Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) this February as it recognizes American Heart Month and Black History Month by helping those affected […]
Highlighting Health Disparities During American Heart Month and Black History Month Read More »
Raising awareness about heart health and encouraging healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease.
American Heart Health Month Read More »
February is African American History Month, which sheds light on African American culture and health. Heart disease, diabetes, and stroke affect people of all ethnicities. However, certain groups—including African Americans
African American History Month Read More »
Agency thanks nursing homes whose staff have completed free CMS training, but urges remaining homes to take advantage of this resource CMS NEWS | Today, the Centers for Medicare &
CMS Releases Nursing Home COVID-19 Training Data with Urgent Call to Action Read More »
Stay up-to-date on new resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and local health departments. Topics covered include COVID-19 communication
New Resources on Immunizations and Vaccines Read More »
Check out the latest health equity news, health observances, events, and resources supporting the IPRO QIN-QIO efforts to eliminate health disparities for Medicare beneficiaries. What’s inside? Biden Takes Action to
Health Equity Updates: February Newsletter Read More »
This Learning Toolbox focuses on cultural and linguistic competency and their importance for helping to eliminate disparities in the delivery of quality healthcare. The Toolbox includes a quick primer, and
Cultural and Linguistic Competency Toolbox Read More »
This Learning Toolbox focuses on health literacy as an important determinant of health equity and outcomes. It includes a quick primer on health literacy, and provides links to articles, tools,
Health Literacy Toolbox Read More »
This monthly health observance highlights the importance of educating others on glaucoma. According to the National Eye Institute, over three million people in the United States have glaucoma. This number
Glaucoma Awareness Month: January 2021 Read More »
Stay updated on the latest resources.
New COVID-19 Vaccine Resources Read More »
The Rhode Island Department of Health developed the COVID-19 Close Contact Quarantine Calculator to help you determine how long to remain in quarantine after exposure. What dose close contact mean?
Hi Rhode Islanders, have you had close contact with someone infected with COVID-19? Read More »
Pfizer recognizes that this is a critical time for planning around COVID-19 vaccination efforts. As such, Pfizer is committed to sharing important updates. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine website for US
Training Sessions: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Read More »
With winter weather comes messy walkways and debris. Add in health conditions and you’ve got yourself one hazardous situation. These conditions lead to loss of balance, mobility, and strength for
Fall and Slip Prevention: Winter 2020-2021 Read More »
CMS Memo | December 9, 2020 – CMS posted updates to FAQs and an infographic about coverage and payment for monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. The FAQs include general payment
CMS Guidance for Medicare Coverage of COVID-19 Antibody Treatment Read More »
It’s more important than ever for everyone to do their part to help prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people are getting
It’s Not Too Late to Get the Flu Shot Read More »
Check out the latest health equity news, health observances, events, and resources supporting the IPRO QIN-QIO efforts to eliminate health disparities for Medicare beneficiaries. What’s inside? Mapping Racial and Ethnic
Health Equity Updates: December Newsletter Read More »
To facilitate the efficient administration of COVID-19 vaccines to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) residents, CMS is exercising enforcement discretion with respect to statutory provisions requiring consolidated billing by SNFs as
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy, casirivimab and imdevimab, administered together, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in
According to a report from Trust for America’s Health, the U.S. obesity rate for adults reached 42.4% in 2020, the highest ever recorded, and is based on data from the
Report: The State of Obesity 2020 Read More »
Health literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use health information to make decisions about one’s health. People with low health literacy have increased mortality, worse health outcomes, are
Article: Health Literacy Should Be Valued as a Social Driver of Poor Health Outcomes Read More »
Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing CDC Science & Research | December 2, 2020 – Quarantine can be a
Dec. 2 Update: CDC National Quarantine Guidance Read More »
Clean hands save lives! This awareness week highlights the importance of handwashing—one of the most effective and simple ways to prevent viral infections and improve health outcomes. December is a
National Handwashing Awareness Week: December 6-12, 2020 Read More »
This national awareness week focuses on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. The IPRO QIN-QIO raises awareness about flu risks and encourages everyone to protect themselves and their communities by
National Influenza Vaccination Week: December 6-12, 2020 Read More »
About 1 in every 3 American Indian/Alaska Native older adults, age 65 or older, is at risk for dementia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart health
Supporting Healthy Minds for Wisdom Keepers Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) developed the Addressing the Needs of Older Adults in Disasters web-based training. HHS/ASPR
HHS/ASPR Training to Help Older Adults During a Disaster Read More »
As the pandemic continues, the behavioral health of nursing home residents continues to be a concern. A new survey of nursing home residents by Altarum looked into how residents’ lives
Reducing Loneliness for Nursing Home Residents Read More »
This U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, register for CDC’s FREE online antibiotic stewardship training course, which offers 10 hours of continuing education (CE) to help you improve antibiotic use and protect
Earn Free CE: CDC’s Online Antibiotic Stewardship Training Read More »
CMS Beyond the Policy: Nursing Home Series for Frontline Clinicians and Staff The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is airing the first episode in a series of short
CMS Nursing Home Podcast Series for Front Line Clinicians and Staff Read More »
CMS Memo | November 19, 2020 – Today, in advance of the approaching holiday season, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is urging nursing home staff, residents, and
CMS Urging Nursing Homes to Follow Established COVID-19 Guidelines This Holiday Season Read More »
Rural communities face their own unique challenges when it comes to accessing and receiving quality health care. Approximately 60 million Americans live in rural areas, with nearly every state having
