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11.08.21
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Past issues are available in the Media Library.
CMS Releases Medicare Final CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Payment And Policy Updates
MO HealthNet Schedules Webinar On Private Duty Nursing Program
Court Renders Mixed Decision In 340B Contract Pharmacy Case
USDA Offers Community Food Projects Competitive Grants
RUS Announces Rural eConnectivity Program
Upcoming Webinar Highlights Treatment Interventions For SUD
AARP Reports Highlight Health Care In Rural America
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final calendar year 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payment and policy updates. Major updates include decreasing the PFS conversion factor by $1.30, expansion of the use of telecommunications technologies for behavioral health care and changes to the CMS Quality Payment Program. MHA published an issue brief with additional details.
Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade
The MO HealthNet Division is hosting a webinar from 1 to 3 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 7, on various elements of the private duty nursing program. Topics will include licensed nurse family members as paid caregivers, nurse licensure compact, nurse supervisor requirements and unit of service accrual provisions. Advance registration is required.
Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade or Jane Drummond
Federal district courts in New Jersey and the District of Columbia issued contradictory decisions in lawsuits brought by Novo Nordisk/Sanofi and Novartis/United Therapies, respectively, against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its actions to prohibit manufacturers from refusing discount drug sales to 340B qualifying entities dispensing drugs through arrangements with contract pharmacies. In the Novo Nordisk case, the court essentially affirmed HHS’ enforcement actions, but the court in the Novartis case found HHS’ enforcement actions to be unsupported by the law.
This follows a mixed decision by an Indiana district court in a lawsuit brought by Eli Lilly in which the court found that the agency’s action was supported by the law but differed enough from the previous positions the agency has taken on its enforcement authority to render its latest action to be arbitrary and capricious.
Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture is offering grants to plan or implement food projects designed to meet the needs of low-income individuals and increase community self-reliance concerning food and nutrition. There are two types of grants available within this funding opportunity, including the planning projects grant and community food projects grant. The planning projects grant should be used to complete plans for food security improvement projects, whereas the community food projects grant should support ongoing projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make projects self-sustaining. Additional details, including the application instructions and process, are available online. The application deadline is Monday, Dec. 20.
Staff Contact: Dana Dahl
The Rural Utilities Service, a rural development agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced that it is accepting applications for the Rural eConnectivity Program, or ReConnect Program. The ReConnect Program provides loans, grants and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. Applications may be submitted beginning Wednesday, Nov. 24, and will not be accepted after Feb. 22, 2022.
Staff Contact: Shawn Billings or Kaylen Payne
Substance use disorder is a complex chronic disease process that affects physical, mental and emotional health. Medical researchers and providers are learning that an integrative and patient-centered approach to treatment addresses the complete person rather than simply targeting symptoms.
During the webinar, “Integrative and Lifestyle Interventions for the Treatment of SUD,” Dr. Amy de la Garza, medical director of addiction medicine at Novamind and Cedar Psychiatry, will discuss the use of and evidence for nutraceuticals in the treatment of SUD, the importance of nutrition in recovery, and some easy interventions that providers can implement in their practice. The webinar takes place at noon CST on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Registration for this complimentary virtual event is open.
Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga or Dana Dahl
The American Association of Retired Persons recently published reports that focus on health care in rural America. Both reports are based on surveys of rural adults ages 40 and older that were conducted in November and December of 2020.
The first report, “Health Care in Rural America: Use, Affordability and Access,” focuses on rural access to health care and the overall health of rural adults ages 40 and older. It addresses disparities in health, income and access to health insurance, and presents data on household income, mental health status, chronic conditions, concerns related to visiting health care facilities due to COVID-19 and more.
The second report, “Health Care in Rural America: Focus on Internet and Telehealth Use,” addresses access to specialty health services, infrastructure gaps in rural areas and utilization of telehealth services. The report presents data on internet use relative to overall health, internet access at home and with smartphones, cost issues, and concerns and barriers to telehealth utilization.