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January 9-15, 2012 |
VRHA News Virginia News National News Mark your calendar Resources Funding Opportunities VRHA Site |
Winter newsletter now available. |
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Members in the NewsBy Mark Kelly - WSET.com When it comes to healthcare, many in Nelson County say their options are lacking. There is not a pediatric center in the entire county, forcing many to travel to Charlottesville or Lynchburg. But, that will change. [VRHA member] Blue Ridge Medical Center in Nelson County is opening a new building. On the eve of the grand opening, crews put on the finishing touches. When the sun comes back up, Blue Ridge Medical Center will open its state of the art facility. The new 28,000 square foot facility boasts more exam rooms for faster service, and a brand new pharmacy with over-the-counter medicine. But, it's the pediatrician everyone's excited to see, because there isn't one in the whole county. View the video and read the full article or additional articles from NBC29.com and News & Advance. Coding BootcampVRHA will be providing Coding Certification Bootcamp. The bootcamp will cover the CPT, HCPCS and ICD-9 books for 2012 (Click here for detailed agenda). bootcamp dates are:
Visit the webpage for additional information and registration. VHWDA Positions OpenVRHA is proud to be involved in the hiring of Gay Plungas as the Executive Director of the newly created Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority. As Beth O'Connor transitions out of the role of management consultant, we will be assisting in the search for the other two staff positions, Director of Development and Communications and Administrative Assistant/Fiscal Technician. Details and application information for both positions can be found at:www.vrha.org/vhwda2.html
Legislative WatchBills recently introduced in the General Assembly which could affect health in rural areas: HB 115: Makes it unlawful for a person to smoke in a motor vehicle with a child under the age of 13 present; punishable by a civil penalty of $100. HJ 18: Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to study the availability of community-based mental health services for individuals transitioning from state hospitals to community-based care and to identify service gaps and service needs and develop recommendations for addressing any service gaps or service needs in this area. HB 136: Provides that drug treatment courts shall be established in the Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Goochland, Montgomery, Russell, Smyth, and Washington, and that a drug treatment court shall be established in the County of Wise to serve the City of Norton and the Counties of Lee, Scott, and Wise. The sources of funding for such courts shall be federal appropriations and other nongeneral fund appropriations as may be made available for the purpose. CVHS is Here
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| National News |
In December, Congress finished their work on funding the federal government for fiscal year 2012.
As with other areas of the federal budget, discretionary dollars were spread thin and the fight for adequate and equitable funding was tough. Various versions of the appropriations bills cut massive amounts of funding to the National Health Service Corps, Area Health Education Centers and nurse training programs.
NRHA was successful, in collaboration with policy partners, at making sure these funding lines were funded at the highest level possible; final levels exceeded many expectations for these programs.
For a full breakdown of the health discretionary accounts, click here.
NRHA invites you to join us in fighting for rural together during the 23rd annual Rural Health Policy Institute Jan. 30 through Feb.1 in Washington, D.C.
Speakers include Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Mary Wakefield, senators, representatives and other policy leaders.
Click here for information and registration.
NRHA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) are concerned that physicians and other eligible professionals in rural areas are being inappropriately barred from participating in electronic health records (EHR) incentive programs.
In a letter written to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, AHA and NRHA voice their concern that professionals following these special billing rules are being classified as hospital-based, when, in fact, most of their services are ambulatory and should therefore be eligible for the EHR incentive programs.
Providers in rural areas offer much needed access to care in areas that are often underserved. These providers also have limited resources to support investments in EHRs. The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed its commitment to supporting EHR adoption nationwide. That commitment should extend especially to rural providers.
To view the letter in its entirety, click here.
By Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber - Daily Yonder
The news about narcotic painkillers is increasingly dire: Overdoses now kill nearly 15,000 people a year -- more than heroin and cocaine combined. In some states, the painkiller death toll exceeds that of car crashes.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the overdoses from opioid drugs like OxyContin an "epidemic." And a growing group of experts doubts that they work for long-term pain.
But the pills continue to have an influential champion in the American Pain Foundation, which describes itself as the nation's largest advocacy group for pain patients. Its message: The risk of addiction is overblown, and the drugs are underused.
What the nonprofit doesn't highlight is the money behind that message.
Read the full article.
| Mark Your Calendar |
For more information about these and other events, visit the VRHA Calendar.
