Leading the way for a healthy tomorrow
throughout rural Tennessee.
Partnerships - Education - Advocacy - Resources
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A Message from Alison Gower, RHC Network Director
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Dear Colleagues,
We had two days of INTENSE training June 23-24 at the Residence Inn in Franklin, TN. The ArchPro Billing and Coding Bootcamp was not only a success in terms of content, but it was an opportunity for RHCs across the state to connect with one another, share best practices, and, quite frankly, lift each other up in the work that you do. As I said on the morning of the second day, the more I learn about your work, the deeper my respect and gratitude grow. As we work together to build our network, I hope you will find our offerings beneficial. We have scheduled a series of lunch-and-learns, beginning July 8, 2022 that will run through January of 2023 (more information below). We are also planning networking events for RHCs at out annual conference in Pigeon Forge November 16-18 (stay tuned for details).
I hope you will consider applying for the Community Stars awards (see below), as I know you deserve to be recognized for your heroic work.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we move forward growing and developing our network.
With gratitude,
Alison (alison@tnruralhealth.org)
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Honors individuals and organizations working in and serving rural communities and supporting rural health collaboration, communication, education, or innovation. Community Stars are featured in an electronic publication that is released on National Rural Health Day each year.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Aug 1, 2022
Sponsor: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Resources and Announcements for Rural Health Clinics (see also RHC Blog Updates at RHA of TN)
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New Series for RHCs
Please save the dates for out lunch and learns beginning July 8 from 11AM to 12PM CT.
First presentation will be with special guest, Mark Lynn.
See our calendar for registration information and specific dates.
Announcements and Opportunities
Brain Links has a contract with the Tennessee Department of Health to survey healthcare professionals to learn more about how their practice is using the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline that was released in 2018, consisting of 19 sets of clinical recommendations designed for all healthcare providers who care for pediatric patients with this injury. Those recommendations cover diagnosis, prognosis, management and treatment. Take this quick survey.
HHS Allows for Audio-Only Telehealth. This week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued guidance stating that audio-only telemedicine appointments comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA, as long as providers take measures to protect patient privacy. HHS’s Office of Civil Rights says that this is an important tool for reaching people in rural areas with limited internet access, and/or those who are unable to use video.
The Telehealth Partner Toolkit empowers HRSA partners to share important resources that patients and providers can find on Telehealth.HHS.gov. Use the digital toolkit’s customizable newsletter articles, social media, and tip sheets to spread the word about how telehealth helps keep providers and patients connected and provides health care flexibility for patients and families.
Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Rural Appalachia. Researchers studied more than 100,000 patient visits at a primary care clinic in West Virginia between January 2019 and November 2020. The sample included 13,013 telemedicine visits to compare patient use and completion rates with in-person visits.
NRHA finalized a letter being sent to Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee members regarding needed policy solutions to support rural health clinics (RHC). NRHA looks forward to working with both Committees to ensure stability for RHCs and other rural hospital designations. In future weeks and months, NRHA will be drafting similar letters outlining policy solutions for rural PPS hospitals and rural FQHCs. You can find the letter we sent on CAHs last month here.
Jun 22, 2022 -- Announces the release of a $365 million resource package to support community capacity to address unsheltered homelessness through housing, healthcare, and support services. Describes the need in rural areas, for veterans, and other underserved groups, noting a $54.5 million set-aside for rural communities.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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COVID-19 Resources
Reaching Farm Communities for Vaccine Confidence. The AgriSafe Network is a nonprofit organization that provides information and training on injury and disease related to agriculture. Their health professionals and educators created a social media toolkit that aims to provide clear messages about COVID-19 vaccination for agriculture, forestry, and fishing workers.
Rural residents report confusion, pressure with vaccination
The biggest barrier to vaccinating rural residents against COVID-19 is the overwhelming amount of information – and disinformation – swirling through communication channels, according to a recent NRHA survey. The best way to overcome that barrier is to focus on sharing accurate information through the people and institutions that people trust the most, says NRHA’s Amy Elizondo. With more than 1 million people in the U.S. having died from COVID, a look at the data shows more than 700,000 of those were older than 65, and men died at higher rates than women. White people made up most of the deaths overall, yet an unequal burden fell on Black, Latino, and Native American people. NRHA has developed the Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative to help rural health stakeholders communicate COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety in their own words at the local level.
On June 2nd, the Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Operational Planning Guide was updated to include details about the anticipated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years, the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years, and the pre-order process and related assumptions. For more information, click here.
Webinar (MS Rural Health Association): COVID-Related Funding - Compliance and Reporting Considerations for Rural Healthcare Facilities
July 6, 2022 | Virtual
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Funding and Opportunities
(Email Alison@tnruralhealth.org if you are interested in any of these opportunities)
Financing Available If you are looking to expand your facility, re-locate, or broaden services, check out this blog about Primary Care Development Corporation’s services or reach out to Eleanor Beaber, Senior Loan Officer at ebeaber@pcdc.org
A benefit that helps low-income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. The Affordable Connectivity Program replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Administrative Company
Makes honorary awards to recognize clinicians, practices, and health systems that have made a significant impact on hypertension rates within their communities. Priority is given to communities that experience inequities.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Sep 7, 2022
Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Please save the dates for our annual conference, November 16-18 and consider submitting a proposal using this link .
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Thank you to our Preferred Business Partners!
for supporting our Rural Health Clinic Network
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Mailing Address:
PO Box 656,
Decaturville, TN 38329
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