Tennessee Rural Health Clinic (TN-RHC) Network Updates

July 1, 2022, Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) received a HRSA Planning Grant (P10RH45771‐01‐01)  to build capacity to support the state's more than 200 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). With an Advisory Committee of independent and provider-based RHCs and others the group conducted site visits, surveys, and focus groups to explore how RHA can support integrating RHCs into the larger healthcare system. Here's what we've been up to! Activities have been made possible thanks to the generous support of National Rural Health Association, Center's for Disease Control (CDC), and Health and Human Resources Services Agency (HRSA).

September 20th-22nd, RHA sent TN-RHC Advisory Member Candance Garrett with Ascension/Saint Thomas to National Rural Health  Association's RHC conference in Kansas City, MO for the latest in RHC policy and updates. Also pictured, Alicia Calloway, RHA's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Burnett, THA's VP Rural Hospitals, and Jacy Warrell, RHA's CEO.

If you missed hearing from the Tennessee Division of TennCare you can view the recording of the webinar by clicking the link below.

Our guest speakers included: Drew Staniewski, Deputy Director of TennCare; Zane Seals, Chief Financial Officer TennCare; Jacy Warrell, Executive Director of RHA of TN; and Nathan Baugh, Executive Director of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. 

*This event is sponsored by Midwest Health Care, Inc. 

General Preventive Medicine & Public Health Residency Program

The Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency Program (GPM) at Meharry Medical College (MMC) is for individuals who want to pursue a career in Preventive Medicine with a special interest in Maternal and Child Health, with emphasis on the health of underserved and rural communities. Board certification in a Primary care specialty will be enhanced by additional education and experiences in public health and prevention.

Engooden Health becomes Rural Health Clinic
Sustaining Member!

Engooden Health, a company redefining chronic disease management, today announced a partnership with the Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA of TN), granting members access to technology-enhanced chronic care management (CCM) services between provider visits. Engooden will provide association members with the ability to scale personalized interventions for patients living with chronic diseases to help improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Health disparities within rural communities occur due to social determinants, including geographic isolation, socioeconomic status, and reliable food sources. These factors place larger populations of people at risk for having chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Engooden’s proprietary technology, in partnership with RHA of TN, will help bring more ongoing and equitable care to Tennesseans by providing its members with outsourced services to rising risk patients in between office visits. 

RHA of TN hosts, ArchProCoding Virtual Training for RHCs on April 20, 2022: 9am-2pm CST Curriculum specifics include:

•  The “Key Components” associated with E&M code selection
• The differences between the CPT and CMS E&M documentation guidelines
• Discuss the use of utilization benchmarks to target potential risk areas
• Explain the differences between the 1995 and 1997 examination guidelines
• Determining the complexity of medical decision making (MDM)
• The importance to ‘link’ ICD-10-CM codes to E&M services
• Risks associated with certain EHRs solutions (e.g, “wizards”)
• Distinguishing “problem-oriented” from “preventive” E&M services
• What to look for when modifiers are reported with E&M services (e.g., -25)
• How to use a well-constructed audit template to conduct reviews
• Key steps to present audit findings to providers successfully and non-confrontationally

Attendees must be a certified Rural Health Clinic in the state of Tennessee.

The following is from the National Association of Rural Health Clinics
Significantly Increased NHSC Funding Offers Major Provider Recruiting Opportunity for RHCs in Current HPSAs

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has received significantly increased funding this cycle which creates increased opportunity for rural health clinics (RHCs) to qualify for NHSC programs. The expectation for the current cycle of NHSC funding is that sites even in very low HPSAs may be able to qualify for NHSC programs. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit and retain providers in your community that you do not want to miss.

Please see the following links provided by the Department of Health Office of Minority Health for the COVID-19 vaccine invoice reimbursement guidelines for the community-based vaccine activities.  Also, attached please find the invoice template, invoice example and personnel expense template that organizations will need to complete and submit for reimbursement. 

The organization that is submitting for reimbursement will need to be setup as a vendor with the State of Tennessee first.  A blank W-9 form is attached and a hand signature is required.