WEBINAR JUNE 18: KENTUCKY REC CAN HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR QPP PERFORMANCE
As your organization works through the 2020 Quality Payment Program year, Kentucky REC Quality Experts want to share insights on how we can help your eligible clinicians in both the MIPS and APM (Alternative Payment Models) tracks. The Kentucky REC has a proven record with 10 years of advice and guidance to help Kentucky providers, small and large, comply with federal and state regulations, avoid penalties, and earn incentives when available.
We are committed to helping Kentucky clinicians with our patient-centered approach and Quality Improvement methodologies to improve quality, patient care, and health outcomes in the Commonwealth. We look forwarding to sharing with you how our team of experts can help your organization achieve your goals.
Webinar – QPP Year 4: Kentucky REC Can Help You Improve Your QPP Performance
Thursday, JUNE 18, 2020 12:30 PM ET
Contact the experts at Kentucky REC for all your QPP, MIPS, and APM questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
QPP WEBINAR MAY 21: YEAR 4 COST CATEGORY
Join us for the second of three webinars in our series on MIPS Year 4 categories: COST. CMS made a number of changes for year 4 of the Quality Payment Program, and the Cost category weight grows as the program progresses. While this category doesn’t require a submission on your part, there are ways in which you can prepare for and improve your Cost scores.
Two long term goals of the QPP involve:
- assigning at least one Cost measure to every participating clinician
- having Cost have equal weight with Quality in the program
To meet these goals, the number of potential Cost measures and category weighting has continued to grow over the past 3 years of the program. As Cost continues to rise in significance, it is increasingly important that clinicians consider how their performance on Cost measures will affect their performance scores. Clinicians and their organizations will want to grow their ability to avoid the programs escalating penalties for not meeting performance thresholds.
Our experts will share the changes to Cost for 2020, along with methods you can use to better monitor your Cost performance in the Quality Payment Program. No matter your practice size, Cost will have an impact on your performance scores, and will be a critical category for obtaining a positive payment adjustment. We want to help you not only meet the minimum threshold, but thrive in the Quality Payment Program.
Webinar – QPP Categories Year 4: Cost
Thursday, May 21, 2020 12:30 PM ET
Next in the series:
July 16 – QPP Categories Year 4: Promoting Interoperability & Improvement Activities
All QPP Webinars start at 12:30 PM 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 Kentucky REC. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!
Future dates subject to change
WEBINAR JUNE 10: MEDICARE PROMOTING INTEROPERABILITY FOR HOSPITALS
Join us Wednesday June 10 for an informational webinar as we review the Stage 3 Medicare Promoting Interoperability (Meaningful Use) requirements for Program Year 2020, for both Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals. The Kentucky REC has been providing advice and guidance across the Commonwealth for over 10 years, helping Kentucky hospitals small and large, comply with regulations and avoid penalties. We look forwarding to sharing how our team of experts can help your organization achieve its goals.
Webinar – Medicare Promoting Interoperability for Hospitals
Wednesday June 10, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about Promoting Interoperability for hospitals. Our experts are here to help: 859-323-3090
PI WEBINAR MAY 13: HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE & KY PUBLIC HEALTH OPTIONS
Join Kentucky REC and KHIE experts as we discuss Health Information Exchange (HIE) in detail. We will discuss the benefits of utilizing HIE, an overview of the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability HIE and Public Health Objectives, and workflow suggestions. A representative of the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE) will present on their services that can help you in successfully implementing HIE within your practice, along with the Public Health options that are offered in Kentucky.
Let us help you prepare for and be successful when tackling Stage 3.
Webinar: KY Medicaid Promoting Interoperability (MU) for EPs:
Successfully Incorporate Health Information Exchange and KY Public Health Options
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 12:00 pm ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about Promoting Interoperability. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
KHIE & ANTHEM BCBS MEDICAID INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITY
Kentucky Health Information Exchange Incentive Opportunity Announced!
In collaboration with the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) and the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE), Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid (Anthem) is offering participating Anthem providers the opportunity to apply for assistance to help offset the costs associated with connecting to KHIE. If approved, providers may be awarded up to $2,000, per tax identification number (TIN) and/or business entity, until all funds up to $100,000 are depleted. Approved providers will be notified using the email address provided on the Application.
Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020 (may be extended due to COVID-19 national emergency).
More information and the application can be found HERE.
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions. We’re here to help and are available at 859-323-3090.
“This effort was made possible by Grant Number PON2 746 2000001660 from KY CHFS and US DHHS. The project described was supported by Grant Number PON2 746 2000001660 from KY CHFS and US DHHS.”
ANNOUNCING KENTUCKY REC ANNUAL HEALTHCARE CONFERENCES! AUGUST AND FALL 2020
Join the Kentucky Regional Extension Center at our 2020 Annual Healthcare Conferences!
This year, our focus is on Navigating the Future. During the conference we will explore a variety of useful topics to help your practice address the challenges of today’s healthcare landscape. We want Kentucky providers and healthcare organizations across the Commonwealth to be prepared despite the major changes to healthcare in the state and the nation. Connect and discuss Change Management, Telehealth, HIPAA, the Quality Payment Program, Promoting Interoperability, and more! This event welcomes clinicians, administrators, clinic staff and all healthcare professionals.
Breakout Sessions:
- Medicaid and Hospital PI
- MIPS
- Chronic Care and Transitional Care Management
- Alternative Payment Models
- HIPAA
- Patient Centered Medical Home and Specialty Practice
Dates and Locations:
Owensboro August 13, 2020
Lexington August 18, 2020
Louisville October-November, 2020
The Louisville event will be in conjunction with the KHIE eHealth Summit, currently planned to be sometime in the end of October to early November.
