Please see the update below from NARHC on provisions of the Affordable Care Act relating to individuals with Limited English Proficiency and how these requirements impact RHCs. On October 16, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act goes into effect. This section is designed to provide meaningful access to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) among other things. Those affected by the provisions include all physicians receiving financial assistance from HHS (except solely Medicare Part B). According to the final rule, rural health clinics are considered covered entities and will need to comply with the provisions. In general, RHCs must post taglines and notices concerning the ava
The Missouri Office of Administration has announced the three vendors that will provide Medicaid managed care services beginning in May 2017. In 2015, the General Assembly expanded managed care statewide for the Medicaid populations currently in the program, namely children, non-disabled adults, and pregnant women. The bid solicitation for statewide managed care services was released in April 2016. Plans submitted their proposals to the state in August. The successful bidders are Missouri Care, operated by Wellcare; Home State, operated by Centene; and United Healthcare. These vendors will provide statewide services across four regions. The current contractors are Missouri Care, Home Sta
In April 2016, CMS instructed RHCs to hold claims only for a billable visit shown in red on the Rural Health Clinic Qualifying Visit List until October 1, 2016. Upon billing these claims and/or for claim adjustments beginning on October 1, RHCs must add modifier CG (policy criteria applied) to the line with all the charges subject to coinsurance and deductible. As of October 1, the MACs will accept modifier CG on RHC claims and claim adjustments. RHCs must report modifier CG on one revenue code 052x and/or 0900 service line per day, which includes all charges subject to coinsurance and deductible for the visit. Coinsurance and deductible are waived for the approved preventive health services
CMS's Rural Health Solutions Summit will be held in Baltimore on October 19 from 9 am to 4 pm ET, and you can join the conference via livestream broadcast or the Kansas City Regional CMS Office. The Summit is designed to foster discussion on innovative strategies for improving rural care, access, and cost. CMS hopes these conversations will help rural health stakeholders work together toward higher-value, higher-quality healthcare. The conference will include presentations on telemedicine, delivery system innovations, case studies of successful rural health programs, and more. You can view the full agenda here and register online here.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has provided clarification for rural health clinics that there is no rule requiring multi-dose vaccine vials to be discarded 30 days after opening. The department recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions on expiration dates. Some RHC polices have a 30-day rule on multi-dose vials, but they may want to exclude vaccines. Some clinics are not carrying vaccines because they believe multi-dose vials must be discarded within 30 days, but this is not the case. RHCs should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. DHSS hopes this clarification will encourage more clinics to carry vaccines and make them available to children in
Thank you to everyone who attended the MARHC 2016 Fall Conference! During this two-day event, attendees heard from expert presenters on risk management, missed reimbursement opportunities, HIPAA compliance, customer service, and more. The conference provided a relaxed environment for clinics to learn and network with other RHCs and exhibitors. We hope you will make plans to join MARHC for next year's Spring Billing and Fall Conferences.
You are invited to participate in a webinar on the keys to writing a successful application for HRSA's Rural Health Network Development grant. The webinar is hosted by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. During the webinar, participating clinics will learn: The necessary steps to writing an effective Network Development grant application Ten questions to answer before deciding to apply for this funding What resources are available to support the grant application effort The webinar will be hosted on Thursday, October 13th at 2 pm ET. You can sign up online here.
