- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
CMS Cross-Cutting Initiative: Supporting Health Care Resiliency Fact Sheets Published
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the “Supporting Health Care Resiliency” cross-cutting initiative (CCI), along with updated guidance to help health care providers prepare for the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency. CMS is taking these steps to continue to protect people and restore standards for compliance with CMS requirements.
Please review the attached blog and below web links explaining the coming changes for each provider type and a CCI fact sheet.
Web links:
CMS Blog: https://www.cms.gov/blog/creating-roadmap-end-covid-19-public-health-emergency
CCI Fact Sheet: www.cms.gov/files/document/health-care-system-resiliency-fact-sheet.pdf
COVID-19 fact sheets for each provider type: https://www.cms.gov/coronavirus-waivers
Updated waiver document: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdf
Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Health System Rolls Out ‘Work Your Way’ Staffing Model
From Becker’s Hospital Review
Citing a need to boost nurse hiring and retention, Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network has launched a new mobile internal staffing model.
The new program, called Work Your Way, aims to provide greater work flexibility for nurses, surgical technologists and other employees, according to an Aug. 19 news release.
Eligible workers will cover rotational shifts in telemetry, critical care, perioperative care and emergency medicine at Allegheny General, West Penn, Forbes, Jefferson, Wexford, Canonsburg, Allegheny Valley and Saint Vincent hospitals. Options are available for external and internal applicants who prefer to work weekends and those who prefer night shifts.
Mileage will be reimbursed at 62.5 cents per mile for individuals in the program traveling more than 50 miles from their home, according to a frequently asked questions section on the health system’s website. Lodging will be reimbursed for individuals in the program traveling more than 75 miles from their home.
“The severe nursing shortage across the nation continues to affect all hospitals and health systems. Creating and executing innovative solutions helps us address the staffing challenge and at AHN we are doing just that,” Allegheny Health Network Chief Nurse Executive Claire Zangerle, DNP, RN, said in a news release. “Our new mobile internal staffing program is one of many solutions relative to the staffing challenges. It’s also an opportunity for nurses who are interested in joining AHN’s community of nursing in a unique way with competitive wages, excellent benefits and the flexibility of practice at different AHN hospitals.”
The new Allegheny Health Network program comes as hospitals and health systems across the U.S. are going beyond financial benefits to retain staff, offering more flexibility in terms of their work.
To learn more about the program, click here.
CMS Publishes “End of the PHE” Factsheets
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their Roadmap to the End of the PHE to give guidance to prepare Health Systems for operations after the public health emergency ends. Currently, the PHE is extended until October 15, 2022, but HHS Secretary Becerra has committed to providing a 60-day notice prior to ending the PHE.
The following are fact sheets for each provider type and will provide guidance on the COVID waivers CMS is planning to terminate, keep or modify after the PHE ends and can be accessed directly from the links that are provided or by clicking here.
Unless additional legislation is passed, there are many important CMS waivers that will terminate at the end of the PHE to include:
- Critical Access Hospital Bed Count and Length of Stay (see page 10 of hospital/CAH fact sheet)
- Hospital Originating Site Facility Fee for Professional Services Furnished Via Telehealth (see page 4 of Hospital/CAH fact sheet)
- Expanded Ability for Hospitals to Offer Long-term Care Services (Swing Beds) for Patients Who do not Require Acute Care but do Meet the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Level of Care (see page 9 of Hospital/CAH fact sheet)
- Hospitals Classified as Sole Community Hospitals (SCHs) (see page 11 of hospital/CAH fact sheet)
- Hospitals Classified as Medicare-Dependent, Small Rural Hospitals (MDHs) (see page 11 of hospital/CAH fact sheet)
- Other Key Telemedicine Waivers (see page 13 of hospital/CAH factsheet)
- Limit Discharge Planning for Hospital and CAHs (see page 17 of hospital/CAH factsheet)
- Physician services (see page 24-25 of hospital/CAH fact sheet)
CMS COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities for Providers
- Physicians and Other Clinicians
- Hospitals and CAHs (including Swing Beds, DPUs), ASCs and CMHCs
- Teaching Hospitals, Teaching Physicians and Medical Residents
- Long Term Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities)
- Home Health Agencies
- Hospice
- Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
- Long Term Care Hospitals & Extended Neoplastic Disease Care Hospitals
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Laboratories
- Medicare Shared Savings Program
- Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies
- Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
- Ambulances
- End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facilities
- Participants in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
See below for additional information that CMS distributed:
- Creating a Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Health Care System Resiliency
Preparing the Health Care System for Operation After the Public Health Emergency: Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra extended the existing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) through October 15, 2022 – and has committed to providing states, health care providers, and other stakeholders a 60-day notice before ending the PHE.
3RNET Academy 2022: Free to Rural Facilities
Whether you’re a seasoned or a rookie recruiter, you’ll benefit from the 2022 3RNET Academy. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, rural facilities can attend for free. Register on the Pennsylvania 3RNET Academy page.
