Conducting a Program Evaluation in an RHC with Angie Charlet sponsored by North American Healthcare Management Services

In this webinar, Angie Charlet from Canopy Associates and Mark Lynn from Healthcare Business Specialists with go over the Program Evaluation Requirement for RHCs. This evaluation is required every two years as a condition of participating in the rural health clinic program. We are finding that as the states are beginning to ramp back up their onsite resurveys, many RHCs are receiving condition level deficiencies which could lead to termination of the clinics from the RHC program. Program Evaluation along with Emergency Preparedness makes up nine (9) of the twenty (20) most cited deficiencies in RHCs for 2021 with 6.6% of RHCs being cited for not completing the program evaluation. These are serious deficiencies and take time to correct. The short time frames for developing an acceptable plan of correction (10 days) and implementing the plan of correction (either 30 or 45 days) can create significant stress on an RHC especially as we are still in the midst of a pandemic. This webinar explains the requirements and what you can do to get your clinic in compliance and survey ready regarding the Program Evaluation requirement. This webinar is sponsored by North American Healthcare Management Services.

Please register for Conducting a Program Evaluation in an RHC with Angie Charlet on Feb 10, 2022 1:00 PM EST at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9201201905099738379

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Here are the slides and recording for this session:

• Recording of the Webinar

• Program Evaluation Slides by Angie Charlet

• Program Evaluation Administrative Slides

Program Evaluation Requirements

Biennially RHCs are required to conduct a program evaluation of the RHC program. This evaluation typically includes a review of active and closed medical records, a review, update, and approval of policy and procedures and protocols, a mock inspection of the clinic, a review of the volume and activity of the clinic and other procedures depending on the needs of the RHC.  The goals and objectives of the annual evaluation process are to fulfill the obligation outlined in the Current Federal Register (42 CFR 491.11) and (Appendix G) Interpretative Guidelines of rural health clinic regulations related to program evaluation.  The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether:     

                                                       1.           the utilization of services was appropriate;                    

                                                       2.           the established policies were followed; and       

                                                       3.          any changes are needed.

An evaluation of a clinic's total operation including the overall organization, administration, policies and procedures covering personnel, fiscal and patient care areas must be done at least biennially.  This evaluation may be done by the clinic, the group of professional personnel required under 42 CFR 491.9(b)(2), or through arrangement with other appropriate professionals. 

The program evaluation once complete must be reviewed and approved by the Medical Director, NP/PA/CNM of the clinic, and a community member or someone not on the payroll of the clinic and maintained at the clinic for review by state inspectors or deeming authorities. We conduct a number of these program evaluations biennially for our clients through fee-based engagements (Click here for our brochure). If you would rather conduct the annual evaluation internally we have provided a couple of documents that will help with the process including a template for the report and a mock inspection report.

• Program Evaluation Template (Word)

• Program Evaluation Blank Template (PDF)

• Mock Inspection Blank Template (Word)

• Mock Inspection Blank Template (PDF)

• Program Evaluation Document Request (Word)

• Program Evaluation Document Request (PDF)

We hope these templates are helpful. If you do feel the need for us to come onsite to assist with the annual evaluation, please email Mark Lynn at marklynnrhc@gmail.com or call or text at 423.243.6185.