Webinar Dec 14 – QPP Year Six: 2023 Final Rule Overview
On November 1, 2023, CMS released upcoming programmatic changes for Medicare’s Quality Payment Program. This rule includes significant impacts and implications to the Medicare Shared Savings Program for ACOs, major performance category updates, and the future of the this program. Our experts will share an in depth analysis on how this legislation will influence the landscape of value-based care.
QPP Year 6 Webinar: Final Rule Overview*
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022 @ 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!
Dec 8 Annual Conference – New Feature! Recorded Content
Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speaker – In Person and Virtual
Lexington Kentucky, Malone’s Prime Events Center
We are pleased to be hosting our Annual Conference as a HYBRID event to give our participants the option to attend either in person* or virtually. If you are unable to participate on Dec 8, all content will be available to you afterward.
This year, for the first time, registrants will have access to additional content videos on our event website and app.
Pre-recorded content includes:
Telehealth in 2023
QPP 2023 Final Rule
Information Blocking
Practice Transformation
Mental Health Resources for Primary Care
Advantages of PCMH/PCSP
Coverdell Stroke Grant
Kentucky REC Annual Conference Agenda
Thursday, December 8
8:30 —Registration
9:00 — Welcome
9:10 — Quality Improvement - Kentucky REC Quality Experts
Managing Change in Healthcare: From Theory to Reality – Jessica Elliott & Kelly Fountain, Kentucky REC
10:10 — Behavioral Health
Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis – Trudi Matthews, Senior Director of Quality and Value Strategy, and Ginny Gottschalk, MD – UK Healthcare
11:10 — Break/Networking
11:25 — Kentucky Health Information Technology in 2023
11:45 — Lunch/Networking
12:45 — Special Guest Speaker Coach Colene, Be More Consulting
Emerging on the Other Side
2:15 — Break/Networking
2:30 — Medicare Promoting Interoperability for Hospitals
Robin Curnel, Kentucky REC
3:00 — Strong HIPAA Safeguards are the Key for Protection Against Ransomware
4:00 — Wrap-up
Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.
*Kentucky REC will follow current UK HealthCare COVID guidelines for our in person event.
Major Changes to NCQA PCMH and PCSP Programs
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.
Free Mental Health First Aid Training – Sign Up Today!
As part of the Healthy Kentucky Behavioral Health Community of Practice, multiple sessions of Mental Health First Aid training will be offered for free with dates from January through April 2023.
Adult MHFA Flier
HERE is a flyer about Mental Health First Aid.
HERE is a flyer focused on Mental Health First Aid for Adults.
Interested in joining the Healthy Kentucky Behavioral Health Community of Practice? HERE is the Resource Page.
Questions about Mental Health First Aid or the Behavioral Health Community of Practice? Contact us at Kentucky REC or 859-323-3090.
Panel Discussion: Nov 3 Webinar – Mental Health Screening Tools
Webinars and Resources
Behavioral Health Community of Practice
The Behavioral Health Community of Practice, organized by UK HealthCare & Kentucky REC, connects primary care providers, specialists and organizations through learning sessions where behavioral health experts will present best practices, tools and resources to optimize care.
The format of the Community of Practice is monthly one-hour webinars October 2022 through May 2023 from noon – 1 pm. The webinars will include educational sessions, best practice overviews, interactive trainings on tools and resources, and group discussions.
The pandemic has worsened the behavioral health challenges Kentuckians face, and more solutions are needed to address this mounting problem. It’s more important now than ever to share knowledge and best practices among providers along the behavioral health care continuum. In order to address this demand, UK HealthCare and community-based organizations are working together to improve behavioral health in the commonwealth.
The purpose of the Behavioral Health Community of Practice is to:
• Leverage UK HealthCare and community experts to help fill care gaps
• Support primary care providers
• Create a venue for conversation around local needs
• Allow for bi-directional problem solving
Panel Discussion NOVEMBER 3
How to Implement Mental Health First Aid in a Practice Setting
Meet the Panelists
GINNY GOTTSCHALK, M.D.