CMS to Celebrate the Power of Rural Read More »
Agency thanks nursing homes whose staff have completed free CMS training, but urges remaining homes to take advantage of this resource CMS Memo | November 18, 2020 – Today, the
CMS Releases Nursing Home COVID-19 Training Data with Urgent Call to Action Read More »
Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety released a new video and suite of resources about infection control and PPE for home care and congregate care workers on the front lines
New infection control and PPE resources for home and congregate care workers Read More »
The article Rapid Implementation of eMOLST Order Completion and Electronic Registry to Facilitate Advance Care Planning: MOLST Documentation Using Telehealth in the Covid-19 Pandemic was posted on the New England
Rapid eMOLST Implementation to Facilitate Advance Care Planning During COVID-19 Pandemic Read More »
CMS will retire the original Compare Tools on December 1. Use Medicare.gov’s Care Compare to find and compare health care providers. In early September, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
CMS Will Retire the Original Compare Tools on December 1 Read More »
This annual observance highlights necessary steps everyone should take to improve antibiotic prescribing and use. Antibiotics save lives, but any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week: November 18-24, 2020 Read More »
The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care (LTC) Program provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process, including cold chain management, on-site vaccinations, and fulfillment of reporting requirements. The program facilitates
Understanding the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program Read More »
In anticipation of the availability of a vaccine(s), for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the American Medical Association (AMA), working with the Centers
COVID-19 Vaccine Codes and PC-ACE Software Update Read More »
Coverage Available at No Cost to Beneficiaries Across Variety of Settings in Health Care System The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that starting November 13, Medicare beneficiaries can
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is recognizing National Diabetes Month in November. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Take Action Against Diabetes Read More »
Every November, American Diabetes Month is observed to sound the alarm about the diabetes epidemic. The IPRO QIN-QIO works to raise awareness about diabetes, honor those that are affected, and
American Diabetes Month Read More »
National Family Caregivers Month, celebrated each November, is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. In November, the IPRO QIN-QIO is celebrating the efforts of family
National Family Caregivers Month Read More »
The Trump Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are delivering on their commitment to foster innovation in Medicaid by providing states with new tools to help beneficiaries
October 30, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new online platform – the Nursing Home Resource Center – to serve as a centralized hub
CMS’ New One-Stop Nursing Home Resource Center Assists Providers, Caregivers, Residents Read More »
October 26, 2020 – More than 9,000 long-term care providers had signed up for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program as of this past Friday, according to the Department
October 30: Deadline for Vaccine Program Sign-Up Read More »
Complete the CMS COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff & Management.
Free Training: Nursing Home COVID-19 Preparedness Read More »
October is National Residents’ Rights Month, an annual event recognizing the respect, dignity and rights to which all residents of long-term care facilities are entitled. The IPRO QIN-QIO is honoring
National Residents’ Rights Month Read More »
September 17, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued revised guidance providing detailed recommendations on ways nursing homes can safely facilitate visitation during the coronavirus disease
CMS Announces New Guidance for Safe Visitation in Nursing Homes Read More »
The independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes released its final report to CMS on September 16. The Commission report was created to conduct an independent review
Report Released: Independent Nursing Home COVID-19 Commission Findings Read More »
Trainings The CMS-CDC Fundamentals of COVID-19 Prevention for Nursing Home Management training series covers 13 topics that your nursing home staff must know to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. These trainings
The COVID-19 pandemic caused healthcare providers to change how they operate to continue providing essential services to patients. It is essential to ensure immunization services are maintained or re-initiated. Immunizations
COVID-19 and Influenza Season 2020-2021 Read More »
August 26, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s healthcare facilities are prepared to respond to the Coronavirus
New training provides education on critical safety measures to keep residents safe August 25, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing an unprecedented national nursing
August 25, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Medicaid Informational Bulletin (CIB) that provides guidance to states on flexibilities that are available to increase
Nursing Home Strategies for COVID-19 Only Isolation of COVID-19 Residents Read More »
Thursday, August 20, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) transitioned the live nursing home infection control trainings
Important CMS & CDC Nursing Home Training Series Change Read More »
August 24, 2-2:45PM EDT Requires Login. You’ll get an email and appointment after registration. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making improvements to help people with Medicare
CMS Webinar on August 24: Medicare Care Compare Read More »
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Calls: August 21-27 Read More »
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will resume routine inspections of all Medicare and Medicaid certified providers and suppliers to improve the safety and quality
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health is honoring National Immunization Awareness Month. Although vaccination rates are low among all adults in the U.S., research shows
August is National Immunization Awareness Month Read More »
Thursday, August 20, 10:30-11AM EDT Our COVID-19 Workshop Series continues on Thursdays, 10:30–11AM. Join us as we discuss pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll cover obstacles and and share
COVID-19 Workshop on August 20: Pain Management in COVID-19 Read More »
Thursday, August 27, 10:30-11AM EDT Starting August 27, our COVID-19 Workshop Series will continue on alternating Thursdays, 10:30–11AM. Join us to learn about the role of social services in nursing
COVID-19 Workshop on August 27: Nursing Home Social Services and COVID-19 Read More »