RURAL ROUTE

April 2022

Hello Flex Colleagues,

We have many things coming up for the Flex programs. We know many of you are busy working on the non-competing continuation (NCC) Progress Report and if there are any questions, please let us know.

Next week, on May 2, there is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) webinar on "Fostering a Culture of Resilient Rural EMS." On May 5, we have a Virtual Knowledge Group (VKG) on "Value-Based Purchasing Models." We hope to see you there.

You should have received an e-mail about an upcoming Learning Collaborative (LC) on Strategic Planning. Participation is limited, so please review the information and let us know by April 29 if you are interested in participating. See below for more information.

Sign up for the annual Flex Program Virtual Reverse Site Visit (RSV). You'll want to make sure it's on your calendar in advance.

Matt Bancroft

Program Specialist - TASC/SHIP

May 2: EMS Webinar

May 4: DUE: Flex NCC Progress Report

May 5: TASC VKG: VBP Models

May 18: TASC 90: Workforce

July 19-21: Reverse Site Visit

Here are a few resources from Center programs and other rural health partners:

Delta Program: Quality Improvement Webinar Series (Recordings)

RHIhub: Partnering for Rural Transportation Podcast

Flex Monitoring Team: Evaluation and Inventory of State Flex Program Population Health Initiatives for Fiscal Years 2019-2023

The 2022 County Health Rankings were released on April 27, 2022. Read more at County Health Rankings and Roadmaps.

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Updates

Hello, Flex Program Coordinators!

I hope you all are starting to find that some warmer weather is heading your way! The cherry blossoms have come and gone here in the DC area, so spring is in full swing!

Our Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) update for this month will be a short one, as we all know you have been hard at work preparing your NCC Progress Report submissions. Two critical deadlines to remember:

The Quality Innovation Lab evaluation materials are due to FORHP on April 29th.

Your NCC Progress Report submissions are due in Electronic Handbooks (EHB) on May 4th.

Please look at the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC) Website for the updated guidance and materials to complete this report and resources to include outcome measures in your work plan. This link now includes an updated budget justification template as well.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your FORHP Project Officer with any questions regarding your submissions. We are here to help however we can!

Laura

CAH Regulatory Updates

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

HHS Distributes $1.75B in Provider Relief Fund Payments

HHS Renews Public Health Emergency

Continue reading about multiple new resources, guidance, and regulations on the Flex Forum (login required).

Upcoming TASC Event:

Strategic Planning Learning Collaborative

TASC will be hosting the virtual Strategic Planning Learning Collaborative, beginning May 26th and continuing weekly for seven sessions through July 7th.

This learning collaborative series will feature in-depth discussions and practice opportunities related to strategic planning for state Flex Programs. The aim of the learning collaborative is that it will enhance your ability to understand, develop, and implement strategic planning fundamentals for your state Flex Program.

Participation is limited to allow for conversation and practice activities. If your state Flex Program has a staff member interested in participating in this event, please fill out the Strategic Planning Learning Collaborative Application by April 29th.

This event will require that two staff members from your state Flex Program work together to develop a strategic plan for your Flex Program. For additional information, don't hesitate to contact Caleb Siem, Program Specialist.

Updated Resources:

Sliding Fee Scale Discount Guide

Updated April 2022, this guide provides critical access hospital (CAH) and rural health clinic (RHC) executive and management teams with concepts and guidance in developing a Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program. It also assists in gaining an understanding of how sliding fee scale discount programs relate to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(r) compliance and participation in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).

The NHSC application cycle is currently open.

Population Health Toolkit

The National Rural Health Resource Center has an interactive Population Health Toolkit to assist in creating a movement toward wellness through population health strategies. In coordination with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), this toolkit is a public source of information that includes understanding population health, assessments, and a web-based database for acquiring health data specific to your location. A recent data source update was launched and included three new data scenarios for state Flex Programs, critical access hospitals, and other rural health care providers.

HCAHPS Vendor Directory

The HCAHPS Vendor Directory has been updated. This guide provides information on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), including the benefits and challenges of implementing an HCAHPS survey process with small rural hospitals, specifically critical access hospitals (CAHs). Identifies vendors to guide small rural hospitals and CAH vendor selection of this critical, patient-centered survey process.

Flex Program Welcomes and Farewells

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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! Please join me in welcoming and congratulating the following:

Welcomes:

Stanley Woodson - Alabama Flex Coordinator

Gloria Robertson - California Flex Coordinator

Position Changes:

Reneisa Jones - New Florida Flex Coordinator

We hate to lose amazing people but wish nothing but the best for our friends as they embark on new adventures. The following have, or will be leaving, their Flex positions:

Exiting staff:

Misty Dennis - Missouri

Holli Mills - Utah (May 6th)

MBQIP Updates

The MBQIP Monthly includes:

CAHs Can! National Rural Virtual Quality Improvement Mentor Profile Series: Caryn Bommersbach
Data: CAHs Measure Up – OP-18 Performance Snapshot
Tips: Robyn Quips – Annual Measures OP-22 and HCP
Tools and Resources – Helping CAHs Succeed in Quality Reporting & Improvement

Please send your MBQIP questions to tasc@ruralcenter.org. TASC will ensure your question reaches the appropriate person.

Webinars, Recordings, and Resources

Playbacks

TASC 90 Webinar: Health Equity for Flex Programs

Leveraging SHIP and Flex for Hospital Performance Improvement

Resources: Highlights for your Flex Program

A full list of resources is available in the TASC Resource Library.

For any questions or concerns, please contact us:

tasc@ruralcenter.org - 877-321-9393 - www.ruralcenter.org

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, $1,560,000 (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.