Interim Chair for the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical Director for Family and Community Medicine Turfland Clinic
Dr. Gottschalk is an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, KY, and completed a residency in Family Medicine at Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She was previously in private practice in Danville, KY, practicing traditional inpatient and outpatient family medicine before returning to UK Healthcare. Dr. Gottschalk currently serves as the Interim Chair for the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Medical Director for Family and Community Medicine Turfland Clinic. She enjoys chronic disease management and caring for families. Dr. Gottschalk also enjoys teaching medical students and residents, as this is what brought her to the University.
Meet the Panelists
PATTY HUGHES
Chief Nursing Officer, UK HealthCare Ambulatory Services
Patty Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC is the chief nursing officer for ambulatory at UKHC. She has overall clinical responsibility for nursing care provided in the ambulatory care settings. As a clinical leader, she has an interest in staff growth and professional development as well as patient and staff satisfaction. Patty has over 39 years of nursing experience, 34 of that at UKHC. She has a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and holds the ANCC nurse executive-board certification credential.
Meet the Panelists
MAREEN DENNIS, MS, LPP
Associate Professor, UK Department of Psychiatry
Mareen Dennis is a Licensed Psychological Practitioner who has been providing psychotherapy and psychological testing in various treatment settings for over 30 years. Her treatment focuses on building strengths and strategies for all whom she serves.
NOVEMBER 2022
Session 2 – Thursday Nov. 3rd
Noon — 1:00 pm ET
Mental Health Screening Tools
- Current Best Practices
- How to Use EHR to Assess and Provide Care to Improve Patient’s Mental Health
- Panel Discussion: How to Address Positive Screenings In Your Practice
Visit HERE for more information and to register for the initial webinars, along with links to other resources and previous webinar recordings.
To learn more, visit THIS UK HealthCare web page.
QUESTIONS? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us: 859-323-3090.
Dec 8! Kentucky REC Annual Conference – Sign Up Today
Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speaker – In Person and Virtual
Lexington Kentucky, Malone’s Prime Events Center
We are pleased to be hosting our Annual Conference as a HYBRID event to give our participants the option to attend either in person* or virtually.
This year, for the first time, registrants will have access to additional content videos on our event website and app.
Kentucky REC Annual Conference Agenda
Thursday, December 8
8:30 —Registration
9:00 — Welcome
9:10 — Quality Improvement - Kentucky REC Quality Experts
Managing Change in Healthcare: From Theory to Reality – Jessica Elliott & Kelly Fountain, Kentucky REC
10:10 — Behavioral Health
Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis – Trudi Matthews, Senior Director of Quality and Value Strategy, and Ginny Gottschalk, MD – UK Healthcare
11:10 — Break/Networking
11:25 — Kentucky Health Information Technology in 2023
11:45 — Lunch/Networking
12:45 — Special Guest Speaker Coach Colene, Be More Consulting
Emerging on the Other Side
2:15 — Break/Networking
2:30 — Medicare Promoting Interoperability for Hospitals
Robin Curnel, Kentucky REC
3:00 — Strong HIPAA Safeguards are the Key for Protection Against Ransomware
4:00 — Wrap-up
Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.
*Kentucky REC will follow current UK HealthCare COVID guidelines for our in person event.
Sign Up Today for Nov 3 – Mental Health Screening Tools
Webinars and Resources
Behavioral Health Community of Practice
The Behavioral Health Community of Practice, organized by UK HealthCare & Kentucky REC, connects primary care providers, specialists and organizations through learning sessions where behavioral health experts will present best practices, tools and resources to optimize care.
The format of the Community of Practice is monthly one-hour webinars October 2022 through May 2023 from noon – 1 pm. The webinars will include educational sessions, best practice overviews, interactive trainings on tools and resources, and group discussions.
Meet the Speakers
Facilitator – Trudi Matthews, Senior Director of Quality and Value Strategy, UKHC
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.
