KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

HIPAA Security Rule Gets a Makeover: Let’s Break it Down – Watch Now!

HIPAA Security Rule Gets a Makeover: Let’s Break it Down – Watch Now!

Public Webinar Available Now: HIPAA Security Rule Gets a Makeover – Let’s Break it Down

 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic Protected Health Information (NPRM) on Jan 6, 2025. This will be the first major update to the HIPAA Security Rule since the HIPAA Omnibus Rule in 2013.

These proposed changes bring about new requirements, including:

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Penetration testing
  • Patch management
  • Network segmentation
  • Data backup testing
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Security incident planning and testing
  • HIPAA compliance audits
  • Business associate delegation
  • Guidelines for ongoing maintenance


This webinar provides an overview of the proposed changes and expected timelines for regulated entities to meet compliance with the new rule. The proposed rule seeks to strengthen cybersecurity by updating the Security Rule’s standards to better address ever-increasing cybersecurity threats to the health care sector. While the Department is undertaking this rulemaking, the current Security Rule remains in effect.

For more information about the proposed rule for HIPAA Security, please follow the links below:

Fact Sheet: “HIPAA Security Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic Protected Health Information

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) – “HIPAA Security Rule To Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Electronic Protected Health Information

Contact the experts at Kentucky REC with all your HIPAA Privacy and Security questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

CMS QPP/MIPS 2024 Data Submission Extension & EUC Application Window and More

CMS Releases Notice of QPP/MIPS 2024 Data Submission Extension, EUC Application Window, & 2024 Suppressed or Truncated Measures

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced several updates impacting performance year 2024 under the Quality Payment Programs’ Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program.

2024 Submission Deadline Extension

The submission deadline for MIPS Data Submission for performance year 2024 has been extended until April 14th, 2025 until 8pm EDT for all MIPS eligible clinicians (ECs) and their representatives.

Opt-in ECs/group or Partial QPs reporting MIPS data, in order to receive a MIPS payment adjustment, must complete their election to participate in the program by March 31st, 2025 at 8pm EDT and complete all MIPS data submission by the April 14th extended deadline.

2024 MIPS EUC Exception Application Change

The 2024 MIPS EUC (Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances) Exception Application window will reopen due to the national IV fluid shortage. CMS is limiting EUC applications to those citing this shortage as the basis for the EUC Exception request. The application window will be in effect from March 31st, 2025 at 10am EDT through April 14th, 2025 at 8pm EDT.

2024 Truncated or Suppressed Measures Change

On Friday, March 21st, 2025, CMS announced 2024 clinical quality measures that will be truncated or suppressed for performance year 2024.
2024 Truncated Measure:

  • Quality Measure #185: Colonoscopy Interval for Patients with a History of Adenomatous Polyps – Avoidance of Inappropriate Use (MIPS CQM)

2024 Suppressed Measures:

  • Quality Measure #389: Cataract Surgery: Difference Between Planned and Final Refraction (MIPS CQM)
  • Quality Measure #488: Kidney Health Evaluation (eCQM)

For more information regarding MIPS submission deadlines, reopening of the MIPS EUC Exception application, or measure truncation/suppression impacts, please contact your KYREC advisor for additional details.

Interested in learning more about MIPS/QPP or how our advisors can assist your practice in maximizing performance in this or other value-based care programs? Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

HIPAA Security Rule Gets a Makeover – Let’s Break it Down – Webinar Mar 27

HIPAA Security Rule Gets a Makeover – Let’s Break it Down

Public Webinar to be released Thursday March 27

 

Fill out this brief REGISTRATION FORM to be among the first to receive this webinar recording.

HHS Announces Proposed Changes to the HIPAA Security Rule!