The academy kicks off Oct. 4, 2022 and runs every other week until Dec. 13, 2022, at 2:30 pm and is focused on the following topics:
- Session 1 – Guiding Your Recruitment for Retention Process – Practical Tools to Position Yourself as an Employer of Choice in Today’s Workforce Environment
- Session 2 – Planning and Preparation – Creating a Foundation for Success
- Session 3 – Marketing to and Finding Candidates – The New Normal
- Session 4 – Matching and Committing – Interviewing, Site Visits, and Closing the Deal
- Session 5 – Retaining for the Lifecycle of the Employee – Flexibility and Re-Recruiting
- Session 6 – 2022 Academy Wrap Up – Trends, Discussion, and Q&A with Industry Experts
Contact Judd Mellinger-Blouch, Director of the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, with questions.
PA Oral Health Coalition Launches New CEU Portal, Courses
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) is excited to launch a new and improved online course portal. Pennsylvania dental providers can earn up to 8.5 CEUs by taking the courses in the portal. The new portal allows users to register an account to keep track of completed courses, accompanying course resources, and earned CEU certificates. Be sure to check out our two new courses below. Click here to visit the course portal.
New Course Added: Increasing Parental Acceptance of HPV Vaccination: An Introduction for Dental Professionals
Check out this new course offered by PCOH in partnership with Temple University Harrisburg Campus and the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition and funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This course prepares dental professionals to become cancer prevention allies by equipping them to discuss human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination with the parents/caregivers of pediatric patients. There is 1 CEU available for dental providers. Click here to take the course.
New Course Added: Fred Rogers, the S-word, and Just Being You
Did you miss the live webinar on May 23rd? You can now take the course on the portal. This course provides a provocative assessment of the paradigm for personalized care and the impact it can have on oral health for individuals with disabilities. This course is offered by PCOH in partnership with Achieva and Dental Medicine Consulting and funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). There is 1 CEU available for dental providers. Click here to take the course.
AIDPH LGBTQ+ Oral Health Survey 2022 Announced
The American Institute of Dental Public Health is asking oral health providers to complete a brief survey assessing knowledge, comfort, educational experience, and resource building related to LGBTQ+ oral health. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and participation is voluntary. Responses are confidential and anonymous.
Impact of School Sealant Programs Report Released
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report, “Impact of School Sealant Programs on Oral Health Among Youth and Identification of Potential Barriers to Implementation.” This is the first study to examine children’s cavity risk and school dental sealant program impact in CDC-funded states. This study found that for every four sealants placed, one cavity is prevented. Increasing access to school sealant programs could reduce cavities, especially for children at higher risk for poor oral health.
Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact: Your Input is Needed!
The National Center for Interstate Compacts within the Council of State Governments shared a resource on the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, a project funded by the Department of Defense. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is an interstate occupational licensure compact, which is a constitutionally authorized, legally binding, and legislatively enacted contract among states. The compact will enable licensed dental providers to practice in all states participating in the compact, rather then requiring providers to get individual licenses in each state. Interstate compacts already exist for emergency medical service officials, physical therapists, and other medical professionals.
Please review the draft interstate compact and submit comments via the survey.
Click here for more information.
Click here to review the draft.
Click here to submit comments.
Funding Opportunity: Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan Mini-Grants
PCOH is requesting proposals for the 2022-2023 Oral Health Plan Mini-Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to facilitate the implementation of the goals and recommendations of the 2020-2030 Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan, as well as to advance the oral health of all Pennsylvanians. Requests may not exceed $4,000 with applications due by September 28 at 5:00 pm.
Click here to view the guidelines.
Click here to apply.
Funding for this project is through the Pennsylvania Department of Health through Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant. 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 CDC, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Reaching Rural Initiative: Applicants Being Accepted!
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the State Justice Institute; and the National Association of Counties, the Institute for Intergovernmental Research is excited to share a new initiative, Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions.
This new initiative is grounded in the value of “for rural, by rural.” The hallmark of the Reaching Rural initiative is learning from rural practitioners and facilitating engagement across rural communities.
What is the Reaching Rural initiative?
The Reaching Rural initiative is a one-year initiative. Over the course of the year, the selected individuals and teams will receive coaching and participate in skill-building workshops as well as virtual and in-person learning experiences.
Participation in the Reaching Rural initiative includes:
- Travel and per diem costs to participate in an orientation, a field visit to observe the implementation of evidence-informed practices in a rural setting, and a closing session at the end of the 12 months. This is not a grant opportunity.
- Monthly mentorship and guidance aimed toward your local needs.
- Monthly assignments that help you apply core concepts to your local community or region.
- Access to a diverse network of rural peers, innovative rural communities, and technical assistance providers.
- Formal recognition for completing the planning initiative.
Is the Reaching Rural initiative for You?
We are seeking individual practitioners or cross-sector teams from the same community or region interested in adopting bold solutions and reimagining how diverse organizations and agencies with different missions can engage with one another to address the persistent challenge of substance use and misuse in rural communities.
The Reaching Rural initiative is designed for rural agency leaders or mid-level professionals working in counties, cities, or tribes as justice, public safety, public health, or behavioral health practitioners.
Applicants may apply to participate in the Reaching Rural initiative as an individual practitioner or as a member of a cross-sector team from the same community or region. Participation is limited to up to 20 individual practitioners and up to 10 cross-sector teams.
The deadline for applying is September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., ET.
Curious to Learn More?
If you want to learn more about this initiative and application process, join us for an informational webinar on August 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., ET. Register at http://s.iir.com/Reaching_Rural.