The pandemic has worsened the behavioral health challenges Kentuckians face, and more solutions are needed to address this mounting problem. It’s more important now than ever to share knowledge and best practices among providers along the behavioral health care continuum. In order to address this demand, UK HealthCare and community-based organizations are working together to improve behavioral health in the commonwealth.
The purpose of the Behavioral Health Community of Practice is to:
• Leverage UK HealthCare and community experts to help fill care gaps
• Support primary care providers
• Create a venue for conversation around local needs
• Allow for bi-directional problem solving
Meet the Speakers
Speaker – LINDSEY JASINSKI, PHD, MHA – Chief Administrative Officer Eastern State Hospital/UK HEALTHCARE
Dr. Jasinski is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been with UK Healthcare since 2010, serving in various clinical and leadership roles in the Department of Psychiatry and Eastern State Hospital. Prior to her current role, she served as the Director of Psychology Services and Program Director for Acquired Brain Injury services at Eastern State Hospital, Director of Substance Abuse Treatment Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Psychiatry engaging in clinical work, research, and teaching. She completed a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and Master’s in Health Administration in 2021, both from the University of Kentucky. She has significant experience with program development, directing clinical operations, and integration of research and clinical practice to improve outcomes. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and American College of Healthcare Executives.
Co – Presentation (with Marc Woods): Best Practices in Mental Health Screening
Dr. Jasinski and Dr. Woods will provide a high level overview of commonly used, evidence-based screening tools for mental health concerns, including suicide risk. They will also discuss effective utilization of an EHR to facilitate screening and responses for mental health concerns.
Meet the Speakers
Speaker – MARc Woods, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, UK Healthcare-Behavioral Health
Dr. Marc Woods is a nurse executive with more than 29 years of progressive leadership in behavioral health with an emphasis on suicide prevention strategies, safe workplace strategies, and seclusion and restraint reduction efforts. Dr. Woods is currently the Chief Nursing Officer of Behavioral Health at UK HealthCare and Eastern State Hospital, and he has directed several patient and nurse safety strategies including interventions to reduce nurse suicide.
Dr. Woods serves as a board member for the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention for the city of Lexington, Kentucky, and serves on the mayor’s Substance Use Advisory Council. He received his master’s degree in nursing administration from Eastern Kentucky University and his doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Kentucky, in addition to holding an Executive-Advanced ANCC certification.
Co-Presentation (with Lindsey Jasinski): Best Practices in Mental Health Screening
Dr. Jasinski and Dr. Woods will provide a high level overview of commonly used, evidence-based screening tools for mental health concerns, including suicide risk. They will also discuss effective utilization of an EHR to facilitate screening and responses for mental health concerns.
Meet the Speakers
Speaker – Julie Gosky, M.Ed., LPCC, Regional Director, CCBHC Health Initiatives, New Vista
Julie Gosky is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She earned her Master’s degree in Community Agency Counseling from Cleveland State University and her BS in Psychology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She became passionate about working in the mental health field while volunteering as an undergraduate on a crisis line.
Julie has been with New Vista since 2011, though she had a 2-year break where she served as Clinical Director for an FQHC in Columbus, Ohio. She has worked in a variety of roles at New Vista including Utilization Management, Training and Professional Development, Quality Improvement, and now as Director of CCBHC Health Initiatives. Clinically, Julie has expertise in crisis counseling, assessment, diagnosis, person-centered recovery planning, trauma-informed care, and integrated healthcare. The opportunity to bring whole-person care to central Kentucky is both challenging and amazing!
Presentation: Behavioral Health Screening Options for Primary Care Providers
Ms. Gosky will share tools available to screen for mental health disorders in a primary care setting. She will focus on tools that allow a primary care provider to determine when additional mental health assessments are needed, and how to address those screenings. Discussion will focus on symptoms commonly reported to primary care providers, the evidence-based screening tools available for use, implementation in primary care settings, and actions providers can take to ensure that ensure patients can access mental health care to receive further assessment and treatment.
