May Newsletter

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Partnerships - Education - Advocacy - Resources

Resource Spotlight: Center for Rural Health Research at East TN State University

Housed in the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, the Center for Rural Health Research works to improve health and well-being at the community, state, regional and national levels. Located in the heart of Appalachia, the Center fulfills its mission by engaging rural communities to advance health and improve quality of life through innovative solutions that contribute to the expanding evidence base of what works in rural America. The Center works to honor and preserve its rich Appalachian heritage and Tennessee ties through distinctive research, community engagement, training and policy.

Learn More About the Center Here

ArchPro Coding Bootcamp June 23rd and 24th at The Residence Inn in Franklin, TN *stipends available

This 2-day bootcamp focuses on clinical documentation, coding, & billing for Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Community Health Centers (FQHCs). Coding and billing CEUs are available.

Full attendance includes the live training sessions, a 90-day ArchProCoding membership (one year if you pass the optional exam), access to a 20-question practice exam, and access to the full certification exam.

Click here to register and use discount code RHC2022. Call The Residence Inn at (615) 778-0002 for special rate of 144USD/night, June 22nd and 23rd.

*$400-dollar stipends are available for up to two participants from a TN-based RHC or FQHC

Resources and Announcements for Rural Health Clinics (see also RHC Blog Updates at RHA of TN)

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, Mary Lynn.

See our calendar for registration information and specific dates.

HRSA Launches Crisis Hotline for Expecting and New Mothers. Professional counselors are staffing the line around the clock, offering mental health support in English or Spanish. Research from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention shows that about 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression that may be missed or misunderstood by family. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is funded by HRSA through the agency’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).

State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies, Spring 2022. The Center for Connected Health Policy released its semi-annual report, covering state telehealth policy made between January and mid-April 2022.

HRSA payment program for Rural Health Clinics buprenorphine-trained providers.

Launched in June 2021, HRSA is working to improve access to substance use disorder treatment by paying providers who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, which treats opioid use disorder. Rural Health Clinics may apply for a $3,000 payment for each provider who trained to obtain the waiver required to prescribe buprenorphine. About $1.2 million in program funds remain available and will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. More information can be found here.

CDC COVID-19 Resources

New: CDC on Supporting Patients with Post-COVID Symptoms. On its weekly Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discuss the wide range of health consequences that are present four or more weeks after infection.

Provider Relief Fund. HRSA supports health care providers facing solvency challenges that affect their ability to respond to emerging health crises in an equitable manner.

One Stop Online for COVID Prevention and Treatment in Every County. Visitors to the site can enter their county and map nearby locations for masks, respirators, vaccines, boosters, and all testing and treatment options.

Spread the Word About Vaccine Boosters. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) provides resources – posters, flyers, videos, and talking points – to help promote the extra protection from COVID-19 boosters.

HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network. A joint program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is available at no cost to hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients. Teams of critical care clinicians - critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialized clinical experts – are available to deliver virtual care through telemedicine platforms, such as an app on a mobile device. Hear from participating clinicians, and email to learn more and sign up.

Funding and Opportunities

(Email [email protected] if you are interested in any of these opportunities)

Apply to Become a New Site for the NHSC – Deadline extended to June 7. Eligible rural health care facilities can expand clinician recruitment by applying to become an approved site for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Eligibility includes health care sites providing outpatient, ambulatory and primary health care services (medical, dental, and behavioral health) in high-need areas, including rural communities. Eligible site types also include facilities providing general substance use disorder treatment or an opioid treatment program.

General Preventive Medicine &

Public Health Residency Program at Meharry Medical College contact: [email protected] This program is an opportunity for FQHCs and RHCs in Tennessee to recruit, train and retain physicians in health centers, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas throughout TN.