook a similar project, and NPR, which pioneered content re-purposing.
The re-imagining of HHS.gov was guided by surveys, web analytics, workshops, market research, and usability testing with the public. We learned from digital leaders; WIRED magazine, for instance, which undertook a similar project, and NPR, which pioneered content re-purposing.
Reimagined for the future
This is just Phase 1 of a work in progress. We will launch three more phases in 2015, including the OCR/HIPAA redesign this winter. And we’d like your help; let us know what you think about the new HHS.gov by taking our website feedback survey.
To borrow from Scott Dadich, editor-in-chief of WIRED: “We didn’t design the site to be perfect. We designed it to be perfected.”
This is just Phase 1 of a work in progress. We will launch three more phases in 2015, including the OCR/HIPAA redesign this winter. And we’d like your help; let us know what you think about the new HHS.gov by taking our website feedback survey.
To borrow from Scott Dadich, editor-in-chief of WIRED: “We didn’t design the site to be perfect. We designed it to be perfected.”
Final Chance to Register for the Chronic Disease Prevention Conference
Evidence-based Solutions for Prediabetes and Hypertension: Shifting the Practice Paradigm
DATE: Friday, June 12, 2015
TIME: 8 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION: The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center,
200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, CO 80112
DATE: Friday, June 12, 2015
TIME: 8 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION: The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center,
200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, CO 80112
COST: Free
Event registration closes May 30. Don't miss out on this learning event!
Event registration closes May 30. Don't miss out on this learning event!
Medicare Part B News - Jurisdiction H for May 19th, 2015
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
2015 Changes to Home Health Documentation Requirements
Do you certify the need for home health care for any of your patients? Did you know there has been a change to documentation requirements? If this applies to you, we encourage you to read this article carefully on the changes affecting documentation for dates of service January 1, 2015 and after as the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Review Contractor continues to show an increase in denials related to documentation of Home Health Face-to-Face visits.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
Revised:
MM9114 - Updates on Hospice Election Form, Revocation, and Attending Physician
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
2015 Changes to Home Health Documentation Requirements
Do you certify the need for home health care for any of your patients? Did you know there has been a change to documentation requirements? If this applies to you, we encourage you to read this article carefully on the changes affecting documentation for dates of service January 1, 2015 and after as the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Review Contractor continues to show an increase in denials related to documentation of Home Health Face-to-Face visits.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
Revised:
MM9114 - Updates on Hospice Election Form, Revocation, and Attending Physician
Medicare Part A News - Jurisdiction H for May 19th, 2015
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Update to the Part A Open Issues Log:
The correction for claims for BPCI Model 1 and Model 4 editing with reason codes E0019 and/or E460S is tentatively scheduled for October 5, 2015.
The correction for pricing issues related to HCPCS 77063 is tentatively scheduled for October 5, 2015.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
Revised:
MM9114 - Updates on Hospice Election Form, Revocation, and Attending Physician
New:
MM9106 - Payments to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) That Do Not Submit Required Quality Data
CERT Identification Online Tool Updated
The CERT Identification Online Tool has been updated with the most recent claim sampling. You can find this tool on the CERT Center under "Interactive Tools". Simply enter the CID number and click the "search CID" button to obtain a status of your CERT sampled claim. Providers can find the CID number assigned to the claim under review on the letter from the CERT Documentation Contractor.
This tool provides information for sampled claims where a decision has been made by the CERT contractor. Once you enter the CID number (numbers only) and click the "search CID" button, the following data will be displayed:
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Update to the Part A Open Issues Log:
The correction for claims for BPCI Model 1 and Model 4 editing with reason codes E0019 and/or E460S is tentatively scheduled for October 5, 2015.
The correction for pricing issues related to HCPCS 77063 is tentatively scheduled for October 5, 2015.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
Revised:
MM9114 - Updates on Hospice Election Form, Revocation, and Attending Physician
New:
MM9106 - Payments to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) That Do Not Submit Required Quality Data
CERT Identification Online Tool Updated
The CERT Identification Online Tool has been updated with the most recent claim sampling. You can find this tool on the CERT Center under "Interactive Tools". Simply enter the CID number and click the "search CID" button to obtain a status of your CERT sampled claim. Providers can find the CID number assigned to the claim under review on the letter from the CERT Documentation Contractor.