Meet the Speakers
Speaker – Patty Hughes, Chief Nursing Officer, UK HealthCare Ambulatory Services
Patty Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC is the chief nursing officer for ambulatory at UKHC. She has overall clinical responsibility for nursing care provided in the ambulatory care settings. As a clinical leader, she has an interest in staff growth and professional development as well as patient and staff satisfaction. Patty has over 39 years of nursing experience, 34 of that at UKHC. She has a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and holds the ANCC nurse executive-board certification credential.
Presentation: UK HealthCare Depression Screening and Response
During this presentation we will discuss the journey UK Healthcare has taken across their Ambulatory Clinics in utilizing the Depression Screening tool PHQ-9 in their Electronic Health Record(s) and the corresponding Clinic Quality Measure (Screening for Clinical Depression and Follow Up Plan). Two years ago UK HealthCare implemented a new focused approach for depression screening as part of their quality strategy to improve patient care. This process for screening was recently revised based on survey feedback through The Joint Commission to provide a more comprehensive risk assessment for every patient treated at UK HealthCare. One challenge that was raised during this journey is how to address the needs of patients who screen positive, “Once a patient screens positive for suicide, what is the process for getting them the assistance they need?” We’ll discuss UK Healthcare’s method for following through, and things we’ve learned along the way.
NOVEMBER 2022
Session 2 – Thursday Nov. 3rd
Noon — 1:00 pm ET
Mental Health Screening Tools
- Current Best Practices
- How to Use EHR to assess and provide care to improve patient’s mental health
- Panel Discussion: Addressing Positive Screenings in Your Practice
Visit HERE for more information and to register for the November and December webinars.
To learn more, visit THIS UK HealthCare web page.
QUESTIONS? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us: 859-323-3090.
Webinar Oct 21 – QPP Year Six: Preparing for the Transition to APMs through MVPs
Over the course of the next several performance years, MIPS as we know it is expected to sunset. This change leaves Eligible Clinicians and Groups with one of two options for participation in the Quality Payment Program: MVPs (MIPS Value Pathway) or APP (APM Performance Pathway). Yes, this last one is an acronym nested in another acronym.
Several MVPs have been finalized, with additional pathways proposed for implementation starting with Program Year 2023 and beyond. It is anticipated that even more pathways will develop in the coming years to reflect an array of options for primary care & specialty clinicians to meaningfully participate in the Quality Payment Program.
MVPs are designed as a bridge to Alternative Payment Models and Advanced APMs. Both encourage clinicians and organizations to focus on a population of patients and/or episodes of care, or specific medical conditions. Ultimately both the APP and MVP are pathways that align enhanced quality of care, improved patient outcomes, and healthcare costs to meet CMS’s definition of value.
Our team of advisors will present an overview of finalized and proposed updates to MVPs and APMs. In the webinar we’ll discuss how the KY REC can help you weigh considerations for MVP adoption and develop strategies for APM preparedness.
QPP YEAR 6 WEBINAR: Preparing for the Transition to APMs through MVPs
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Contact the experts at Kentucky REC for all your QPP, MIPS, and APM questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
Join Prediabetes or Diabetes Learning Collaboratives to Improve Patient Outcomes
Kentucky REC, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Public Health, is working with practices statewide on improving health and outcomes for patients with prediabetes or diabetes.
PREDIABETES LEARNING COLLABORATIVE
JANUARY 1, 2023 — DEC 31, 2023
- Receive monthly technical assistance, group monthly calls and quarterly webinars, with monthly reporting
- Educate patients on diabetes prevention, refer interested patients to National Diabetes Prevention Program classes
- Conduct small tests of change using quality improvement methodology
- Financial Support: Receive $1500 quarterly practice payments
DIABETES LEARNING COLLABORATIVE 3
JANUARY 1, 2023 — DEC 31, 2023
- Open to any practices, FQHCs or RHCs and Healthy Living with Diabetes teams
- Attend three learning sessions, and monthly educational webinars
- Do small tests of change (PDSA cycles) to improve outcomes for adult patients diagnosed with diabetes
- Report monthly, attend summative congress
- Receive 4 practice payments of $1,500
HERE is a flyer with all the grant opportunities listed.
