RURAL RESPONSES TO COVID-19

COVID Update: Addressing Vaccine Confidence and Hesitancy The CDC has launched a Vaccinate with Confidence program aimed at strengthening vaccine confidence and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Vaccinate with Confidence advances three key priorities: protecting communities, empowering families, and stopping the spread of vaccine myths. Vaccination rates have remained strong on [...]

Texas Immunization Registry: Data Quality and Error Resolution Data Quality and Interface Errors are hampering Texas’ ability to accurately track the COVID-19 vaccines. This document serves to provide a brief overview of Texas Immunization Registry terminology, discuss the importance of data quality and error resolution, examine the different types of online reporting issues with corresponding [...]

The Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement (NRHI) has released best-practice tips and tools for creating off-site COVID-19 testing hubs. The toolkit addresses questions regarding testing among vulnerable populations, the alignment of OSCTCs with public health entities, community-based organizations, and other health systems to effectively address the testing needs, limitations, and opportunities across the population. The […]

On October 14, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Congress of an extended list of telehealth services that Medicare will pay for during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

On October 1, 2020, the Trump Administration announced $20 Billion in new Phase 3 provider relief funding after collaborating with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Phase 3 General Distribution allocation allows providers who have already received Provider Relief Fund payments to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and […]

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 UPDATED: PPP Loan Clarification The Small Business Association (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been a source of confusion for many hospitals. This document will serve as a guide to define what the PPP is, discuss the new FTE safe harbor, instructions on applying early for forgiveness, and includes information on current […]

COVID-19 FUNDING SOURCES IMPACTING RURAL PROVIDERS AUGUST 25, 2020 This link is intended to support rural health care providers, along with their state and local partners, navigate the availability of federal funds to support the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response and recovery efforts. {{ vc_btn: title=GO&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ruralcenter.org%252Fresource-library%252Fcovid-19-funding-sources-impacting-rural-providers%7C%7C%7C }}

EQUITY INITIATIVES IN RURAL HEALTH AUGUST 25, 2020 This link provides help for learning how CMS is applying a rural lens to new and ongoing activities of the Agency and informing the pathway by which CMS can achieve its rural health vision through intra-agency collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and the elevation of programs and policies that [...]

The Small Business Association (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been a source of confusion for many hospitals. This document will serve as a guide to define what the PPP is, discuss the new FTE safe harbor, instructions on applying early for forgiveness, and includes information on current qualified expenditures.

CODING FOR COVID-19 DIAGNOSES Because diagnosis coding for COVID-19 is complicated, the WHO created two codes- U07.1 (COVID-19 lab-confirmed) and U07.2 (COVID-19 clinically diagnosed). However, the United States only adopted the U07.1 code since U07.2 was released later. This leaves the coding very subjective for clinically diagnosed patients. Properly documenting and coding for a patient [...]