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.
UK College of Public Health Diabetes Survey – Deadline May 23
On behalf of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, the Kentucky Regional Extension Center cordially invites you to participate in a survey to learn more about how individual providers, clinics, and hospitals collaborate with community partners to connect patients with local resources in the state of Kentucky.
This survey is open to clinicians, administrators, and other healthcare professionals to share feedback on the current state of involvement in patient connectivity with community-based organizations.
A $25 electronically issued Visa gift card will be issued to participants who complete the survey.
SIMPLY CLICK ON THIS LINK. That will take you directly to the survey. ALL SURVEY RESPONSES MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 23, 2025.
If you have any questions or comments about the survey, contact Rachel Hogg Graham, DrPH (rachel.hogg@uky.edu or 859-218-0029) or Mary Lacy, PhD (mary.lacy@uky.edu or 859-562-1126).
Contact us at Kentucky REC with any questions. We’re here to help: 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.
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.
QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program – Data Submission Window Open
The Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) System is now open and accepting calendar year 2024 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program data submissions and attestations from eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals.
The data submission deadline for the CY 2024 requirements, including eCQM data, has been changed from February 28, 2025 to Friday, March 14, 2025.
As a reminder, hospitals are required to:
- Report data using the ONC Health Information Technology certification criteria to meet the certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) requirement. Get your ID # from the Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL).
- Successfully submit four calendar quarters of data for six eCQMs:
- Three self-selected eCQMs from the CY 2024 Available eCQMs Table
- Three CMS-selected eCQMs: Safe Use of Opioids-Concurrent Prescribing, Cesarean Birth (PC-02), and Severe Obstetric Complications (PC-07)
- Submit web-based measure data for any continuous, self-selected 180-day EHR period within the calendar year.
Note: Failure to report at least a “1” for all required measures with a numerator or reporting a “No” for a Yes/No response measure will result in a total score of 0 points for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program.
- Earn a minimum total score of 60 points
- Complete the following requirements by attesting “Yes” to both
- Acting to Limit or Restrict the Compatibility or Interoperability of CEHRT
- ONC Direct Review
- Complete the following measures under the Protect Patient Health Information Objective by attesting “Yes” to both
- SAFER Guides
- Security Risk Analysis
- Submit data for the following measures under each objective below:
- Electronic Prescribing Objective
- e-Prescribing
- Query of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
- Health Information Exchange Objective (Participants must select one of the three reporting options below)
- Report on both the Support Electronic Referral Loops by Sending Health Information measure and the Support Electronic Referral Loops by Receiving and Reconciling Health Information OR Report on the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Bi-Directional Exchange OR Report on the Enabling Exchange Under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA)
- Provider to Patient Exchange Objective
- Provide Patients Electronic Access to Their Health Information
- Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange (A level of active engagement is required for each measure below)
- Syndromic Surveillance Reporting
- Immunization Registry Reporting
- Electronic Case Reporting
- Electronic Reportable Laboratory Result Reporting
- Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) Surveillance
- Voluntarily submit data for the following optional measures/requirements (Select One):
- Clinical Data Registry Reporting
- Public Health Registry Reporting
- Electronic Prescribing Objective
Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