HERE is the application for the Prediabetes Learning Collaborative.
HERE is the application for the Diabetes Learning Collaborative.
Contact us at Kentucky REC or 859-323-3090 to learn more.
Oct 6 – First Behavioral Health Community of Practice – Panel Discussion
Webinars and Resources
Behavioral Health Community of Practice
The Behavioral Health Community of Practice, organized by UK HealthCare & Kentucky REC, connects primary care providers, specialists and organizations through learning sessions where behavioral health experts will present best practices, tools and resources to optimize care.
The format of the Community of Practice is monthly one-hour webinars October 2022 through May 2023 from noon – 1 pm. The webinars will include educational sessions, best practice overviews, interactive trainings on tools and resources, and group discussions.
The pandemic has worsened the behavioral health challenges Kentuckians face, and more solutions are needed to address this mounting problem. It’s more important now than ever to share knowledge and best practices among providers along the behavioral health care continuum. In order to address this demand, UK HealthCare and community-based organizations are working together to improve behavioral health in the commonwealth.
The purpose of the Behavioral Health Community of Practice is to:
• Leverage UK HealthCare and community experts to help fill care gaps
• Support primary care providers
• Create a venue for conversation around local needs
• Allow for bi-directional problem solving
Panel Discussion October 6
How to Implement Mental Health First Aid in a Practice Setting
Meet the Panelists
Lindsey Jasinski, Chief Administrative Officer at Eastern State Hospital/Central Kentucky Recovery Center
Dr. Jasinski is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been with UK Healthcare since 2010, serving in various clinical and leadership roles in the Department of Psychiatry and Eastern State Hospital. She has served as the Chief Administrative Officer at Eastern State Hospital/Central Kentucky Recovery Center since October 2021. Previously, she served as the Director of Psychology Services and Program Director for Acquired Brain Injury services at Eastern State Hospital, Director of Substance Abuse Treatment Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Psychiatry engaging in clinical work, research, and teaching. She completed a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and Master’s in Health Administration in 2021, both from the University of Kentucky.
She has significant experience with program development, directing clinical operations, and integration of research and clinical practice to improve outcomes. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and American College of Healthcare Executives.
Meet the Panelists
Katherine Jury, Senior Extension Specialist for Family Health, Mental Health First Aid USA Instructor/Coordinator
Katherine Jury is a Senior Extension Specialist for Family Health at the University of Kentucky, with nine years of experience in the field of community health education. In her current role, she provides evidence-based resources that empower Kentuckians to make healthy choices and improve their quality of life.
Katherine graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science, and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in Family Science. Additionally, Katherine holds Professional Certifications in Trauma and Resilience from Florida State University and is a nationally ranked Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Coordinator.
Meet the Panelists
Kristen Truty,
Prevention Specialist-New Vista
Kristen graduated with her BS in Public Health from Eastern Kentucky University in 2021. She joined New Vista as a Prevention Specialist. In her time in this role, she has received certifications in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention, Prime for Life (Underage DUI Educational Program), and Youth Mental Health First AID. Her professional goals are to promote mental health care, and reduce substance use among Kentuckians, including early intervention in youth substance use education. She is currently attending Graduate School at the University of the Cumberlands, where she is working to obtain a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
OCTOBER 2022
Session 1 – Thursday Oct. 6th
Noon — 1:00 pm ET
Current State of Mental Health & Rollout of Community of Practice (COP)
- Introduction to Mental Health First Aid & Community Support Systems
- Panel Discussion: How to Implement Mental Health First Aid in a Practice Setting
Visit HERE for more information and to register for the first three webinars.
To learn more, visit THIS UK HealthCare web page.
QUESTIONS? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us: 859-323-3090.
We're hiring! Come help @KentuckyREC make meaningful improvements in healthcare across the Commonwealth! #joinourteam #werehiring #transformationmanager https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/436749