This tool provides information for sampled claims where a decision has been made by the CERT contractor. Once you enter the CID number (numbers only) and click the "search CID" button, the following data will be displayed:
- Claim in Error: - Identifies whether a CERT error was assessed or not
- Status Date: - Identifies the last date that CERT updated/reviewed the case
- Status Decision: Identifies where the claim is with the CERT Review Contractor
- Appealed: Identifies if an appeal was initiated and what the status of the Appeal is
- Error Code: Identifies if an error was assessed, that error code will be listed here
Medicare Part A and B News - Jurisdiction H for May 14th, 2015
CMS Provider Education Message:
MLN Connects® Provider eNews for May 14, 2015
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
MLN Connects® National Provider Calls
MLN Connects® Videos
Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products
The following JH Draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) are posted for comment. The comment period ends on July 9, 2015. Please note that the Draft LCDs will not become effective until after ICD-10 is implemented. Therefore, all Draft LCDs are in ICD-10 format.
The following JH Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) have been revised:
The following JH Local Coverage Provider Bulletin has been retired effective May 6, 2015. For dates of service on and after May 7, 2015, please reference Article A54099, Compounded Drugs Used in an Implantable Infusion Pump.
Registration Available for May 28, 2015 Open Meeting and Draft LCDs Now Posted
Registration for the May 28, 2015 Open Meeting is now available. Registration will be closed at the end of business day on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Novitas Solutions’ draft LCDs are also now posted.
Please note that the Novitas Solutions Open Meeting is a combined meeting for both Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdiction H (JH) and MAC Jurisdiction L (JL) contract areas.
MLN Connects® Provider eNews for May 14, 2015
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
MLN Connects® National Provider Calls
- 2014 Mid-Year QRURs — Register Now
- Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO: Application Review — Registration Now Open
- National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI — Register Now
- Hospice Quality and Hospice Item Set Manual V1.02 — Save the Date
- ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Register Now
MLN Connects® Videos
- New ICD-10 Videos: Impact on Inpatient Hospital Payment and Medicare Testing Plans
- Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July — Forms Accepted May 11 through 22
- Participate in Final ICD-10 Acknowledgement Testing Week: June 1 through 5
- Special Open Door Forum: Home Health Electronic and Paper Clinical Templates
- Depression is Not a Normal Part of Growing Older
- Therapy Caps Exceptions Process Extended through CY 2017
- Questions about Medicare?
- Notices of Intent to Apply for Medicare Shared Savings Program January 1, 2016, Start Date Due by May 29
- Groups: 6 Weeks Left to Register for 2015 PQRS GPRO
Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products
- “Overview of the Repetitive Scheduled Non-emergent Ambulance Prior Authorization Model” MLN Matters® Article — Released
- “Items and Services That Are Not Covered Under the Medicare Program” Booklet — Revised
- Medicare Learning Network® Product Available In Electronic Publication Format
The following JH Draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) are posted for comment. The comment period ends on July 9, 2015. Please note that the Draft LCDs will not become effective until after ICD-10 is implemented. Therefore, all Draft LCDs are in ICD-10 format.
- Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine (DL35083)
- Controlled Substance Monitoring and Drugs of Abuse Testing (DL35006)
- Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery (DL35090)
- Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy (DL35021)
- In Vitro Chemosensitivity & Chemoresistance Assays (DL36055)
- Loss of Heterozygosity Based Topographic Genotyping with PathfinderTG® (DL34864)
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery (DL34961)
- Psychiatric Codes (DL35101)
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) (DL35016)
The following JH Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) have been revised:
- Hemophilia Factor Products (L33658)
- Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy (L32739)
- Treatment of Varicose Veins and Venous Stasis Disease of the Lower Extremities (L32678)
The following JH Local Coverage Provider Bulletin has been retired effective May 6, 2015. For dates of service on and after May 7, 2015, please reference Article A54099, Compounded Drugs Used in an Implantable Infusion Pump.
- Part B Compounded Drugs Used in an Implantable Infusion Pump-Provider Bulletin (A52751)
Registration Available for May 28, 2015 Open Meeting and Draft LCDs Now Posted
Registration for the May 28, 2015 Open Meeting is now available. Registration will be closed at the end of business day on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Novitas Solutions’ draft LCDs are also now posted.
Please note that the Novitas Solutions Open Meeting is a combined meeting for both Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdiction H (JH) and MAC Jurisdiction L (JL) contract areas.
Open Meetings are for the purpose of discussing draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). Anyone is welcome to present information related to the policies that are in the 45-day draft comment period. Interested participants may request to present scientific, evidence-based information; professional consensus opinions; or any other information that is relevant to any of the LCDs that are in draft. These in-person presentations are made to the Novitas Solutions’ Contractor Medical Directors. Interested parties may also request to attend as an observer.
NOTE: The Open Meeting is not a forum for discussing specific claims; or for the submission of new drugs, indications, or marketing of forthcoming drugs or medical devices. Information regarding new drugs, indications, or marketing information should be submitted according to Novitas guidelines. Specific claim questions, including billing, pricing and coding, should be directed to our Customer Service Center at 1-855-252-8782.
