Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): Participating in the Improvement Activities Performance Category in the 2021 Performance Year - Traditional MIPS
Provides details on how to participate in the performance improvement part of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of two payment options under the Medicare Quality Payment Program. Identifies differences for small practices and clinicians located in a rural or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Geographic Access to Health Care for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in Five States: An Update
Describes the provider mix caring for rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries in Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington, using 2014 data. Examines the quality of care, number of annual visits, and the distances traveled for treatment of several conditions. Compares 2014 data with estimates from 1998, to assess the changes in geographical access to care. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural locations.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Addressing Opioid-Related Outcomes Among Individuals With Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Conditions: An Environmental Scan of Quality Measures
Presents the results of an environmental scan of healthcare quality measures relevant to addressing polysubstance use among individuals with co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Includes information on access to buprenorphine providers in rural communities.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum
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COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
Provides an overview of waived Medicare regulations in response to COVID-19. Lists waivers that impact all types of providers, including Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, physicians, skilled nursing facilities, and others. Includes information on changes to telemedicine and quality improvement programs.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS Open Door Forum Podcast and Transcripts
Provides audio recordings and transcripts of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Door Forum calls since October 2016, including the Rural Health Open Door Forums and COVID-19 stakeholder calls.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) COVID-19 Module
Provides information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's LTCF COVID-19 Module for the National Healthcare Safety Network. Includes a variety of resources and training focused on data collection, resident and facility impact, staff and personnel impact, supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilator capacity and supplies. Offers LTCFs a customized system to track COVID-19 infections and prevention process measures.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Healthcare Safety Network
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Public Health Foundation: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Training
A list of COVID-19 training opportunities available through the TRAIN Learning Network. Includes training options for public health, healthcare, and emergency preparedness professionals addressing COVID-19, vaccination, contact tracing, crisis and emergency risk communication, infection control, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Date: 04/2021
Type: Tutorial/Training
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Foundation
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CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative Models 2­-4: Year 7 Evaluation & Monitoring Annual Report
Seventh and final report describing findings from an evaluation of Models 2, 3, and 4 of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative, linking provider payments for an episode of care with the goal of decreasing cost of care while improving quality. Includes information specific to rural BPCI-participating hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies.
Additional links: Appendices, Findings at a Glance
Author(s): The Lewin Group, Abt Associates, GDIT, Telligen
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Model: Year 2 Evaluation Report
Second annual report of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model, which tests whether linking payments for a clinical episode of care can reduce Medicare expenditures while maintaining or improving quality of care. Covers the period from October 1, 2018, through January 1, 2020. Describes participants in the model; clinical episodes included; the reach of the model; and the impact of BPCI Advanced on episode payments, utilization, and quality of care. Includes information on rural hospital participation in the model.
Additional links: Appendices
Author(s): The Lewin Group, Abt Associates, GDIT, Telligen
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interpreting MBQIP Hospital Data Reports for Quality Improvement
Designed to help Critical Access Hospital (CAH) staff use Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) Hospital Data Reports to support quality improvement efforts and improve patient care in their facility. Includes examples of how to interpret MBQIP reports, links to additional resources, and a glossary of keywords.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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