September 3, 2020 What's New Deadline for COVID-Related Provider Relief Fund Extended to September 13. Providers participating in state programs for Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Children's Health Insurance Program, dental providers, and certain Medicare providers may still apply for emergency funding related to the pandemic. Three Federal Departments Team Up for Rural Health Initiative. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a new effort to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Federal Communications Commission to promote broadband services and technology to rural areas. Comments Requested: NAM Framework for Allocating COVID-19 Vaccine – September 4. Responding to a request from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NAM) have formed a committee to study and help plan for equitable allocation of vaccines against COVID-19. Input from the public, especially communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic, is needed to develop a discussion draft for the committee. The comment period opened on September 1 and will close at 11:59 p.m. ET this Friday, September 4. HHS Coronavirus Data Hub. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) launched a website in July with data on the COVID-19 response at federal, state, and local levels. The hub includes estimated and reported hospital capacity by state, with numbers updated daily. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders, updated regularly. COVID-19 FAQs and Funding for HRSA Programs. Find all funding and frequently asked questions for programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). CDC COVID-19 Updates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including a section specific to rural health care, and a Toolkit for Tribal Communities. New this week: MMWR Weekly COVID-19 Briefing is now a podcast series with the latest scientific information published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. GHPC's Collection of Rural Health Strategies for COVID-19. With support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provides reports, guidance, and innovative strategies gleaned from their technical assistance and peer learning sessions with FORHP grantees. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties. The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis provides up-to-date data and maps on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases beginning January 21. Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The Rural Health Information Hub posted a guide to help you learn about activities underway to address COVID-19. Now including Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for healthcare systems preparing for and responding to a COVID-19 surge in their communities. SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created this list of resources, tools, and trainings. Funding and Opportunities ARC Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems – Letters of Intent October 16. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will make grants of up to $500,000 for projects within ARC's 13 state region that create or expand upon a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce re-entry for individuals in recovery from substance abuse disorder. Projects are encouraged to support the post-treatment-to-employment continuum, which could include investments in healthcare networks and/or recovery-focused job training. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, local development districts, institutions of higher education, tribes/tribal consortium, and public or private nonprofit organizations. Letters of intent are required by October 16 for a final application deadline of November 13. National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – November 5. The NHSC S2S LRP application cycle is open with two new eligible disciplines – nurse practitioner and certified nurse-midwife. These students, along with medical and dental students in their final year of school can receive awards up to $120,000 in exchange for a three-year commitment providing primary care services at NHSC-approved sites in high-need areas. Policy Updates Visit the FORHP Policy page to see all recent updates and send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. HRSA Request for Information: Health Professional Shortage Area Criteria – September 18. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeks feedback from the public on scoring criteria for Health Professional Shortage Areas. These designations indicate areas with health care provider shortages in primary care, dental health, or mental health. Email responses to RFIComments@hrsa.gov and reference "Health Professional Shortage Area Scoring Criteria RFI" in the subject line. HRSA Request for Information: Maternity Health Professional Target Areas – September 18. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeks public input to develop criteria for identifying Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas. These are areas within Health Professional Shortage Areas that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals. Email responses to RFIComments@hrsa.gov and reference "Maternity Care Health Professional Target Area Criteria RFI" in the subject line. Comments Requested: CMS Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to COVID-19 – November 1. On September 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published an Interim Final Rule with Comment Period that includes new requirements in the hospital and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for daily reporting of COVID-19 data. These regulations are effective on September 2, 2020 and are applicable for the duration of the Public Health Emergency for COVID–19. While many hospitals are voluntarily reporting this information now, not all are. Hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals, will face possible termination of Medicare and Medicaid payment if unable to correct reporting deficiencies. The rule also includes updates to Extraordinary Circumstances Exceptions (ECE) for several quality reporting programs and a revised policy on repeated COVID-19 testing. New Guidance on Provider Relief Funds and Hospital Cost Reports. On August 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated their COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Billing to include guidance on how hospitals should treat CARES Act Provider Relief Funds (PRF) in upcoming cost reports. Beginning in April, funds were distributed to providers, including targeted disbursements to rural providers, to support COVID-19 relief efforts. The new guidance on pages 99-101 of the FAQs informs hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, and other providers on how to report the PRF payments on the Medicare Cost Report and whether those payments should offset expenses. Rural Crosswalk for COVID Waivers and Flexibilities. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a summary of all current COVID-19-related waivers and flexibilities that affect Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Critical Access Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rural hospitals generally. It also describes the significance of each provision for these rural providers and facilities. Final rule: Medicare FY2021 Hospital Payment and Policy Updates. Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Final Rule. It includes increases in payment rates for hospitals, new requirements for hospitals to report payer-specific negotiated charges, and policy changes when a graduate medical teaching hospital or residency program closes. CMS is also adopting the most recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) statistical area delineations, which results in 34 urban counties becoming rural, 47 rural counties becoming urban, and several urban counties shifting between existing and new urban statistical areas. These shifts may impact the payment rates for hospitals located in those areas. Learning Events and Technical Assistance CMS Coronavirus Stakeholder Calls. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosts recurring online sessions to share information related to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. HHS Telemedicine Hack – Wednesdays at 12:00 pm ET through November 25. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is partnering with the ECHO Institute at the University of Mexico, and the Public Health Foundation's TRAIN Learning Network to deliver a 10-week peer-to-peer learning community called Telemedicine Hack to provide knowledge and skills for video-based telemedicine. All ambulatory providers (e.g., primary care, surgical, rural/urban, dental, mental health, solo practitioners) are invited to participate. Unconscious Bias in Behavioral Health Care – Thursday, September 10 at 1:00 pm ET. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center will discuss the impact of unconscious bias and offer practical tools and strategies to use in provider practice. Public Health Ethics Forum: Ethical Dilemmas in Rural Health – Friday, September 11 at 1:00 pm ET. Hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tuskeegee University, the forum will focus on ethical issues for improving health in rural populations. Sessions will cover the impact of COVID-19, barriers to accessing health care services, and physical determinants of health in rural areas. How CMS is Modernizing Clinical Quality Measures – Tuesday, September 15 at 2:00 pm ET. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires certain professionals and hospitals to measure and track the quality of health care services through electronic clinical quality measures, or eCQMs. This webinar will be offered twice in September (the second date is Thursday, September 17) to provide an overview of quality measurement, the unique features of eCQMs, and CMS' plans for digitization. Contact MMSSupport@battelle.org with questions about the webinar. VA COVID-19 Training – Wednesday, September 16 at 2:00 pm ET. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a session on caring for patients who do not have COVID-19 during the pandemic. The session is designed for clinicians of all disciplines and open to both VA and non-VA clinicians. Continuing education credit is available for those who preregister in VHA TRAIN. Learn more about the VA's COVID-19 Guidance for Community Providers. OMH on COVID-19 Response in Minority Communities – Thursday, September 17 at 12:00 pm ET. Registration is now open for a virtual symposium hosted by the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) to highlight state, Tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority populations. Resource of the Week COVID-19 Back-to-School Resources for Mental Health. The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center has a series of webinars and other resources useful for helping students and staff cope with changes in schooling. Approaching Deadlines Comments Requested: NAM Framework for Allocating COVID-19 Vaccine – September 4 Comments Requested: End Stage Renal Disease Proposed Rule –September 4 NHIB/CDC Strengthening Tribal Public Health Systems – September 4 NIH Researching Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Disparity Populations – September 7 ACL Innovation Challenge: Technology for Social Isolation – September 8 USDA Capacity Building for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions – September 10 USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge – September 10 COVID-Related Provider Relief Funds – Extended to September 13 AHRQ Innovation Challenge for Rural Postpartum Mental Health – September 15 BIA Native American Business Development Institute Grant – September 15 DOJ: COVID-19 Violence Against Women Assistance to Tribes – September 16 RWJF Healthy Eating Research Grants – September 16 HRSA Request for Information: Health Professional Shortage Area Criteria – September 18 HRSA Request for Information: Maternity Health Professional Target Areas – September 18 ACF Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Grants – September 21 HUD Rural Capacity Building for Affordable Housing – September 28 Pandemic-Related Payment Deferrals: USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Development – September 30 AAFP Health Equity Fellowship – October 1 IHS Tribal Injury Prevention Program – October 1 Comments Requested: Proposed Changes to Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System – October 5 Comments Requested: Proposed Updates to the CY2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule – October 5 NIH Health Services Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities – October 5 HRSA Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children – October 6 RWJF 2021 Culture of Health Prize – October 15 ARC Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems – Letters of Intent October 16 FCC High Speed Broadband/Rural Opportunity Fund – October 22 IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program Negotiation – October 28 Comments Requested: CMS Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to COVID-19 – November 1 National Health Service Corps Students-to-Service Loan Repayment Program – November 5 HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – November 16 NIH Digital Interventions to COVID-19 Secondary Effects – December 30 Ongoing Opportunities AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Dept of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program IHS Tribal Forensic Healthcare Training IHS/DOD Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course NIH Pilot and Feasibility Studies for Drug/Alcohol Prevention Trials – January 7, 2021 NIH Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – Dates Through August 2022 NIH Research on Minority Health/Health Disparities – September 8, 2022 NIH Research on Palliative Care in Home/Community Settings – September 8, 2022 NIH Research to Improve Health Care Quality and Outcomes Through HIT NIH Strategies for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in HIT Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Nominations for National Advisory Committee on Migrant Health Opportunity Zones for Economic Development Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SBA Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Southeast Rural Community Assistance Loans USDA Community Facilities Program USDA Community Food Projects Technical Assistance USDA Drinking Water and Waste Disposal for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Rental Housing – through 2021 USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Summer Food Program USDA Technical Assistance for Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) | 
Connect with HRSA
No comments:
Post a Comment