NOTE: The Open Meeting is not a forum for discussing specific claims; or for the submission of new drugs, indications, or marketing of forthcoming drugs or medical devices. Information regarding new drugs, indications, or marketing information should be submitted according to Novitas guidelines. Specific claim questions, including billing, pricing and coding, should be directed to our Customer Service Center at 1-855-252-8782.
OSHA Respiratory Protection Toolkit
OSHA releases respirator toolkit for hospital workers
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a Hospital Respiratory Protection Toolkit, a resource for healthcare employers to use to protect hospital staff from respiratory hazards, according to a press release from OSHA.
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a Hospital Respiratory Protection Toolkit, a resource for healthcare employers to use to protect hospital staff from respiratory hazards, according to a press release from OSHA.
AgriSafe Webinar: Prevention of Heat Related Illnesses in Agriculture
Prevention of Heat Related Illnesses in Agriculture
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Summary:
This presentation addresses the rural clinicians and health educator role in prevention of heat stress among agricultural producers.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
This presentation addresses the rural clinicians and health educator role in prevention of heat stress among agricultural producers.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Explain the pathophysiology of heat related illnesses and differentiate between heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
- Identify a minimum of three action steps to prevent heat related illnesses, including the potential of physiologic monitoring.
- List at least four health conditions, including contraindicated medications that present serious issues when working in extreme heat.
- Select approved personal protective options considered appropriate for use in conditions of extreme heat.
Caring for Colorado Funding Opportunity
Caring for Colorado Foundation is currently accepting proposals from communities that are interested in establishing telehealth connected oral health teams. The SMILES Dental Home (Spanning Miles In Linking Everyone to Services) is a community-based initiative of Caring for Colorado Foundation designed to expand access to oral health care for Colorado’s most vulnerable populations.
SMILES Dental Home will develop a sustainable care delivery system through the deployment of Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) into community settings (community centers, schools, Head Start programs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, places of worship, etc.) where they will provide routine, preventive dental services. The RDHs communicate with a dentist via telehealth technology for patient assessments, treatment planning and to facilitate treatment for patients identified with more complex dental health needs
If selected, communities will receive funding to support a community needs assessment, participate in a learning community and develop an implementation plan. Caring for Colorado will fund four to six planning grants for communities across Colorado to be a part of a nine-month learning community. Proposals are due July 1, 2015. Communities successfully completing the planning phase of the project will be eligible to apply for three-year implementation grants.
If you have additional questions, contact Colleen Lampron, SMILES Dental Home Project Director.
SMILES Dental Home will develop a sustainable care delivery system through the deployment of Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) into community settings (community centers, schools, Head Start programs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, places of worship, etc.) where they will provide routine, preventive dental services. The RDHs communicate with a dentist via telehealth technology for patient assessments, treatment planning and to facilitate treatment for patients identified with more complex dental health needs
If selected, communities will receive funding to support a community needs assessment, participate in a learning community and develop an implementation plan. Caring for Colorado will fund four to six planning grants for communities across Colorado to be a part of a nine-month learning community. Proposals are due July 1, 2015. Communities successfully completing the planning phase of the project will be eligible to apply for three-year implementation grants.
- Learn more about SMILES Dental Home and register for an informational webinar.
- Read the complete Request for Proposals.
- Follow SMILES Dental Home’s progress by visiting this blog.
- Click here to view the application instructions and link to the online application on the Caring for Colorado website.
If you have additional questions, contact Colleen Lampron, SMILES Dental Home Project Director.
Beyond Implementation: Capturing the Value of Care Coordination
Beyond Implementation: Capturing the Value of Care Coordination
May 28th, 2015- 11:00am
This webinar will describe the value of measuring and evaluating care coordination activities within the context of improved patient experience, improved health of populations, and decreased cost of health care. Faculty will share information about tools and strategies to facilitate the measurement of pediatric care coordination activities and provide examples of how practices are utilizing care coordination performance metrics and methodologies to capture value for patients and families.
Additional Information about "Beyond Implementation: Capturing the Value of Care Coordination."
Space is Limited: Register Today
Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care: Lessons from Colorado
Colorado is placing a big bet on the expected benefits of integrating primary care and behavioral health care.
Integration is a focus of Colorado’s $65 million State Innovation Model (SIM) award. And many practices across the state are already innovating around integration.
The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) studied six practices that are testing an array of approaches to integration, tailoring models to their locations, their client populations, their workplace cultures and their available resources, among other considerations.