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic Protected Health Information (NPRM) on Jan 6, 2025. This will be the first major update to the HIPAA Security Rule since the HIPAA Omnibus Rule in 2013. These proposed changes bring about new requirements, including:

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Penetration testing
  • Patch management
  • Network segmentation
  • Data backup testing
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Security incident planning and testing
  • HIPAA compliance audits
  • Business associate delegation
  • Guidelines for ongoing maintenance

This webinar will provide an overview of the proposed changes and expected timelines for regulated entities to meet compliance with the new rule. This proposed rule seeks to strengthen cybersecurity by updating the Security Rule’s standards to better address ever-increasing cybersecurity threats to the health care sector.

While the Department is undertaking this rulemaking, the current Security Rule remains in effect.

HHS encourages all stakeholders, including patients and their families, health plans, health care providers, health care professional associations, consumer advocates, and government entities, to submit comments through regulations.gov.

For more information about the newly proposed rule for HIPAA Security, please follow the links below:

Fact Sheet: “HIPAA Security Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic Protected Health Information
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/hipaa-security-rule-nprm/factsheet/index.html

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) – “HIPAA Security Rule To Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Electronic Protected Health Information

Contact the experts at Kentucky REC with all your HIPAA Privacy and Security questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

QPP 2025 Public Webinar: Final Rule – Watch Now

QPP Year 9: 2025 Final Rule Overview
Available Now: Friday January 31, 2025

Key QPP Updates from the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

With the release of the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule in late 2024, CMS finalized programmatic changes impacting your practice in 2025 and future performance years.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• MVP Continued Expansion:
addition of 6 new MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and consolidation of two existing neurological MVPs
• Cost: 6 new episode-based cost measures added to the Cost Performance category, further emphasizing value-based care
• Improvement Activities: Revamp of category weighting and requirements
• APP Track & MSSP: Required measure set expansion for MSSP participants via APP Plus
• Advanced APMs: QP status determination changes and finalized updates to QPP Lump Sum Bonus payouts

Register and view this on-demand analysis to stay in the know as we explore critical elements of MVPS, APP and Traditional MIPS tracks of the Quality Payment Program.

Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.

PFS Fact Sheet

MSSP Fact Sheet

QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

PILL Podcast: Transforming Healthcare – Primary Plus’s CHW Program

Transforming Healthcare – Primary Plus’s CHW Program

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Brooke Perkins, Director for Community Health Worker programs at Lewis County Primary Care Center, Inc, also known as Primary Plus.

Brooke provides an in-depth exploration of their innovative Community Health Worker (CHW) program, tracing its mission, evolution, and remarkable impact. Learn how they’ve navigated challenges, gained healthcare provider buy-in, and transformed patient care workflows. Through inspiring success stories and insights into community impact, Brooke sheds light on the vital role of CHW programs in enhancing overall well-being. Tune in for a fascinating glimpse into the world of healthcare innovation and community health initiatives!

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

If you need assistance with healthcare quality improvement, contact the Kentucky REC at 859-323-3090 or by email.

QPP 2025 Public Webinar: Final Rule – Release Date Jan 31

QPP Year 9: 2025 Final Rule Overview
Release Date: Friday January 31, 2025

Key QPP Updates from the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

With the release of the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule in late 2024, CMS finalized programmatic changes impacting your practice in 2025 and future performance years.

Sign up today to view the Kentucky Regional Extension Center’s QPP 2025: CMS PFS & Quality Payment Program Final Rule Overview on Friday, January 31st, 2025.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• MVP Continued Expansion:
addition of 6 new MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and consolidation of two existing neurological MVPs
• Cost: 6 new episode-based cost measures added to the Cost Performance category, further emphasizing value-based care
• Improvement Activities: Revamp of category weighting and requirements
• APP Track & MSSP: Required measure set expansion for MSSP participants via APP Plus
• Advanced APMs: QP status determination changes and finalized updates to QPP Lump Sum Bonus payouts

Fill out this brief REGISTRATION FORM to be among the first to receive this webinar recording.

Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.

PFS Fact Sheet

MSSP Fact Sheet

QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf