**Updated October 19, 2009- The next Rural Health Open Door Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2009 from 2pm-3pmET. If you wish to participate, dial 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 34703175. Please see the full participation announcement in the Downloads section below, including how to participate in-person. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums. 

**Updated September 9, 2009- Information Sharing from HHS on H1N1
Call: 1-800-837-1935; Conference ID: 2H1N1
Date: September 14, 2009
Time: 1:30 -3:00 pm, Eastern DS Time
Opening Remarks --- Chair- Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Co-Chairs – CAPT Clare Helminiak, Dr. Sally Phillips, and RADM Ann Knebel
Moderator – Susie Butler, CMS Office of External Affairs
Agenda
The purpose of this information session is to update and inform the provider community about issues around H1N1 preparedness and response, vaccine availability, infection control, and other questions that have come in. We will cover the following topic areas:
1. General Update
2. Vaccines and Antivirals
3. Special Populations
4. Healthcare System Surge Capacity
5. Infection Control and Personal Protective Equipment
Submit questions in advance: We invite you to submit questions now at: H1N1.listening@hhs.gov
Please note – we know that we cannot respond to each individual email question. Submitting questions prior to the call will allow us to address as many questions as possible.
Helpful websites, should you have questions:
• www.flu.gov
• www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu
• http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm100228.htm -- information on antivirals
• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6539.pdf -- CMS billing information
• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/Downloads/Medicare_FFS_Emergency_Qs_As_082609.pdf --Information for Medicare Fee-for-Service Providers
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All callers, please dial: 1-800-837-1935 and use Conference ID 2H1N1.
Dial in at least 10 minutes prior to start of the call. Inform the operator of the conference title and conference ID number. To make conferencing adjustments from your phone, follow these key commands. You will be in listen-only mode during the call.
On a touchtone telephone keypad...
Press (*) & 0 to reach the Operator
Press (*) & 4 to equalize your volume

If you cannot participate on September 14, access the Encore feature 2 hours after completion of the call on September 14: please dial (800) 642-1687 and enter Conference ID 2H1N1. This access will expire March 14, 2010.
You can also still access the August 20 call, using the Encore feature, by dialing (800) 642-1687, and entering Conference ID H1N1.

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Rural Health Open Door Forum Overview 

The Rural Health ODF addresses Rural Health Clinic (RHC), Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) issues, as well as some inclusion of other questions and concerns that occur in clinical practice pertaining to other CMS payment systems that also extend into these settings. Topics that frequently arise on this forum often deal with payment & billing for services subject to Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and/or Physician Shortage Area (PSA) status, cost report clarifications, classifications for & qualifications of rural provider types, and the many special provisions being implemented for improving rural health in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, quality program initiatives, and other related areas are also included in the forums.

Downloads
Tuesday, November 3, 2009- Rural Health Open Door Forum Announcement (PDF, 24KB) Thursday, August 20, 2009- Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response (PDF, 24KB) CMS Rural Health Coordinators Updated May 2009 (PDF, 24KB) Medicare Billing Information Chart for Rural Providers, Suppliers & Physicians (PDF, 296KB) Carrier/FI Directory (PDF,338KB)
Related Links Inside CMS
Rural Health Open Door Forum Mailing List Sign-Up CMS Rural Health Center Details for Post Acute Care Payment Reform Demonstration (PAC-PRD) CMS Survey & Certification Policy Memos to States and Regions HPSA/PSA (Physician Bonuses) State MMA Website Swing Bed Information
Related Links Outside CMS
Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series (Sponsored By HRSA) Government Printing Office Federal Register Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Product Ordering Page

Page Last Modified: 10/19/2009 11:48:24 AM
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