RURAL ROUTE

July 2022

August 2:

HIT Coalition Webinar

August 4:

Flex Virtual Knowledge Group

August 17:

TASC 90

Leadership Sustainability

Population Health Toolkit

Mid Level Leaders And The Transition To Value Video Series

Network Sustainability Toolkit

Flex Colleagues,

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and participated in the 2022 Flex Program Virtual Reverse Site Visit (RSV). Recordings are available on the Attendee Hub for those registered for the event.

Please watch the new Leadership Fundamentals video series: "Surviving and Thriving as a New Leader." There is excellent content here with easy application to the Flex Program and our day-to-day operations.

There are many things to look forward to over the next few weeks. Take the time to check the links to your left and let us know what information you need.

Thank you for all that you do!

Matt Bancroft

Program Specialist - TASC/SHIP

2022 RSV Recognitions

2022 Calico Quality Leadership Award

Congratulations

Teryl!

Read the full press release.

Teryl Eisinger, Advisor, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), was awarded the Calico Quality Leadership Award at the 2022 Flex Program Reverse Site Visit held virtually July 19-22, 2022. Teryl has served on the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC) Advisory Committee and has worked for 20 years to connect the goals of the Flex Program with State Offices for Rural Health to improve the quality and financial viability of health care providers in rural communities.

2022 MBQIP Recognition Video

Video recognizing state Flex Programs for their MBQIP reporting measures

Flex QI Award Recipient

R. Scott Daniels, Ph.D., MA; Performance Improvement Coordinator, Hawaii

2022 MBQIP Recognition

Ten state Flex Programs have been recognized for their quality improvement performance. The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) Performance Awards recognize state efforts in reporting MBQIP measures. State Flex programs work with Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to maintain their quality performance reporting and are vital to the reporting success of this measurement from hospitals.

The top 10 state programs with the highest number of CAHs submitting reporting are recognized yearly. The volume and depth of the reporting are considered, as well. States are publicly recognized at the annual Flex Program Reverse Site Visit (RSV), held virtually in 2022.

In rank order, the states recognized in 2022 are Utah, Wisconsin, South Carolina, West Virginia, Nebraska, Maine, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Virginia. Programs from Maine and Pennsylvania share the 6th spot, while Michigan and New Hampshire share the 8th.

Additionally, one state's Flex Program is awarded the "Flex QI Award" for its outstanding efforts to execute MBQIP activities while identifying creative ways to maintain hospital engagement in quality improvement. This state will have demonstrated innovation and adaptability while addressing needs to improve the quality of care in its communities.

Accepting the Flex QI Award at the 2022 RSV was R. Scott Daniels, Ph.D., MA; the Performance Improvement Coordinator for the State of Hawaii.

Hello Flex Coordinators!

What an amazing Reverse Site Visit we had last week! I want to thank you all for such great and engaging conversations throughout the entire week. I learned so much from our speakers and you all, and I am so grateful for the work you continue to do to support your Flex Program and your hospitals.

TASC will host their next VKG on the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model on August 4, 2022, at 2 pm CT. George Pink from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Center and Pat Schou from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network will present this new provider designation and how you might start thinking about this in your states. FORHP will also discuss the new National REH Technical Assistance Center and supplemental money you will receive to support your work in outreach to your hospitals.

A quick reminder of a few upcoming important deadlines for your Flex Programs:

Performance Improvement and Measurement System (PIMS) due October 30
End of Year Report, including the final evaluation survey and spreadsheet for your Quality Innovation project, due November 30
Annual Federal Financial Report (FFR) due January 30

We will host a webinar to discuss these reports and wrap up Flex Year 3 on September 13, 2022, at 2 pm ET. Please check your email for the Zoom link and further information.”

Please do not hesitate to contact your Project Officer with questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Laura Seifert

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Updates

CAH Regulatory Updates

CMS Establishes a Framework for Health Equity

Administration Releases National Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis

Multiple new resources, guidance, and regulations exist on the

Flex Forum (login required)

News and Updates:

Types of rural and urban hospitals and the counties where they are located.

The Rural Health Research & Policy Centers has recently promoted a study from North Carolina that provides a snapshot of the types of rural and urban hospitals and the counties where they are located.

The information includes numerical and statistical data on the locations and types of hospitals throughout rural communities.

Take the time to read and utilize this information to help understand your Flex Program and other programs across the country.

Each module includes a 20-30-minute educational video, reflection and discussion questions, resources, and suggested activities to support learning. Hear from rural leadership experts, rural hospital senior leaders, and new leaders!

Watch the Series Trailer

Visit the Series Website

New EMS Funding Opportunity Available Now!

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. In the fiscal year 2022 (FY22), up to $1 billion is available. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Who is eligible to apply for grant funding?

Metropolitan planning organizations;
Counties, cities, towns, and transit agencies or other special districts that are subdivisions of a State;
Federally recognized Tribal governments; and
Multijurisdictional groups are comprised of the above entities.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 15, 2022. More information on this opportunity can be found here.

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:

Kathleen Connors de Laguna, FORHP

Ashley Wallace, Kansas

Alyssa Furukawa, FMT

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:

Mary Sheridan, ID

Kye Richards, WI

Clarrisa Noble, VA

MBQIP Updates

The MBQIP Monthly includes:

CAHs Can! National Rural Virtual Quality Improvement Mentor Profile Series: Marilyn Denno
Data: CAHs Measure Up – HCAHPS Response Rates
Tips: Robyn Quips – EDTC Abstraction Quiz Answers
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

The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Value-Based Payment Models During COVID-19: An Evolving Rural Perspective

Building A Strong Foundation For RHCS In The Transition To Value Webinar

Delta Program Customizable Communications Toolkit

Recruitment and Retention for Rural Health Facilities

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.