CHI released its report today, "New Models for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care: Lessons from Six Colorado Health Care Providers."
Based on the research, CHI identified five critical success factors:
Each practice demonstrates how communities are developing local health care solutions to meet local needs. And each has lessons for Colorado’s policymakers, health care leaders and practices just beginning the integration journey.
Read a blog by the paper's author, Senior Analyst and Communications Specialist Anna Vigran.
In addition to the new report, CHI has also created a new behavioral health data workbook that breaks data down by the state's 21 Health Statistics Regions.
Integration is a focus of Colorado’s $65 million State Innovation Model (SIM) award. And many practices across the state are already innovating around integration.
The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) studied six practices that are testing an array of approaches to integration, tailoring models to their locations, their client populations, their workplace cultures and their available resources, among other considerations.
CHI released its report today, "New Models for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care: Lessons from Six Colorado Health Care Providers."
Based on the research, CHI identified five critical success factors:
- Align the level of integration with patient needs and practice capacity.
- Innovate and adapt both the workforce and the workplace.
- Create new funding models that support integration.
- Recognize that patient numbers impact integration potential.
- Lead creatively and learn constantly.
Each practice demonstrates how communities are developing local health care solutions to meet local needs. And each has lessons for Colorado’s policymakers, health care leaders and practices just beginning the integration journey.
Read a blog by the paper's author, Senior Analyst and Communications Specialist Anna Vigran.
In addition to the new report, CHI has also created a new behavioral health data workbook that breaks data down by the state's 21 Health Statistics Regions.
ACA Implementation News--May 14, 2015
The latest issue of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s ACA Implementation News is now available online here. Please feel free to forward this along to your colleagues that may find the content of interest.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
It s Nurses Appreciation Week!
It’s Nurses Appreciation Week!
If you haven’t already this week, we encourage you to thank a nurse for his or her service and dedication. Did you know that nurses can benefit from CREATE? Organizations may apply for courses to ensure their nurses are trained in emergency and trauma care. For example, allowable courses include:
· Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing (CATN)
· Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
· Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC)
For more information, click here for our Standard Course List.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
If you haven’t already this week, we encourage you to thank a nurse for his or her service and dedication. Did you know that nurses can benefit from CREATE? Organizations may apply for courses to ensure their nurses are trained in emergency and trauma care. For example, allowable courses include:
· Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing (CATN)
· Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
· Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC)
For more information, click here for our Standard Course List.
Thank you for all you do for all our Colorado communities! We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
If you have any questions about the CREATE Grant process, please contact Megan Lyda at ml@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
MLN Connects Provider eNews for May 8th, 2015
CMS Provider Education Message:
MLN Connects® Provider eNews for May 7, 2015
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
MLN Connects™ National Provider Calls
• Medicare Acute Care Quality and Reporting Programs for Hospitals — Last Chance to Register
• 2014 Mid-Year QRURs — Registration Now Open
• National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI — Registration Now Open
• ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Registration Now Open
• New MLN Connects® National Provider Call Audio Recording and Transcript
Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products
• “The Medicare Home Health Benefit” Web-Based Training Course — Released
MLN Connects® Provider eNews for May 7, 2015
View this edition as a PDF
In This Edition:
MLN Connects™ National Provider Calls
• Medicare Acute Care Quality and Reporting Programs for Hospitals — Last Chance to Register
• 2014 Mid-Year QRURs — Registration Now Open
• National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI — Registration Now Open
• ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Registration Now Open
• New MLN Connects® National Provider Call Audio Recording and Transcript
CMS Events
• Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July — Forms Accepted May 11 through 22
• Participate in Final ICD-10 Acknowledgement Testing Week: June 1 through 5
• Webinar for Comparative Billing Report on Transthoracic Echocardiography
• Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July — Forms Accepted May 11 through 22
• Participate in Final ICD-10 Acknowledgement Testing Week: June 1 through 5
• Webinar for Comparative Billing Report on Transthoracic Echocardiography
Announcements
• Proposed Updates to Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rates
• May is National Osteoporosis Month
• Medicare Coverage for Viral Hepatitis
• New CDC Measles Information and Resources
• HHS Announces $101 Million in Affordable Care Act Funding to 164 New Community Health Centers
• Amendment to Disproportionate Share Hospital Ruling
• Inpatient Hospital Probe and Educate Extension
• Quality Reporting Programs: Updated 2014 eCQMs for 2016 Reporting
• CMS Announces the Physician Quality Reporting Programs Strategic Vision
• ICD-10 Resources for Medicare Providers
