August 2016 ORH Monthly Newsletter
3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy
                                       
Are you a healthcare facility recruiting providers to a rural or underserved area?
The Academy is for you! Join 3RNet for this eight-part webinar series starting October 4, 2016.
 
Recruiting to rural and underserved areas will always be hard, but having a clear process and being knowledgeable about your resources can make it easier. Sign up for the 3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy to learn more about topics such as:
 
* Forming a recruitment action plan
* Leveraging your state Primary Care Office
* Conrad 30 J1 Visa Waiver Program
* National Health Service Corps
* and many more..
 
For more information concerning the 3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy, please click here.
2017 Physician Fee Schedule Updates


On July 6th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2017 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule. This is one of the major annual rules CMS uses to announce proposed changes to the Medicare program. Most notably for RHCs, this year's PFS makes numerous changes to the RHC Chronic Care Management (CCM) requirements, including changing the supervision requirement that we believe are welcome and should make it easier to implement CCM services.

For more information concerning the 2017 Physician Fee Schedule Updates, please click here.
RHC Billing for Nursing Visits
 
 In Home Health Shortage Areas
 
 
Section 1861(aa)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act authorizes Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) located in areas with a shortage of home health agencies to furnish part-time or intermittent nursing care and related medical supplies (other than drugs and biologicals) by a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to a homebound individual under a written plan of treatment. The current evaluation and management codes for home health visits are not billable by RNs or LPNs furnishing RHC or FQHC home health visits.

For more information concerning RHC Billing for Nursing Visits, please click here.

NC Childhood Lead Testing
and Follow Up Manual
                          

In an effort to raise more overall awareness of environmental issues within North Carolina, the Department of Public Health's Children's Environmental Health Unit has asked the ORH to share the NC Childhood Lead Testing and Follow-up Manual with its readers.

To access the NC Childhood Lead Testing and Follow-up Manual, please click on the link here. For more information on the Children's Environmental Health Unit, you may access their site here.
2016 National Rural Health Day
                                       
The N.C. Office of Rural Health will be hosting an event on Thursday, November 17, 2016 celebrating National Rural Health Day.
 
Please save this date on your calendars as more information, including a formal invitation, will be coming shortly after Labor Day.
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