Aug 27, 2025
Healthcare Providers – Help Us Understand the Impact of Substance Use Stigma in Healthcare
Stigma surrounding substance use disorders can influence many aspects of the healthcare system, including how care is delivered and experienced. At the University of Kentucky, our research team is working to better understand how stigma influences clinical-decision making, provider-patient relationships, and treatment outcomes. Through in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals, the research team will focus on developing a deeper understanding of the challenges healthcare providers face when caring for patients with substance use disorders. By listening to the voices of healthcare providers, we hope to identify effective strategies that reduce stigma and create a more supportive environment for both patients and professionals. Research participants will inform recommendations for improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes and shape the content of educational resources for healthcare professionals. Your participation matters!
How to Participate
- Quick Start: Take a short online survey (about 5 minutes) to provide consent, schedule your interview, and gather background details
- Interview: Participate in a 45–60 minute confidential conversation scheduled at your convenience between August 11 – September 9, 2025 (video and in-person options available)
- No Prep Required: Share your authentic professional experiences, observations, and perspectives on substance use stigma in healthcare settings
- Receive your Token of Appreciation: Participants will receive a $25 gift card in appreciation of their time
Together, we can better understand the role of stigma in healthcare and work toward solutions that improve care for all patients. If you are interested in participating, you can learn more, complete the brief survey, and choose an interview time that works for you by visiting the participation page.
Research Team
-
Dr. Jessalyn I. Vallade, Associate Professor, College of Communication and Information
-
Dr. Kimberly A. Parker, Professor, College of Communication and Information
- Dr. Alex Elswick, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment
This research has been approved by the UK Institutional Review Board (#102942).
Aug 6, 2025
QPP Webinar: 2026 CMS QPP NOTICE FOR PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM)*
Tuesday August 19, 2025 @ 12PM ET
CMS released the calendar year 2026 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP) Proposed Rule on July 14th, 2025. This proposed rule brings significant changes that could directly impact your reimbursement, reporting requirements, and participation in value-based care models. CMS is also proposing a MANDATORY payment model for ambulatory specialists treating Original Medicare beneficiaries for heart failure and low back pain.
Learn about CMS’s proposed changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, Shared Savings Program and APM Track updates, the new mandatory payment model, and other need-to-know proposals impacting your clinical practice.
Join our experts at the Kentucky Regional Extension Center on August 19th, 2025 for a live, client-access only roundtable discussion. We will cover the major proposed updates and potential impacts to eligible clinicians and practices in Program Year 2026 and beyond.
Interested in becoming a QPP client? As a client, you receive exclusive access to our analysis of all aspects of the Quality Payment Program. To speak with the team on how we can best support you, feel free to contact us HERE.
For more information on the 2026 NPRM, visit our recent blog post.
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.
*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!
Aug 5, 2025
CMS Releases 2026 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule: Key Takeaways for Providers
On July 14, 2025, CMS released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule, outlining major updates to MIPS, APMs, and introducing a new mandatory payment model.
These changes could significantly affect reimbursement, reporting, and value-based care participation. Staying informed is essential to protect your practice’s financial health and compliance.
NPRM KEY CHANGES
Nov 21, 2022
NCQA has recently evaluated their Patient Centered Medical Home and Specialty Practice recognition programs. After the review, they are making some significant changes to both programs, as shared below:
- Beginning in 2024, PCMH and PCSP practices will be required to use an electronic health record (EHR).
- Beginning in 2024, standardized measures will be required for PCMH (reporting period 1.1.23 – 12.31.23).
- Some standardized measures may pose challenges to some, so NCQA will allow organizations to submit a request for custom measure(s).
- Organizations will also be allowed to submit a request for exceptions to calendar year reporting on a case-by-case basis.
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about practice transformation. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