• Five More Facts about ICD-10
• Medscape Article for CME Credit: Improving Quality of Care through Care Coordination
• EHR Proposed Rules Available for Comment: Stage 3 Comments Due by May 29
• FY 2016 Inpatient and LTCH PPS Proposed Rule: Comment Period Ends June 16
• CMS is Accepting Suggestions for Potential PQRS Measures
• Proposed Updates to Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rates
• May is National Osteoporosis Month
• Medicare Coverage for Viral Hepatitis
• New CDC Measles Information and Resources
• HHS Announces $101 Million in Affordable Care Act Funding to 164 New Community Health Centers
• Amendment to Disproportionate Share Hospital Ruling
• Inpatient Hospital Probe and Educate Extension
• Quality Reporting Programs: Updated 2014 eCQMs for 2016 Reporting
• CMS Announces the Physician Quality Reporting Programs Strategic Vision
• ICD-10 Resources for Medicare Providers
• Five More Facts about ICD-10
• Medscape Article for CME Credit: Improving Quality of Care through Care Coordination
• EHR Proposed Rules Available for Comment: Stage 3 Comments Due by May 29
• FY 2016 Inpatient and LTCH PPS Proposed Rule: Comment Period Ends June 16
• CMS is Accepting Suggestions for Potential PQRS Measures
Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products
• “The Medicare Home Health Benefit” Web-Based Training Course — Released
• “Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries” Fact Sheet — Revised
• “Medicare Part B Immunization Billing” Educational Tool — Reminder
• Medicare Learning Network® Products Available In Electronic Publication Format
• “Medicare Part B Immunization Billing” Educational Tool — Reminder
• Medicare Learning Network® Products Available In Electronic Publication Format
Medicare Insights Podcast- ICD Impementation
New Medicare Insights Podcast now available!
In this Medicare Insights Podcast, we review the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) implementation.
ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Registration Now Open
ICD-10: Preparing for Implementation and New ICD-10-PCS Section X — Registration Now Open
Thursday, June 18; 1:30-3pm ET
To Register: Visit MLN Connects® Upcoming Calls. Space may be limited, register early.
It’s not too late to get ready for ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. During this MLN Connects National Provider Call, CMS subject matter experts will present strategies and resources to help you prepare. Also, learn about ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies, which will be used by hospitals. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Agenda:
Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information web page to learn more.
Thursday, June 18; 1:30-3pm ET
To Register: Visit MLN Connects® Upcoming Calls. Space may be limited, register early.
It’s not too late to get ready for ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. During this MLN Connects National Provider Call, CMS subject matter experts will present strategies and resources to help you prepare. Also, learn about ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies, which will be used by hospitals. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Agenda:
- National implementation update and preparation strategies
- ICD-10-PCS Section X for new technologies
- Testing update
- Provider resources
Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information web page to learn more.
Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July
CMS Provider Education Message:
Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July —
Forms Accepted May 11 through 22
Deadline extended
During the week of July 20 through 24, 2015, a final sample group of providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. CMS is accepting additional July volunteers from May 11 through 22, 2015. Don’t miss your chance to participate in end-to-end testing with Medicare prior to the October 1, 2015, implementation date.
Approximately 850 volunteer submitters will be selected to participate in the July end-to-end testing. This nationwide sample will yield meaningful results, since CMS intends to select volunteers representing a broad cross-section of provider, claim, and submitter types, including claims clearinghouses that submit claims for large numbers of providers. Note: Testers who are participating in the January and April end-to-end testing weeks are able to test again in July without re-applying.
To volunteer as a testing submitter:
If selected, testers must be able to:
For more information:
MLN Matters® Article #MM8867, “ICD-10 Limited End-to-End Testing with Submitters for 2015”
MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1435, “FAQs – ICD-10 End-to-End Testing”
MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1409, “Medicare FFS ICD-10 Testing Approach”
Final Opportunity to Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July —
Forms Accepted May 11 through 22
Deadline extended
During the week of July 20 through 24, 2015, a final sample group of providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. CMS is accepting additional July volunteers from May 11 through 22, 2015. Don’t miss your chance to participate in end-to-end testing with Medicare prior to the October 1, 2015, implementation date.
Approximately 850 volunteer submitters will be selected to participate in the July end-to-end testing. This nationwide sample will yield meaningful results, since CMS intends to select volunteers representing a broad cross-section of provider, claim, and submitter types, including claims clearinghouses that submit claims for large numbers of providers. Note: Testers who are participating in the January and April end-to-end testing weeks are able to test again in July without re-applying.
To volunteer as a testing submitter:
- Volunteer forms are available on your MAC website
- Completed volunteer forms are due May 22
- CMS will review applications and select additional July testers
- The MACs and CEDI will notify the volunteers selected to test and provide them with the information needed for the testing by June 12
If selected, testers must be able to:
- Submit future-dated claims.