January 18:
HIT Common Security Risks and Mitigation Strategies -
webinar
January 20:
Agricultural Medicine: Occupational & Environmental Health for Rural Health Professionals -
Greenville, NC
January 24-26: Rural Coding Bootcamp - Abingdon
January 30 - February 1:
National Rural Health Association Policy Institute -
Washington, DCFebruary 7-9: Rural Coding Bootcamp - Staunton
March 6-8: Rural Coding Bootcamp -Danville
March 15-18:
Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center Summit -
Charlottesville
Special Announcement: NRHA has been working with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to plan a conference call/webinar tailored to the needs of NRHA members. CMS’ HIT/HITECH specialist has suggested topics; however, he has asked members to individually propose material for that call.
To recommend a pressing issue in rural health IT for the call or to give feedback on CMS’ recommendations, email Derek Dye.
| Resources |
CMS issues FAQ on Medicaid RAC program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week published answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires states to contract with RACs to audit payments to Medicaid providers. In its FAQ, CMS discussed operational guidance to states and general information about the Medicaid RAC program. CMS anticipates sharing certain information about each state’s Medicaid RAC through its Medicaid RACs-At-A-Glance website. CMS last September issued a final rule requiring state Medicaid agencies to implement a RAC program by Jan. 1. The final rule contained a number of provisions that responded to AHA concerns, including limiting Medicaid RACs to a three-year look-back period; prohibiting RACs from auditing claims that they or others have already audited; and requiring them to notify providers of overpayment findings within 60 days.
| Funding Opportunities |
VA ADAP
The purpose of this RFP to establish a contract through a competitive negotiation with a Contractor/s qualified to provide Medical and Pharmaceutical Benefits Management for Virginia’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program’s (VA ADAP) health insurance continuation program, also known as the ADAP-Assist. Through this procurement, VDH will provide health insurance continuation for ADAP clients eligible for Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP), with the option to expand into other health insurance options or third party payors approved by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
To review the RFP document, please visit the eVA website at http://www.eva.virginia.gov/.
Please contact Kim Boehme (804-864-7553) with questions about this opportunity.
Ben & Jerry's Foundation: National Grassroots Grant Program
Through the National Grassroots Grant Program, Ben & Jerry's Foundation provides support to nonprofit community organizations throughout the United States that bring about progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. The broad goals of the program are to further social justice, protect the environment, and support sustainable food systems. Grants of up to $15,000 are provided to grassroots, constituent-led organizations that are using community organizing strategies to accomplish their goals as well as organizations that provide technical support and/or resources to such groups. The Foundation does not make grants to support social service programs. Letters of interest may be submitted at any time.
Kessler Foundation: Signature Employment Grants Program
The Kessler Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and other cognitive or neuromuscular disabilities. The Foundation’s Signature Employment Grants Program funds cutting-edge, non-traditional solutions that increase employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. These solutions may include new pilot initiatives, demonstration projects, or other social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to solve unemployment. Preference will be given to interventions that overcome specific employment barriers related to long-term dependence on public assistance, advance competitive employment, or launch a social enterprise project. Funded projects must be collaborative, serve a large geographic area, and include multiple funding partners and stakeholders. Grants of $100,000 to $250,000 per year for up to two years are available to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies throughout the U.S. The deadline for concept submissions is February 3, 2012.
Bikes Belong Coalition
The goal of the Bikes Belong Coalition, sponsored by the American bicycle industry, is putting more people on bicycles more often. The Bikes Belong Grants Program provides support for projects that leverage federal funding and build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. Funded projects can include bike paths and rail trails, as well as bike parks, mountain bike trails, BMX facilities, and bicycle advocacy initiatives. The focus of the facility grant category is to connect existing facilities or create new biking opportunities. The advocacy grant category seeks to support large-scale, innovative, replicable advocacy initiatives that significantly increase ridership and improve conditions for bicycling in big U.S. cities. The application deadline is February 29, 2012
Department of Education
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Small Business Innovation Research Program provides support for scientific or technical feasibility studies that utilize new technologies and address one of the following priorities: increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, recreational settings, or educational settings; enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with disabilities; enhanced workforce participation; enhanced community participation and living for individuals with disabilities; and improved interventions and increased use of health-care resources. Phase I applications are due February 13, 2012.
