October 2022

Hello Flex Coordinators,

I know you all are busy busy busy with the reports you are writing for us right now. I first want to say thank you! We appreciate the detail you give us and the time it takes for each of you to write these reports.

With that being said, I want to remind you of all of our upcoming deadlines:

• FY 2021 Performance Improvement & Measurement System (PIMS) Report
• Due: October 29, 2022 (Friday, October 28)
• FY 2021 End of Year Report (EoYR)
• Due: November 30, 2022
• FY 2021 EMS Supplement End of Year Report (EMS-EoYR)
• Due: November 30, 2022
• FY 2021 Federal Financial Report (FFR)
• Due: January 30, 2023
• Prior approval Carryover Request due: 30 days after FFR submission

FORHP hosted a webinar in September with TASC regarding the Flex Fiscal Year 2021 Wrap-Up. Please watch over that recording for additional information regarding the above reports.

Please reach out to your Project Officers with any questions you may have! We are here to help in any way we can.

Thank you for all you do,

Laura

Fall Flex Workshop



The Fall Flex Workshop is this week in Duluth, Minnesota! This is the first in-person workshop in a few years, and we are excited to add new and exciting activities and information for our more contemporary Flex colleagues. This week's states include Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. It's a great week, and we look forward to building on great networks and new friendships. 

National Rural Health Day

Each year rural health organizations and partners take an opportunity to promote and draw attention to the work in our communities. This is known as National Rural Health Day (NRHD), and we would like to invite you to use this opportunity in your state, as well! 

From the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) website: 

"NRHD is an opportunity to "Celebrate the Power of Rural" by honoring the selfless, community-minded, and determined spirit that prevails in rural America. NRHD showcases the efforts of rural healthcare providers, organizations and cooperatives, State Offices of Rural Health, and stakeholders from various industry sectors dedicated to addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face today and into the future."

Below are a few highlights from this month's Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Regulatory Update. You can find additional resources, guidance, and regulations on the Flex Forum (login required).

HHS Renews Public Health Emergency for Another 90 Days

Funding Opportunity: Rural Health Network Development Planning Program

CMS Wants Your Input on Establishing a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services

Several state Flex programs have had staffing changes recently. It is always exciting to welcome new partners and see what unique talents they bring to rural health!

CAHs Can! Use Healthcare Quality Week To Show That Quality Matters Every Day

Data: CAHs Measure Up – Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel

Tips: Robyn Quips – CMS Quality Program Emails



Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs Succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB1RH24206, Information Services to Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Grantees, $1,100,000 (0% financed with nongovernmental sources). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.