- Provide valid National Provider Identifiers (NPIs), Provider Transaction Access Numbers (PTANs), and beneficiary Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) that will be used for test claims. This information will be needed by your MAC for set-up purposes by the deadline on your acceptance notice; testers will be dropped if information is not provided by the deadline.
For more information:
MLN Matters® Article #MM8867, “ICD-10 Limited End-to-End Testing with Submitters for 2015”
MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1435, “FAQs – ICD-10 End-to-End Testing”
MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1409, “Medicare FFS ICD-10 Testing Approach”
Save the Date: Cancer Survivorship Program Workshop
Cancer Survivorship Program Workshop
Date: June 25 Afternoon and June 26 All Day (1.5 days)
Location: Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building
13055 E. 17th Ave, Room 103, Aurora, CO 80045
Intended Audience: Health Care Professionals, Navigators, Public Health Practitioners, and Community Agencies who are interested in developing and implementing cancer survivorship programs throughout Colorado
Cost: Free
Maximum attendance: 25 people
Scholarships Available: 15 travel scholarships available for those living outside Metro Denver – first come first served
RSVP: to Edie Bridge @ edie.bridge@ucdenver.edu
When you RSVP please include your name, email, phone and include city if you are requesting a travel scholarship.
Full Agenda Forthcoming
Partially Supported With Resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Date: June 25 Afternoon and June 26 All Day (1.5 days)
Location: Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building
13055 E. 17th Ave, Room 103, Aurora, CO 80045
Intended Audience: Health Care Professionals, Navigators, Public Health Practitioners, and Community Agencies who are interested in developing and implementing cancer survivorship programs throughout Colorado
Cost: Free
Maximum attendance: 25 people
Scholarships Available: 15 travel scholarships available for those living outside Metro Denver – first come first served
RSVP: to Edie Bridge @ edie.bridge@ucdenver.edu
When you RSVP please include your name, email, phone and include city if you are requesting a travel scholarship.
Full Agenda Forthcoming
Partially Supported With Resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Inspiring a Community: Pueblo Triple Aim
Inspiring a Community: Pueblo Triple Aim
Webinar: Wednesday, May 20 12:00pm-1:00pm MT
Hosted by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care
Click Here for Free Registration
Ever-rising healthcare spending has weakened Pueblo County's economy, threatens jobs, and has failed to deliver improved health. This threatens Pueblo County's future by diverting resources from investment in education and growth.
Starting in late 2010, a group of Pueblo County leaders came together to look at how to improve the health of Pueblo County citizens while reducing ever rising costs of health care. The Pueblo Triple Aim Coalition (PTAC) was developed as a result of these meetings. Matt Guy, Managing Director for the Pueblo Triple Aim Corporation (one part of the PTAC structure) will discuss PTAC's development, structure, successes, and challenges in working to achieve the Triple Aim at a community level.
Presented by:
Matt Guy, Managing Director for the Pueblo Triple Aim Corporation
Matt Guy is responsible for overseeing all PTAC organizational operations, including reaching PTAC's goal to make Pueblo County the healthiest county in Colorado. Matt recently served as the Executive Director of the Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SECAHEC). SECAHEC serves 16 counties in southeastern Colorado providing health education resources and support for current and future medical professionals. Matt has also worked for the Colorado Rural Health Center and consulted with numerous local, state, and national organizations on community health and quality improvement programs.
Click Here for Free Registration
Webinar: Wednesday, May 20 12:00pm-1:00pm MT
Hosted by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care
Click Here for Free Registration
Ever-rising healthcare spending has weakened Pueblo County's economy, threatens jobs, and has failed to deliver improved health. This threatens Pueblo County's future by diverting resources from investment in education and growth.
Starting in late 2010, a group of Pueblo County leaders came together to look at how to improve the health of Pueblo County citizens while reducing ever rising costs of health care. The Pueblo Triple Aim Coalition (PTAC) was developed as a result of these meetings. Matt Guy, Managing Director for the Pueblo Triple Aim Corporation (one part of the PTAC structure) will discuss PTAC's development, structure, successes, and challenges in working to achieve the Triple Aim at a community level.
Presented by:
Matt Guy, Managing Director for the Pueblo Triple Aim Corporation
Matt Guy is responsible for overseeing all PTAC organizational operations, including reaching PTAC's goal to make Pueblo County the healthiest county in Colorado. Matt recently served as the Executive Director of the Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SECAHEC). SECAHEC serves 16 counties in southeastern Colorado providing health education resources and support for current and future medical professionals. Matt has also worked for the Colorado Rural Health Center and consulted with numerous local, state, and national organizations on community health and quality improvement programs.
