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- November 4, 2011
Update to Medicare’s 2012 Physician Payment Rates
Read moreOn January 1, 2012, a 27.4% cut in Medicare payment rates to physicians will take effect due to the Sustainable Growth Rate formula. Congress has intervened to prevent these projected cuts annually since 2002. As the deadline approaches, Congress, the administration, and other government agencies are deciding whether to...
00 - November 3, 2011
CoverColorado Soliciting Feedback from Providers
Read moreCoverColorado, the insurance plan for individuals with pre-existing conditions, is soliciting feedback from all health care providers caring for CoverColorado members on its provider fee schedule that was implemented April 1, 2011. CoverColorado seeks provider input to evaluate the effectiveness of the present schedule and inform any potential changes...
- November 3, 2011
UPDATE: CMS Webinar Series on the EHR Incentive Program
Read moreThe date of the November webinar has been moved to November 29th. The CMS Kansas City Regional Office, in collaboration with the CMS Denver Regional office, is pleased to announce a series of three Webinars / Teleconferences pertaining to the Electronic Health Records Incentive Program: • 10/25/2011: Overview of...
- November 1, 2011
Governor Hickenlooper Releases FY 2012-2013 Budget
Read moreToday Governor Hickenlooper delivered his proposed FY 2012-2013 budget to the Joint Budget Committee (JBC). The budget request totals $20.09 billion. His proposal contains few cuts to healthcare programs. No Medicaid provider rate cuts were proposed and Amendment 35 funding will not be transferred to the General Fund but...
- November 1, 2011
CHP+ Cost Sharing Proposed Changes
Read moreAs posted previously in The Rural Voice, new cost-sharing changes are being proposed for the Child Heatlh Plan Plus (CHP+). Upon final approval on November 18, there will be changes in both the annual enrollment fee and copayment structure. This factsheet from Health Care Policy & Financing describes the...
- October 31, 2011
Executive Order Issued to Address Medication Shortages
Read moreThe Obama Administration today issued an executive order to address the increasing rate of drug shortages across the country. The order instructs the F.D.A. to broaden reporting of potential shortages of certain prescription drugs; accelerate reviews of applications to initiate or change production of these drugs; and provide more...
- October 31, 2011
HIT in the Patient-Centered Medical Home
Read moreAn E-Quality Update from Kaiser Permanenteby Ted Epperly, MD, and Dana Hamilton, RHIT All of us in the medical community face challenges as we implement more integrated and coordinated patient-centered care for our patients, but perhaps none more than primary care physicians. The Patient-Centered Medical Home — coupled with...
- October 28, 2011
Strengthening the Direct Service Workforce in Rural Areas
Read moreA recent publication from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services summarizes the challenges of the direct service workforce in rural areas and outlines strategies that communities can use to provide high-quality long term care services and supports. Read more.
- October 27, 2011
Update on Federal Deficit Negotiations
Read moreWith a deadline of November 23, the Super Committee continues its work to find at least $1.2 trillion in budget savings over ten years. Proposals have been offered but the group has yet to issue official recommendations. Some issues under consideration that impact rural communities include eliminating the Critical...
- October 27, 2011
Are You a Healthcare Innovator?
Read moreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking applicants for the Innovations Advisor Program. The Program will help individuals refine, apply, and sustain managerial and technical skills necessary to drive delivery system reform. Innovation advisors will work with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test new...