STAY TUNED! Registration will begin soon!
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions. We’re here to help and are available at 859-323-3090.
QPP YEAR 4 WEBINAR APRIL 30: MIPS ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT MODELS
One of the goals of the Quality Payment Program is for providers to move into what are called Advanced Alternative Payment Models. In Year 4 of the QPP, clinicians who meet the billing and/or patient thresholds in an Advanced APM are still eligible for the 5% lump sum payment. Over the course of this program, the requirements and flexibilities afforded to APM participants have evolved. Initially almost all participants in Advanced APM models met the billing and/or patient thresholds, making them eligible for the Qualified Participant status. However, as the thresholds (and the difficulty of meeting them) have increased, the likelihood of becoming a Qualified Participant or Partial QP status has declined. Because of this, many clinicians may find themselves evaluated on the MIPS APM scoring standard.
During our webinar, our quality experts will discuss the changes to the APM track and how the increases to the billing and/or patient thresholds may impact your requirements and performance in the QPP.
*Webinar – QPP Year 4: MIPS Alternative Payment Models
Thursday, April 30, 2020 12:30 PM ET
Coming Up:
*May 21 – QPP Categories Year 4: Cost
June 18 – QPP Year 4: Kentucky REC Can Help You Improve Your QPP Performance
*July 16 – QPP Categories Year 4: Promoting Interoperability & Improvement Activities
All QPP Webinars start at 12:30 PM 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 Kentucky REC. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!
Future dates subject to change
WEBINAR MARCH 26: HIPAA SECURITY – FIND VULNERABILITIES BEFORE ATTACKERS DO
Assessing the vulnerabilities of your network and IT assets is essential for understanding the risks facing your organization. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) ranks vulnerability assessment third in its 20 critical security controls for effective cyberdefense (CIS Controls).
“Organizations that do not scan for vulnerabilities and proactively address discovered flaws face a significant likelihood of having their computer systems compromised.” *
What is a vulnerability assessment?
A vulnerability assessment is broken down into two different phases:
- Scanning & diagnosis
- Results assessment
Scanning & Diagnosis: Our IT expert will use a network scanning device to identify potential points of exploitation on a network or computer and identify security holes within that system. The scanner’s repository of vulnerabilities is updated just before every scan to include any newly identified items, and is compatible with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Index, which standardizes the names of vulnerabilities across diverse security products and vendors.
Results Assessment: Once these items are identified, a severity rating is assigned as follows: critical; severe; moderate; or clean. From the severity rating, a mitigation strategy is created to address the most critical items first, and then move down the list in severity level. This mitigation strategy will include information about specific software patches, downloadable fixes and reference content about security weaknesses.
To better facilitate HIPAA compliance in your organization, you should accompany your vulnerability scan with a full Security Risk Analysis and HIPAA Security Education for your staff.
Join our webinar to learn more about these important HIPAA Privacy and Security Topics.
Webinar – HIPAA Security: Find Vulnerabilities Before Attackers Do
Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:00 PM ET
Call 859-323-3090 or email Kentucky REC HIPAA Privacy and Security experts with your questions, or if you want to talk to a security expert to schedule your vulnerability assessment.
Additional Resources:
Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls List
MITRE Corporation’s Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures
*https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/continuous-vulnerability-management/
WEBINAR MARCH 25 – KY MEDICAID PROMOTING INTEROPERABILITY (MU) 2020 STAGE 3 OVERVIEW
In order to successfully meet the objectives of Stage 3 Medicaid Promoting Interoperability, it is crucial for you to be looking at the 2020 requirements.
During the webinar we will review the Stage 3 objectives and the thresholds for each measure. We will provide detailed information regarding the newest measures and the importance of having a 2015 CEHRT.
Let Kentucky REC advisors help you be prepared and successful when tackling Stage 3. We will provide action lists that will guide you through the important next steps to meeting the thresholds for hard to reach measures.
Webinar: KY Medicaid Promoting Interoperability (MU) 2020 Stage 3 Overview for Eligible Professionals
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:00 pm ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about Promoting Interoperability. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
KHIE ANNOUNCES GRANT – PROVIDER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Our partners at the Kentucky Health Information Exchange are excited to announce the launch of their Provider Assistance Program mini-grant opportunity.
In collaboration with the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE) is offering Pharmacies, Eligible Providers (EPs), Eligible Hospitals (EHs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to offset the vendor fees associated with connecting to KHIE.
The Provider Assistance Program was created to help Pharmacies, EPs, EHs and CAHs in rural areas of the state to mitigate the challenges associated with interoperability. The objective is to relieve some of the financial burden a healthcare facility experiences which hinders engagement in Public Health and Clinical Data Registry reporting as well as Health Information Exchange.
Applicants are required to be:
- located in the state of Kentucky
- considered an EP, EH or CAH (as defined by CMS)
- or a licensed pharmacy
If approved, EHs and CAHs may be awarded up to $15,000 and Pharmacies and EPs may be awarded up to $8,000.
Grants will be awarded on a first come first serve basis until all grant funds are depleted. Incomplete applications will not be considered and only one grant will be awarded per business entity.
If interested, please complete the Provider Assistance Program Application in its entirety and e-mail to Brett Brown (brett.brown@ky.gov) with the subject line: Application for the Provider Assistance Program.
Applications can also be found on the KHIE Website.
Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020.