Click Here for Free Registration
Characteristics of Rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) - A Survey of Medicare ACOs with Rural Presence
Characteristics of Rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) - A Survey of Medicare ACOs with Rural Presence
In this policy brief, we present the findings of a survey of 27 rural ACOs focusing on characteristics important to their formation and operation. We find that a majority of responding ACOs were formed from pre-existing integrated delivery systems and had physician and hospital participants with prior risk-sharing and quality-based payment experience. In addition, physician groups played a leading role in the formation and management of the ACOs.
Contact Information:
Keith J. Mueller, PhD
RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Phone: 319.384.3832
keith-mueller@uiowa.edu
Additional Resources of Interest:
In this policy brief, we present the findings of a survey of 27 rural ACOs focusing on characteristics important to their formation and operation. We find that a majority of responding ACOs were formed from pre-existing integrated delivery systems and had physician and hospital participants with prior risk-sharing and quality-based payment experience. In addition, physician groups played a leading role in the formation and management of the ACOs.
Contact Information:
Keith J. Mueller, PhD
RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Phone: 319.384.3832
keith-mueller@uiowa.edu
Additional Resources of Interest:
- More information about the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
- More information from the Rural Assistance Center, Rural Health Reform, Rural Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) topic guide
Webinar on Using Data to Drive Better Health Care for High-Need Patients
Join a Webinar on Using Data to Drive Better Health Care for High-Need Patients
In a process known as “hotspotting,” the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers works in the high-risk community of Camden, N.J., to identify, better understand, and locate the biggest users of emergency department and inpatient hospital care. Armed with crucial data, experts can then launch interventions to improve quality of care and reduce costs.
A one-hour webinar on Thursday, May 21, at 1 p.m., E.T., will look at resources the Camden Coalition is developing to help other communities identify and care for their high-need, high-cost residents. Among these is a toolkit that provides practical guidance on locating and segmenting the high-use population, and building data-driven interventions. The webinar will also provide insights from clinicians at health systems using the hotspotting approach.
What: Join a Webinar on Using Data to Drive Better Health Care for High-Need Patients
When: Thursday, May 21, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., E.T.
Who:
Please tweet this event with #HotspottingTools
In a process known as “hotspotting,” the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers works in the high-risk community of Camden, N.J., to identify, better understand, and locate the biggest users of emergency department and inpatient hospital care. Armed with crucial data, experts can then launch interventions to improve quality of care and reduce costs.A one-hour webinar on Thursday, May 21, at 1 p.m., E.T., will look at resources the Camden Coalition is developing to help other communities identify and care for their high-need, high-cost residents. Among these is a toolkit that provides practical guidance on locating and segmenting the high-use population, and building data-driven interventions. The webinar will also provide insights from clinicians at health systems using the hotspotting approach.
What: Join a Webinar on Using Data to Drive Better Health Care for High-Need Patients
When: Thursday, May 21, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., E.T.
Who:
- Melinda Abrams, The Commonwealth Fund (moderator)
- Aaron Truchil and Stephen Singer, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers
- James Schuster, M.D., Health Insurance Division, UPMC
- Alice Pressman, Ph.D., Sutter Health of Northern California
Please tweet this event with #HotspottingTools
Webinar: Technology & Transitions of Care
Technology & Transitions of Care
Wednesday, June 10th, 2015 11:00am - Arizona Time
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize the Social Determinants of Health are as equally important as medical conditions in hospital readmissions
2. Discover that improved work flow is as impactful as predictive analytic tools in managing transitions of care.
3. Understand the significance of both high Tech and high touch in transitions of care.
To learn more and for registration instructions, click here.
Wednesday, June 10th, 2015 11:00am - Arizona Time
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize the Social Determinants of Health are as equally important as medical conditions in hospital readmissions
2. Discover that improved work flow is as impactful as predictive analytic tools in managing transitions of care.
3. Understand the significance of both high Tech and high touch in transitions of care.
To learn more and for registration instructions, click here.
AgriSafe Webinar: Integration of Behavioral Health within Agricultural Health Care
AgriSafe Network Invites You to Attend a Free Webinar:
Integration of Behavioral Health within Agricultural Health Care
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Intended Audience: Rural health & safety professionals
Objectives:
Integration of Behavioral Health within Agricultural Health Care
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Intended Audience: Rural health & safety professionals
Objectives:
- At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify a minimum of three common stressors prevalent among agricultural producers.
- Describe at least four signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Describe population-based and Individual- based behavioral health interventions.
