Paying for Telehealth
A Low-Cost, One-Day Regional Workshop
"New Developments Toward Financing Networks and Reimbursement Services"
Heading into the 21st century, health care institutions have unprecedented
access to new telecommunications as a result of the Federal
Telecommunications Act of 1996. Starting in January, up to $400 million
will be available to health care organizations through a new "Universal
Service Fund" to provide affordable telecommunication rates for rural
health care networks. Everything from ordinary telephone service, to
Internet access, to wireless communications, to higher "T1" connectivity
will be eligible for breaks. Nationwide, funding will be available on a
first-come, first-served basis.
THE FCC IS UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE TO SLOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
DISCOUNTS, MAKING IT VITAL THAT HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS GET UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION SO THAT THEY MAY BENEFIT FROM THESE PROVISIONS.
This workshop will help health care organizations understand the new
federal guidelines, as well as the application process to apply for rural
rates comparable to their urban counterpart. High-level officials of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will take workshop participants
"through the process," answering your questions and helping you understand
how to maximize the opportunity at hand.
Contact: Neal Neuberger, Senior Partner, CPSC, (703) 536-5642
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: For complete program and registration information point to:
http://gmu.edu/departments/chp/paying.htm
Workshop Foci:
* How to apply for new rate discounts under the FCC Universal
Service Fund
* Recent changes in Medicare law regarding payment for
rural-Telehealth services
* How states are starting to pay for Telehealth through
Medicaid and private health insurance
* The latest on available Federal and State funding
opportunities
WHY YOU NEED TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT WORKSHOP:
Qualifying health care organizations need to understand the key components
of the (Senators) Snowe, Rockefeller, Exon, and Kerrey amendment of the
Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 and the Medicare demonstration and
reimbursement provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. These new
laws will have an enormous impact on health care institutions whether they
are using the global Internet, or establishing higher bandwidth
connectivity for two-way interactive video for a range of "Telehealth"
applications including: administration, patient care information,
consultations, public health surveillance, biomedical research, teaching
and training and other health related purposes.
Health care administrators and professionals need to know about
improvements in reimbursement under Medicare, Medicaid and through private
health insurance, including managed care plans. Research-based Telehealth
programs will continue to rely on public-private partnerships forged
through federal and state grant and infrastructure development assistance,
and they will want to know the current status of available
funding.
The workshops will educate network administrators, program planners, lead
clinicians, educators and other appropriate personnel about how health care
organizations may qualify (and apply) for discounted rates under new FCC
Universal Service Fund provisions, and how they may benefit from recently
enacted legislation regarding reimbursement for Telehealth services under
Medicare Part B. Participants will be informed about the states that have
recently adopted innovative Medicaid and private insurance provisions. Up
to date information will be provided on federal and state funding
opportunities including grants, cooperative agreements, and major
state-based infrastructure development assistance programs.
George Mason University Institute for Post Graduate Health Sciences
will be awarding 8 contact hours (0.8) CEU's following completion of
this program.
WHAT ATTENDEES WILL LEARN:
* Which technologies and services are eligible for universal service benefits
* How to calculate potential rate savings under the FCC plan
* How to apply for new connectivity rates
* How the Universal Service Fund will be administered and who to contact
with questions
* How to find service providers you can contact to request bids
* The implications of recent federal Medicare changes for your program
* How states are implementing new Medicaid requirements
* Local, state, and regional infrastructure financing programs
* How and who to contact regarding available contracts, cooperative
agreements, grants, and loans at more than a dozen major federal agencies
WORKSHOP MATERIALS:
Every workshop participant will receive a comprehensive workbook (200+
pages) containing the following materials:
* Complete information regarding the FCC's Universal Service Order, rules
and regulations
* Listings of eligible counties, application forms, worksheets
* Commonly asked questions and answers
* Up-to-date information regarding federal Medicare and state Medicaid law
changes
* Summary of federal agency funding programs, deadlines and recent award
recipients
* Key federal contacts in Telehealth, interagency working groups, and the
Congressional Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Telehealth
SPEAKERS:
A core curriculum has been developed which allows thorough
presentation and discussion of these issues. Federal officials will
be on hand to lead participants through the new telecommunications and
reimbursement laws. Regional panels will focus afternoon sessions on
the status of state and local efforts to access affordable
telecommunications services for their health care institutions.
Participants will include representatives of local Telehealth
networks with experience in these issues, and nationally recognized
policy experts in the field of health care oriented applications of
telecommunications.
A comprehensive workbook will be given to each workshop participant that
allows calculation of potential rate savings under the new
telecommunications law and will include applicable federal legislation,
rules, and orders, relevant state measures, as well as explanatory material
on infrastructure financing, reimbursement, and program funding opportunities.
Workshop Fees:
$150 for Advanced Registration
$175 for late or on-site registrants.
$20 CEU option*
$25 Additional Workbooks
Advance registrations are due 10 days prior to each workshop. All other
registrations are considered late registrations.
*George Mason University Institute for Post Graduate Health Sciences will
award (0.8) CEUs) for completion of this program for an additional $20
processing fee.
Participant Information:
Each registrant must submit a separate registration form. Confirmation
and directions will be mailed prior to the program:
Please print legibly
Name______________________________________________________________
Social Security Number (If you are requesting CEUs)_______________
Organization______________________________________________________
Position__________________________________________________________
Business Address__________________________________________________
City____________________________State_________Zip+4_______________
Phone____________________Fax_____________________Email____________
Hotel Reservation
Date City Hotel Telephone #
Jan. 12 Fairfax, VA Holiday Inn Fair Oaks (703) 352-2525
Jan. 28 Oklahoma, OK Oklahoma City Marriott (404) 879-7032
Feb. 2 Denver, CO Stapleton Plaza Hotel (303) 329-2701
Feb. 7 New Orleans, LA Radisson (800) 824-3359
Feb. 23 Seattle, WA Seattle Marriott, Sea-Tac (206) 241-2000
March 5 Des Moines, IA Des Moines Marriott (515) 245-5500
March 13 Reno, NV Nuggett Hotel (800) 648-1177
March 19 Columbus, OH Holiday Inn Worthington (614) 885-3334
Payment Information:
Please mark your selection
Advance Registration _______ $150
Late or Onsite Registration _______ $175
CEUs Option _______ $20
Additional Workbooks _______ $25
Total Amount $_______
Form of Payment
Select one
_____Check enclosed, payable to Nonprofit Management Associates
_____Charge to my_________VISA _______Master Card
Card Number__________________________________________________
Expiration Date______________
Cardholder Signature____________________________________________
Send completed registration form with payment to:
NPMA, 1555 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20036
Tel: (202) 462-9600 ext. 40
Fax: (202) 462-9043
Workshop Registrar - Email: [log in to unmask]
Conference Sponsors :
These workshops are a collaborative effort of the Center for Public Service
Communications, Non-Profit Management Associates, and George Mason
University Center for Health Policy.
With national participation from:
The FCC and the Rural Health Care Corporation
The Office of Rural Health Policy (DHHS)
The National Rural Health Association
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Regional sponsorship from:
Association of Iowa Hospitals & Health Systems
George Mason University, Center for Health Policy
Colorado Health and Hospital Association
LSU Medical Center
Ohio Hospital Association
Oklahoma Hospital Association
University of Nevada, School of Medicine
Washington State Hospital Association
And, early endorsements from:
American Telemedicine Association
American Medical Informatics Association
Congressional Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Telehealth
Federal Joint Working Group on Telemedicine
Friends of the National Library of Medicine
National Association of Community Health Centers
National Association of County and City Health Officials
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion DHHS
Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Western Governors Association
|
