Early Bird Discount! Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct. 23
The Campbell House, Lexington, Kentucky – Join Us in Person or Online
Register now for a 20% discount! Use code earlybird when registering at the link below!
Join us for an engaging day where we share essential topics shaping healthcare today and into the future. Our agenda includes in depth discussions of Quality Initiatives, HIPAA, Hospital Promoting Interoperability, and more.
Whether you’re a clinician, administrator, or a member of healthcare staff, this event is tailored to equip you with the insights and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare.
Guest speakers will join us to present on relevant topics. Details and Agenda coming soon!
Questions? Contact the Kentucky REC Annual Conference Team at Kentucky REC. 859-323-3090.
Registration Open! Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 23
The Campbell House, Lexington, Kentucky – Join Us in Person or Online
Join us for an engaging day where we share essential topics shaping healthcare today and into the future. Our agenda includes in depth discussions of Quality Initiatives, HIPAA, Hospital Promoting Interoperability, and more.
Whether you’re a clinician, administrator, or a member of healthcare staff, this event is tailored to equip you with the insights and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare.
Guest speakers will join us to present on relevant topics. Details and Agenda coming soon!
Questions? Contact the Kentucky REC Annual Conference Team at Kentucky REC. 859-323-3090.
Register Today! QPP Public Webinar May 13 – Accountable Care Series Kick-Off
QPP Year 9: QPP 2025 Accountable Care Series Part 1: A Journey to Whole Person, Patient-Centered Care
Live Webinar: Tuesday May 13, 2025 12 Noon ET
This open to the public live webinar marks the launch of our comprehensive four-part series designed to equip healthcare providers & leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of value-based accountable care.
CMS intends to align the QPP with agency goals as outlined in the Healthy People 2030 Initiative to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care services to all Traditional Medicare beneficiaries via accountable care relationships focused on improving quality and total cost of care.
In this inaugural session, we will explore the foundations of success in accountable care.
Topics Include:
• Cost and Quality Connection: Understand the critical link between cost-effective care and improved patient outcomes for value-based care
• Identifying Controllable Costs: Learn strategies to identify and manage costs within your control for better population health management
• Leveraging Population Health Strategies: Explore the significant impact of Chronic Care Management, Transitional Care Management and addressing socio-economic disparities in your patient population health and discover innovative approaches to address these critical factors
• Performance Alignment with CMS and Other Payers Through QI: Gain insights into establishing a framework of high-reliability and a culture of continuous quality improvement to remain relevant in the accountable care space
This webinar is a must-attend for all healthcare providers and leaders seeking to embrace a patient-centered approach to care and succeed in the evolving value-based care environment. Not a current KY REC client? For access to remaining webinars in this series, contact the KY REC to learn more about our services.
Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
QPP Webinar April 8 – Expert Insight Series: Promoting Interoperability – Mastering HIE
QPP Webinar – 2025 Expert Insight Series Part 3: Promoting Interoperability (PI) Category – Mastering the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Objective*
Tuesday April 8, 2025 @ 12PM ET
In the last segment of our Expert Insight Series, this webinar provides a deep dive into the critical Health Information Exchange (HIE) objective within the Promoting Interoperability (PI) Performance Category of the Quality Payment Program (QPP).
Key takeaways include:
• 3 Pathways to Success: Explore the three distinct methods for meeting the HIE objective and determine the best approach for your practice
• HIE Operations De-mystified: Gain a clear understanding of how Health Information Exchanges function, including data sharing processes and key considerations
• Maximizing Your Score: Learn strategies to optimize your HIE performance and maximize your QPP score
This webinar is essential for all providers seeking to successfully navigate the HIE objective and maximize their QPP performance. Access to this webinar series is reserved for clients of the Kentucky Regional Extension Center.
Join the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (Kentucky REC) on Tuesday, April 8th, at 12:00 pm for our client-only QPP 2025 Expert Insights Series: Mastering the Health Information Exchange (HIE) objective within the Promoting Interoperability (PI) Performance Category for the 2025 Quality Payment Program.
Interested in learning more about QPP, attend upcoming series, or learn how our advisors can assist your practice in maximizing performance in the QPP or other value-based care programs? 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.
Mark your calendars for “Promoting Interoperability (PI) Category – Mastering the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Objective*” on Tuesday, APRIL 8th at 12pm EST.
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!
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.
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.
QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf
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.
QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Kentucky REC QPP Webinar Dec 17: 2025 Final Rule
QPP Webinar: 2025 PFS & QPP FINAL RULE CLIENT-ONLY FIRST LOOK*
Tuesday DECEMBER 17, 2024 @ 12PM ET
On November 1st, 2024 the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) published the finalized regulatory update to the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), The Quality Payment Program (QPP), and Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Reporting Requirements impacting Medicare Parts A&B payment policies.
Kentucky REC expert advisors will share details on important aspects of the 2025 Final Rule, including discussing the items below.
This CMS ruling details important updates to all tracks of the QPP and Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program. MIPS Value Pathways or MVP expansion continues with the addition of 6 new MVPs available for reporting in performance year 2025, and the consolidation of two previously finalized MVPs into a single neurological MVP.
CMS further expanded the Cost Performance Category by adding 6 new episode-based cost measures for inclusion into the program. CMS finalized the performance threshold of the program through performance year 2025 to remain at 75 points, impacting the issuance of positive and/or negative payment adjustments to Medicare reimbursements in the 2027 payment year.
The MSSP finalized updates related to Shared Savings Pre-Payments, incentivizing and rewarding successful ACOs with upfront dollars based on historical shared savings performance to aid in offsetting costs associated with patient-care and population health infrastructure support.
CMS finalized the proposed APM Performance Pathway (APP) Plus measure set. This is a mandatory measure set for CMS MSSP ACOs, building on further strategic alignment across all CMS programs through the reporting of the Adult Universal Foundation Measure Set.
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.
Mark your calendars for “2025 PFS & QPP FINAL RULE CLIENT-ONLY FIRST LOOK*” on Tuesday, DECEMBER 17th at 12pm EST.
The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.
QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.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.
*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!
Watch Now! TEAM Model APM – for Acute Care Hospitals
TEAM Model APM – Transforming Episode Accountability Model for Acute Care Hospitals
Available Now: Friday Nov 15, 2024
On November 15th, your trusted REC experts released a webinar focusing on CMS’s recently announced new MANDATORY payment arrangement: Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM). This model is set to launch January 1st, 2026 for selected acute care hospitals in 188 core-based statistical areas (CBSAs).
Many Kentucky hospitals will be required to participate in this first phase, specifically hospitals located in:
Bowling Green
Corbin
Glasgow
Lexington-Fayette
Middlesboro
This model is a 5-year project beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.
You will receive regulatory analysis of this new program and information on: episodes of care; timelines; financial up-side and down-side risk glidepaths; and other need-to-know elements set forth by CMS in this new model.
For further information:
CMS TEAM Model Hospital Registration (Primary Hospital Contact for FY26 Mandatory Participants).
For more information on the upcoming TEAM Model
To receive future CMS announcements, join the CMS Listserv.
REGISTER TODAY to be in-the-know on this very important topic impacting clinicians and Acute Care Hospitals across Kentucky and the nation.
For details and more information on TEAM from CMS, visit HERE.
Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
