KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

PILL PODCAST: A Look into the KHIE Image Exchange
PILL PODCAST: A Look into the KHIE Image Exchange

PILL PODCAST: A Look into the KHIE Image Exchange

Mobilizing Clinical Images with KHIE: A Look into the KHIE Image Exchange

Andrew Bledsoe is back with another exciting episode! Join cohosts Brent McKune and Stephen Williams as they sit down with KY State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director, Andrew Bledsoe. Gain a comprehensive overview of KHIE’s role in facilitating health data exchange, with a special focus on the Image Exchange component. If you’re a healthcare organization looking to connect, find out how KHIE can assist you on this journey. Tune in for valuable insights into enhancing healthcare interoperability and ensuring seamless data exchange.

Learn more about KHIE at their website, KHIE.ky.gov

Andrew Bledsoe is currently KY State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director

The intersection of health information technology with quality care delivery has provided Andrew with a unique perspective over his nearly 20 years in healthcare. Starting his career in a regional hospital, he quickly learned the challenges in healthcare, especially rural medicine, and began investing in the concept of leveraging health information technology to improve outcomes for patients. His current appointment within the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services primarily focuses on implementing the KHIE Strategic and Operational Plan, promoting the statewide exchange of patient health information, spearheading a number of new services designed to improve care coordination, and offer new avenues to reduce reporting burdens and foster inter-agency collaboration.

Listen to our podcast on Buzzsprout, or Spotify and Apple Podcasts. All previous episodes are available.

If you need assistance with health information technology, contact the Kentucky REC at 859-323-3090 or by email.

QPP Webinar Dec 12: QPP Final Rule First Look

CMS released the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule on Nov 2, 2023. This final rule includes updates to the MIPS/MVP and APM Tracks of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) models, as well as other need-to-know updates, including adjustments to PFS payment rates, SDOH & telehealth services reimbursement.

As part of this 2024 Final Rule, CMS has moved to finalize 5 new additional MVPs to further expand this pathway of the QPP in coming years. CMS also finalized policies regarding the reporting expansion of the Promoting Interoperability Performance Category. Lastly, CMS has finalized additional Cost Performance Category measures that Eligible Clinicians (ECs) and groups may be evaluated on in the upcoming 2024 performance year. This webinar will help you learn what these and other critical updates will mean for your practice.

Already a QPP client or interested in becoming one? Get a jump start on preparing for the new year by joining our upcoming webinar. As a client, you receive exclusive access to our analysis of this regulation.

Mark your calendars for “Client Only QPP Final Rule First Look” on Tuesday, December 12th at 12pm EST.

Additional open to the public webinars will be available in 2024 highlighting major updates and implications to eligible clinicians and practices related to this final ruling.

To speak with the team on how we can best support you, feel free to contact us HERE.

For additional information on the 2024 PFS/Quality Payment Program Final Rule, the final ruling can be downloaded from the Federal Register HERE.

The CMS 2023 Final Rule overview fact sheet, PFS fact sheet, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through these links:
PFS/QPP Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2024-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule
MSSP Fact Sheet: https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/mssp-fact-sheet-cy-2023-pfs-final-rule.pdf

Contact YOUR Experts at the Kentucky REC for all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We are here to help. Call us at 859-323-3090.

QPP Year 7: Client Only Final Rule First Look*
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023 @ 12PM ET

*This webinar is for Kentucky REC contracted QPP clients only. If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more about becoming a client, please contact us at (859) 323-3090 or email us at KYRec@uky.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!

PILL Podcast: KHIE – Connecting Kentuckians to Community Resources

KHIE: Connecting Kentuckians to Community Resources

Cohosts Brent McKune and Stephen Williams of the Kentucky REC introduce Episode 11 of Kentucky REC’s PILL Podcast. In this episode, they sit down with KY State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director, Andrew Bledsoe, to delve into the significance of Social Drivers of Health (SDoH) and the state of Kentucky’s efforts to address them.

Learn more about KHIE at their website, KHIE.ky.gov

Episode Highlights:

  • Unpacking the vital concept of SDoH and its pivotal role in healthcare
  • Gaining insights into Kentucky’s unique SDoH challenges and the proactive measures taken to tackle them
  • Exploring the integration of kynect resources with KHIE and its advantages for healthcare organizations
  • Understanding the challenges that KHIE faces and its vision for the future
Andrew Bledsoe is currently KY State HIT Director and KHIE Deputy Executive Director

The intersection of health information technology with quality care delivery has provided Andrew with a unique perspective over his nearly 20 years in healthcare. Starting his career in a regional hospital, he quickly learned the challenges in healthcare, especially rural medicine, and began investing in the concept of leveraging health information technology to improve outcomes for patients. His current appointment within the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services primarily focuses on implementing the KHIE Strategic and Operational Plan, promoting the statewide exchange of patient health information, spearheading a number of new services designed to improve care coordination, and offer new avenues to reduce reporting burdens and foster inter-agency collaboration.

