The 30th Annual Conference of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee is set to bring a dynamic range of educational opportunities to its members. This year, the Association introduces new tracks designed to address the evolving needs of rural healthcare. Attendees from rural hospitals, rural health clinics, school health programs, substance use disorder treatment, maternal health, and public health sectors will find dedicated sessions tailored to their fields. These sessions, taking place on the first morning of the conference from 8 AM to 11 AM, will provide an engaging platform for professionals to learn, collaborate, and advance strategies to improve healthcare in rural communities.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Pre-Conference Schedule
More pre-conference sessions too come! - Draft Agenda here!
8:00-11:00 am - Coordinated School Health
Building Stronger Schools: A Hands-on Approach to Coordinated School Health Implementation
Presenters: Melisa Fuhrmeister, Tennessee Department of Education
This session will provide an overview and updates on Coordinated School Health (CSH) and how CSH benefits all members of the whole community. CSH tools, strategies, current data, accomplishments, and success stories will be shared to strengthen the foundation of a student-centered approach to health and learning.
Objectives:
• Expand knowledge of CSH and the effective approach of connecting health and learning.
• Identify how CSH supports the Tennessee Department of Education’s Student Readiness strategic priority through aligned support and resources targeted to reduce barriers to learning and success.
• Identify tools and resources for addressing student health and wellness and increasing the commitment of all partners in ensuring positive education and health outcomes.
8:00 – 11:15am - Critical Access Hospitals *This session is reserved for Critical Access Hospitals Only*
8:00-11:00 am - Rural Health Clinics
Rural Health Clinics Compliance Readiness: RHC Survey Tips and Strategies
Presenter: Kate Hill, The Compliance Team
Description: Join the Compliance Team as they teach Rural Health Clinics about compliance readiness. One of the hardest parts of being an RHC is the need to know the ins and outs of being ready for your clinic to be surveyed. We are here to help you learn and navigate the process.
Objectives:
• Learn about the most commonly seen deficiencies found in RHC surveys.
• Dive into tips to prevent the common deficiencies.
• Discover methods to stay compliant.
RHC Medicare Billing Basics with 2024-25 Update
Presenter: Patty Harper, InQuiseek Consulting
Description: RHC Medicare Billing Basics with 2024-25 Update
This session will explore the basics of RHC reimbursement and billing basics in addition to giving a billing update based on recent rule-making and CMS guidance. The content will be applicable to RHC newbies and experienced billers alike. Topics will also include telehealth and care management topics. Participants can expect an interactive presentation with clinical scenarios and claim examples.
Objectives:
• Understanding the importance and procedure of data collection.
• Exploring the basics of RHC reimbursement and billing.
• Navigating telehealth and care management billing.
Emergency Preparedness (EP) for RHCs
Presenter: Kate Hill, The Compliance Team
Description: Join the Compliance Team in a conversation on Emergency Preparedness for Rural Health Clinics across the state of Tennessee. This session will provide a comprehensive guide on how to handle emergencies before they take place and the importance of after-action reporting while staying in compliance.
Objectives:
• Understanding Emergency Preparedness for Rural Health Clinics.
• Navigating CMS Core Elements of Emergency Preparedness.
• Risk assessment, planning, and testing components of after-action reports.
8:00-11:00 am - Substance Use Disorder and Behavioral Health
Policy Updates and Best Practices in Behavioral Health
Presenter: Mary Linden, TAADAS and Tony Jackson, Department of Mental Health Substance Use
Description: This session will provide mental and behavioral providers with relevant updates in state prevention, treatment, programs. Participants will receive policy updates, information on how to coordinate care between various provider types and provide opportunities for networking and peer learning.
Objectives:
• Teach providers about the current programmatic updates surrounding statewide prevention and treatment.
• Inform individuals about how to coordinate care between different provider types.
• Provide a space for learning and open dialogue through peer-to-peer conversations.
8:00-11:00 am Public Health
Addressing Social Drivers of Health through Technology
Presenter: Emily Keeton and Wendy Stewart, Regional Resource Liaisons, Rural Health Association of Tennessee
Description: Almost 1 in 5 Americans live in rural communities, but many face barriers to accessing care. More limited access to resources and greater distances required to travel to healthcare providers can make it difficult for patients to receive care. It’s time to take action to advance health equity for rural communities.
Objectives:
• How organizations are addressing rural needs through targeted interventions in rural areas.
• How Community Organizations can build trusted community networks and partnerships. We will also review the role of community organizations as pillars within the social care ecosystem.
• The positive impact of bringing together healthcare and social care via digital, interoperable tools.
8:00-11:00 am Behavioral Health
Topic: The Roaring Train: The Syndemic of HIV, HCV, SUD, and Workforce Development in Appalachia
Presenter: A. Toni Young Community Education Group
Description: The Community Education Group (CEG) is leading a promising model through the Community Health and Mobilization Prevention Services (CHAMPS) program. This program trains Community Health Workers (CHWs) to fill gaps in care and link rural residents, including those impacted by SUD or with lived experience, to essential HIV and HCV services. By partnering with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers, CHWs also engage in prevention and testing initiatives, helping to break the cycle of untreated HIV and HCV that is prevalent in these regions. CEG’s strategy promotes collaboration across sectors to integrate health services with economic solutions, addressing both the public health crisis and employment challenges in Appalachia.
Objectives:
• Be able to identify and explain the intertwined health and economic challenges in Appalachia, including the impacts of substance use disorder, HIV, and viral hepatitis on rural communities
• Will evaluate the Community Health and Mobilization Prevention Services (CHAMPS) program's model, assessing how the training of Community Health Workers (CHWs) facilitates the integration of healthcare services with workforce development to address substance use and infectious disease outbreak
• Will develop actionable strategies for fostering collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and economic development initiatives, aimed at improving health outcomes and economic resilience in Appalachia
Registration
Register for RHA's 2024 Annual Conference on November 20th-22nd, 2024 at the Marriott Downtown Knoxville here.