- Locate professionals and current resources in the field of agricultural behavioral health
Medicare Part A News-Jurisdiction H for May 13th, 2015
The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
New:
Updates to the Part A Issues Log
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
New:
- MM9153 - Section 504: Implement National Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) in Alternate Formats
- MM9167 - Quarterly Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Drug/Biological Code Changes - July 2015 Update
Updates to the Part A Issues Log
- The correction for the BPCI claims, held in SMQ152, for reason code U5244, has been moved to the October 2015 release.
- Update to the claims where the costs for organ acquisition were incorrectly being sent to the inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) Pricer for claims with kidney transplant services (Revenue Code 081x). The correction was installed successfully and claims have been identified with the 081x revenue code. The claims will be adjusted by Novitas. Remarks will be included on the adjustment claim indicating this adjustment is being performed to correct the kidney acquisition charges out of the pricer.
- Claims billed with HCPCS G0279 are now receiving reason code 32403 and are being held in location SM7559. A correction is tentatively scheduled to be installed on 7/6/15. When the correction is installed and validated, claims in both SM7559 and SMQ164 will be released.
Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for May 13th, 2015
The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Top Claim Submission Errors (Medicare Part B)
The April Top Claim Submission Errors and resolutions are now available. Please take a moment to review these errors and avoid them on future claim submissions.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
New:
Medicare News
Customer Contact Center Survey "How are we doing?"
Please take a few moments to complete a short survey and give us your valued opinion. We are looking for feedback on your interaction with the Customer Contact Centers (General Inquiries, Claims Correction, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Provider Enrollment). Your responses will help us enhance our service to you. Take our survey today *.
Top Claim Submission Errors (Medicare Part B)
The April Top Claim Submission Errors and resolutions are now available. Please take a moment to review these errors and avoid them on future claim submissions.
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
New:
- MM9150 - Correction to the Multi-Carrier System (MCS) Editing on the Service Location National Provider Identifier (NPI) Reported for Anti-Markup and Reference Laboratory Claims
- MM9153 - Section 504: Implement National Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) in Alternate Formats
- MM9167 - Quarterly Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Drug/Biological Code Changes - July 2015 Update
- SE1516 - Chronic Care Management (CCM) Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SAMHSAs Technical Assistance Center
SPRC Spotlight: Expanding the Reach of Zero Suicide in States and Communities
Zero Suicide is a comprehensive approach that aims to dramatically reduce suicide among individuals who are receiving care from health or behavioral health care organizations. Health care providers have key opportunities to identify individuals who are at risk for suicide.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To commemorate the month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is encouraging veterans, along with their families and friends, to visit and view recovery journey stories on the website, MakeTheConnection.net.
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Operation Shower Champions Military Families, Moms-to-be
A nonprofit organization geared toward helping military families -- especially expectant mothers whose spouses are often away fulfilling their duties -- got a boost from the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a special event.
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Special Veteran Court Offers Hope, Reprieve
In the early morning hours, hundreds of veterans trickled into a large courtyard located on the west side of C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center campus. One by one, each veteran was greeted with a smile and a handshake by volunteers manning registration tables for the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Stand Down for Homeless Veterans – an event held each year to assist homeless veterans and those at risk by connecting them with VA and community resources.
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Q&A: Legal Tips for Telehealth Mental Counseling
The rapid growth of websites, applications, and other mobile technology to help mental health providers virtually communicate with patients presents new opportunities to reach service members and veterans. However, this tech-enabled practice, known as telemedicine or telehealth, raises some legal concerns for providers.
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Duke, State VA Ally to Support Veterans
Duke University has partnered with the state to improve services for veterans in Durham and the rest of North Carolina. The joint initiative between Duke University’s Evidence-based Practice Implementation Center and the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs will focus on increasing access to mental health services for veterans and military families.
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STUDY: Care of Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Families [Subscription Required]
Over the past 13 years, more than two million U.S. military service members have been deployed to combat operations overseas, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to over 6,000 deaths and several thousand combat injuries, several hundred thousand service members (and their families) continue to struggle with deployment-related readjustment and medical and mental health challenges.
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Tenth Anniversary of VA’s Polytrauma Program
Veterans Adam Anicich and Andrew Clark appreciate, more than most, the significance of the 10th anniversary of VA’s Polytrauma treatment program. They both served in Iraq and both experienced explosions that left them with traumatic brain injuries.
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National Council for Behavioral Health Mental Health First Aider Newsletter: Fallen Police Officer Honored Through Partnership, Impact of Bullying on Mental Health, and More
Windermere Police Department Foundation honors one of their own with Mental Health First Aid partnership, study suggests negative mental health effects of bullying, and Brandywine Health Foundation helps school cafeteria workers identify warning signs in students.
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