Listen to our podcast on Buzzsprout, or Spotify and Apple Podcasts. All previous episodes are available.

If you need assistance with health information technology, contact the Kentucky REC at 859-323-3090 or by email.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 26: Andrew Bledsoe on KHIE and SDOH

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Virtual

Oct. 26 2023, Lexington Kentucky, Harper Hall

KHIE Featured Speaker: Andrew Bledsoe

Navigating Social Determinants of Health with KHIE

In this presentation, Andrew Bledsoe, Executive Director of the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE), will showcase the pivotal role that KHIE has in improving population health. With a focus on the strategic use of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) capabilities, this session delves into the profound impact KHIE has on healthcare in Kentucky.

Gain valuable insights into KHIE’s cross-cabinet collaboration with kynect resources, exemplifying a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing the well-being of Kentuckians, including the essential steps that healthcare organizations can take to seamlessly integrate with KHIE and unlock the expansive array of resources accessible through kynect resources.

There will be dedicated time for attendees to provide feedback and suggestions, fostering a collaborative environment where your insights can contribute to the ongoing enhancement of SDoH and, in turn, elevate Kentucky’s overall population health.

Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 26: Trudi Matthews on SDOH

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Virtual

Oct. 26 2023, Lexington Kentucky, Harper Hall

UK HealthCare Featured Speaker: Trudi Matthews

Social Drivers of Health – Strategies and Best Practices
for Implementation, Screening, and Follow-up

Trudi Matthews serves as Senior Director of Quality and Value Strategy in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UK HealthCare, the health system of the University of Kentucky (UK). In this role, Trudi works with UK HealthCare’s executive team and ambulatory leadership to ensure success in value-based programs for Medicare Medicaid, and commercial insurers. Trudi also serves as government affairs and policy lead for UK HealthCare overseeing a team responsible for reviewing and analyzing state and federal government policy initiatives.

Trudi is also Executive Director of the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC) at UK. Trudi oversees this state-wide center charged with assisting health care leaders, practices, and hospitals across Kentucky with using technology, connectivity, process improvement and value-based care models to improve the quality and value of health care. From 2015-2019, she was Managing Director of the Kentucky REC, leading and supporting multiple externally sponsored projects such as Kentucky’s Practice Transformation Network Grant, Medicaid Meaningful Use/Promoting Interoperability Support and several CDC-funded projects with the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Trudi formerly served as Director of Policy and Business Development with the Health Collaborative/HealthBridge. Between 2008-2014, Trudi served in leadership roles on a variety of grant-funded technology and quality improvement initiatives including Cincinnati’s Beacon Community Program, the Tri-State Regional Extension Center, RWJF-funded Aligning Forces for Quality, the Kentucky and Indiana State Health Information Exchange Programs, and the Nationwide Health Information Network, among other initiatives.

From 2005-2007, Trudi was Senior Policy Advisor with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where she served as coordinator for Kentucky’s statewide e-Health efforts and worked on Medicaid transformation initiatives. Trudi worked for the Council for State Governments from 1999-2005, where she was lead staff for its national health policy task force and oversaw a portfolio of health policy grants and programs for state legislators and executive branch officials. She began her career working for the Iowa Board of Medical Examiners.

Over her career, Trudi has managed more than $50 Million in grants and contracts aimed at improving health and health care through policy, technology and quality improvement.

In her presentation, Trudi will share useful resources and takeaways for healthcare practices small and large as they work to incorporate SDOH screening effectively in their patient care.

 Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 26: Quality Presentation

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Virtual

Oct. 26 2023, Lexington Kentucky, Harper Hall

Kentucky REC Quality Team Speakers: Jessica Elliott & Vance Drakeford

Balancing Cost & Quality: Strategies for Providing Safe and Efficient Care

Providing high quality care at low cost often seems impossible to achieve. However, research studies indicate that higher per beneficiary spending is NOT a predictor of improved long-term patient outcomes.

Through the Quality Payment Program, CMS has established Value in Healthcare as the sum of quality care and patient outcomes proportional to the total cost of care. Regardless of which track you elect to participate in as an eligible clinician or group in the Quality Payment Program, maximizing performance in the Quality and Cost Performance categories is vital for success.

Quality team lead Jessica Elliott, and colleague Vance Drakeford will explore the relationship between clinical quality performance and related cost measures. They will share how to navigate cost measure feedback from prior evaluation and apply QI principles to impact performance across categories.

 

Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.