We’ve added the latest issue of our patient newsletter, Network Consumer News, to the Network 16 website. This issue is on “Staying Healthy: Medicare’s Preventive Services,” with supplementary articles on Vaccinations and news about goings-on at Network 16. We also include a summary of what Networks can do for patients, as well as a feedback form. Find the current Network Consumer News issue, along with the archive of earlier issues, at https://www.nwrn.org/patients-a-family/ptedres/ncn.html .
CMS is working on implementation of MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (CHIP is the Children’s Health Insurance Program). They are proposing to integrate all clinician payments into two categories, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System or MIPS, and the Advanced Alternative Payment Models or APMs. For a general description of their Proposed Rule process, see https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs/Quality-Payment-Program.html .
CMS is soliciting comments on MIPS and APMs by June 27, 2016, on Patient Relationship Categories and Codes by August 13, 2016, and on other details later in August; see https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs/MACRA-Feedback.html . They are presenting a series of webinars about their MACRA Proposed Rule on June 1, 8, 15, 17, 22, and 24. For more details and to register for these, see https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs/Quality-Payment-Program-Events.html . The last-named web page also has links to recordings of previous MACRA webinars.
CMS has invited applications for dialysis providers to convert to the Comprehensive ESRD Care (CEC) form of organization, which tests and evaluates new ways to improve patient-centered coordinated ESRD care. Participants will form ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) composed of dialysis facilities, nephrologists, and other related healthcare providers. Applications are due by July 15, 2016 for ESCOs beginning service January 1, 2017. For more information on ESCOs, see https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/comprehensive-ESRD-care/ .
The NRAA is presenting a “Roadmap to Integrated Kidney Care” that will help potential applicants understand the ESCO process, beginning with a webinar June 10, 2016, and continuing with an in-person workshop in the Chicago area June 23-24, 2016. The workshop will include a discussion led by members of the thirteen already-operating ESCOs, who have experience with the application process. Registration is required for the webinar and workshop. For full details and registration, see http://www.nraa.org/index.php/component/content/article/97-webinars/645-roadmap-to-integrated-care .
Registration is now open for the AAKP National Patient Meeting, to be held September 23-25, 2016 in Nashville TN. Three major themes at this year’s Convention will be
Eight continuing Education credits are available for social workers, dietitians, and registered nurses. Scholarships, covering only the conference fees, are available to patients, but you must apply before July 31, 2016. For more information, the conference brochure, registration, and a scholarship application, see https://www.aakp.org/community/programs-events/aakp-national-patient-meeting .
On June 4, 2016 the UCLA Kidney Education Enhancement Program (UKEEP) will present a workshop on Living Kidney Donation. The event will be moderated by UCLA Living Kidney Donor Program Medical Director Dr. Anjay Rastogi and Transplant Nephrologist Dr. Mohammad Kamgar. Dr. Amy Waterman will speak about educational aspects of living kidney donation, and past donors will share their experiences. This is a free event that is open to the general public. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a living kidney donor, this is the program you would like to attend. It will be held from 1-4pm PDT at the UCLA Medical Center Conference Center, 1250 16th Street in Santa Monica. RSVP to (800) 516-5323 as soon as possible. For more information, see https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/PM/UKeep0516.pdf .
The Oregon Patient Safety Commission will present a one-day training course on Avoid Band-Aid Solutions: Strengthening Adverse Event Investigations on June 17, 2016 in Portland OR. The training helps healthcare providers identify root causes, analyze underlying systems to determine where changes might reduce risk, and hone skills at developing strong, system-level action plans that will ensure similar adverse events can be prevented in the future. To find out more and register, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/avoid-band-aid-solutions-strengthening-adverse-event-investigations-tickets-20020369464 . OPSC will provide 5.6 contact hours
ASN will hold this year’s Kidney Week in Chicago November 15-20, 2016. The deadline to submit an abstract is June 8, 2016; see http://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/2016/cfa.aspx for more information. Registration opens June 15. Travel Support Applications may be submitted between June 15 and July 20. For information about Kidney Week in general, see http://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/ .
