At the Forefront of Healthcare Transformation 
 
 
ILHITREC
Interchange
Newsletter
May 2020
 
 
Implementation Strategies for Rural Community
Telehealth Programs
 
Each rural community telehealth program is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all implementation strategy. Successful telehealth programs identify existing resources and best practices and tailor them to address their community's needs. This module (Module 4 a Rural Telehealth Toolkit) https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/telehealth identifies key concepts to consider when implementing or expanding a rural community telehealth program. READ MORE 
 
This module contains:
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3- Week Webinar Series:
Strengthening Your Immune System by Managing Stress
 
Stress is a perfectly natural and expected response to this ongoing, world-wide pandemic. During this time of increased stress and isolation from others, we have the opportunity to develop new routines to support our health.  We encourage you to attend this three-part webinar series focused on managing stress, leveraging relaxation and meditation, and making the connection between mind and body.
 
 Week 1: Webinar Replay: Managing Stress in the Body 
 
In this webinar we explored the mechanisms behind stress so that we can be fully aware of what is happening in our body. We connected the relationship between stress and a lowered immune system and experimented with 2 simple tools to reduce stress.
Visit  ILHITREC's Webinar page  for the replay and PowerPoint in PDF format.
   
 
Week 2: Managing Our Thoughts Through Relaxation & Meditation 
Wednesday, May 20, 2020  12 - 12:45pm 
 
In the second webinar in the series, we will look at Managing Our Thoughts Through Relaxation & Meditation. Here we will connect how stress relates to worry, anxiety and our thoughts. Our perception of reality also plays a role in lowering our stress. We will experiment with a guided relaxation and meditation exercise.
   
Week 3: Emotions and Rejuvenation at the End of the Day
Wednesday, May 27, 2020  12 - 12:45pm 
 
In the third webinar, we will learn about the connection between our heart and mind, and their involvement with emotions. While our emotions can accumulate in our body over time, we can remove these accumulated emotions through a simple Rejuvenation tool. We will also experience a simple guided relaxation and meditation exercise.
 
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Webinar Replay: 
Aligning Medicaid PI Objectives with your Telehealth Strategies
 
This webinar focused on how emerging telehealth technologies align with the Medicaid PI program objectives and how you can utilize technology to best serve your patients during this time of crisis. 
 
Visit  ILHITREC's Webinar page  for the replay and PowerPoint in PDF format.   For a succinct summary of telehealth and remote visit changes listed by Technology, Regulations and Billing, CLICK HERE. 
 
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Rural health CEO on the financial struggles of COVID-19  
 
The ongoing struggles of rural health care in America are not a secret to anyone in this industry.
 
In 2019, a record 19 rural hospitals closed. Thus far in 2020, nine hospitals have already closed and the COVID-19 pandemic, with its devastating impact on hospital operating margins, threatens to make it a much more staggering amount.   
 
Financial resources dedicated to providers in the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act will help, rural health advocates say. The National Rural Health Association says that half of rural hospitals (PDF) and providers operated at a financial loss before the pandemic. The loss of revenue from the pandemic meant hundreds were at risk of closure before the funding came in. READ MORE
    
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Medicaid PI Program Attestation Deadline Extension
 
The 2019 Program Year Attestation deadline for the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability program has been extended to 5/31/2020. Please submit your 2019 attestations as soon as possible.
 
If you need assistance or have questions, please reach out to your ILHITREC representative or send us an email at [email protected]. Attestations for the 2020 Program Year are open now.  
 
Program Year  First Day Providers May Attest 
Attestation Deadline
 2019  1/1/2020  5/31/2020
 2020
 4/1/2020  2/28/2021
 2021
 5/1/2020
 8/31/2021
 
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Eligible Hospital Hardship Exception
 
For the 2019 reporting period, the Eligible Hospital payment adjustment deadline for hardship exception applications has been extended to September 1, 2020. The Critical Access Hospital deadline for the 2019 payment adjustment application is November 30, 2020. For more information on the hospital hardship exception, please see the following table, and check the following:   
   
 
Participation Year 
EHR Reporting Period 
Medicare EH Attestation Deadline 
Hardship Exception Application Deadline
 2019
 Jan 1 2019 - Dec 31, 2019 (any continuous 90 Days)
Feb 28, 2020
Hospitals: Sept 1, 2020 
CAHs: Nov 30, 2020 
2020  
 Jan 1 2020 - Dec 31, 2020 (any continuous 90 Days)
Feb 26, 2021
Hospitals: July 1, 2021 
CAHs: Nov 30, 2021
   
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Updated eCQM Specifications and eCQM Materials for 2021 Reporting Now Available
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) specifications for the 2021 reporting period for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals, and the 2021 performance period for eligible professionals and eligible clinicians. CMS updates the specifications annually to align with current clinical guidelines and code systems so they remain relevant and actionable within the clinical care setting. These updated eCQMs are to be used to electronically report 2021 clinical quality measure data for CMS quality reporting programs. Measures will not be eligible for 2021 reporting unless and until they are proposed and finalized through notice-and-comment rule-making for each applicable program.   READ MORE 
 
 
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Please note that ILHITREC's Clinical Informatics Specialists  have expertise to assist you with any questions or concerns related to the EHR Incentive Programs. Contact us at [email protected] or visit ILHITREC.org for complete details on the wide variety of services provided by ILHITREC.
 
About Support Provided by ILHITREC
The Illinois Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (ILHITREC), under contract with the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (HFS), is providing education, outreach, EHR, and Meaningful Use support to Medicaid providers for the Promoting Interoperability Program. Contact us at [email protected].