Attention: CAH EHR Survey!

HIMSS Analytics would like to collect data regarding the challenges that critical access hospitals face in implementing electronic health records to achieve meaningful use.

Click HERE to complete this important survey!

This brief survey focuses on the following topics:

• challenges your hospital is experiencing related  to electronic health record implementation (e.g. access to capital, IT workforce, and broadband),
• participation in Federal and State broadband assistance programs,
• current and planned Health Information Technology capabilities, and
• internet access, speed, and monthly costs.

The results of this survey will be used for Federal programs to support enhanced outreach, to better understand the needs of critical access hospitals, and to assess the effectiveness of current health IT programs and grants.

Upon completion of the survey, HIMSS Analytics will send a document referencing Federal broadband funding opportunities designed specifically to fund projects that improve health and development in rural areas by increasing access to internet technologies. If you have any questions, please contact Patti Harris, Senior Director, Data Collection and Quality at patti.harris@himssanalytics.org.

Important News for CRHC CAHs and Hospitals Attesting for Medicaid EHR Incentives

Colorado Medicaid (HCPF) has extended the sixty day deadline after the end of the 2012 federal fiscal year for submission of either AIU or 90 day attestation. The new deadline is December 29, 2012. The attestation MUST BE submitted by this date which provides a 30 day additional grace period. Some of our CAHs have been anxiously awaiting the ability to submit their 90 day MU reporting for Medicaid and this will be welcome news since the attestation site is still not ready to accept 90 day reporting. A few of our CAHs have waited to submit their Medicaid AIU for 2012 until this week and they too will have a grace period. If you have questions, please contact our Senior Advisor David Ginsberg at dg@coruralhealth.org.

USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program

Community Programs, a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs, is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area. Community Programs administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Grant Program, and the Rural Community Development Initiative.

Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments. Loans and guarantees are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as to non-profit corporations and tribal governments.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through USDA-RD field offices. Read more about the grant program here.

CROP Applications Due May 16th

Colorado Rural Outreach Program (CROP) grant money can be used to recruit new healthcare professionals or retain the ones already on your staff by repaying portions of the healthcare professional’s educational loans, or by giving a retention bonus if all educational loans are paid off. CROP currently offers two grant cycles per year as funds are available, in the spring and the fall.

Applications are currently being accepted for the spring grant cycle. Applications MUST be postmarked by May 16th, 2011 to be considered for funding.

Please download the application packet and coversheet online. Please fill out, and save, the coversheet in Microsoft Word. You may submit your application via email, or postal mail. If submitting via email, please make the narrative and all attachments ONE inclusive document. The coversheet may be separate. Please send your CROP application to:

Attn: Grants Manager
Colorado Rural Health Center
3033 S. Parker Rd., Suite 606
Aurora, CO 80014
ep@coruralhealth.org
Main: 303.832.7493 x 234
Fax: 303.832.7496

For more information on the CROP program and to see if your organization is eligible, please click here. For questions, contact Erica Petramala at ep@coruralhealth.org.