Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

Bureau of Health Workforce Clinician Dashboards

This resource offers data tools and information on retention and distribution of participants who have completed their training or service in Bureau of Health Workforce programs from 2012-2018. Shows retention rates for National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps alumni and includes filters for various clinician, program, location, and site characteristics. It features statistics with breakdowns by percentages of clinicians currently working in Health Professional Shortage Areas or working in rural communities. Find more information here.

The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy

This project describes successful strategies to recruit and retain behavioral health workers in rural areas, based on phone interviews with state-level experts in rural health and behavioral health. It explores financial incentives, education and training programs, telehealth, licensure or scope of practice changes, innovative state approaches, and policy considerations. Read more here.

Social Determinants of Health in Rural Communities Toolkit

Rural Health Information Hub’s latest toolkit assembles resources and model programs that support rural organizations in implementing programs to address social determinants of health in their communities. Learn how to define, understand, and address social determinants of health and overcome barriers specific to rural areas. Created in collaboration with the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. Read more here.

Visualizing COVID-19 in Appalachia

The COVID-10 Cases in Appalachia map displays the current number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Appalachia and throughout the United States. Higher numbers of cases are marked by larger dots, while smaller numbers of confirmed cases are represented by smaller dots. By clicking on a location, users can see confirmed COVID-19 cases and any related deaths at the county level. This map is automatically updated throughout the day drawing on data collected by the Johns Hopkins University. Due to frequent changes, it is advised that users refresh their browsers often when viewing the map. As of April 2, 11:15 am (ET), there were 5,433 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 314 Appalachian counties, up from 1,686 confirmed cases in 208 Appalachian counties on March 26.

Explore County-level Coronavirus Impact Planning is a searchable data base offering demographic data snapshots of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in relation to hospital bed counts, population and businesses, and categories of people at risk for COVID-19 in each one of the nation’s counties. By hovering over each statistical icon, users can learn more about the supporting data. COVID-19 related data is updated daily

New ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code, U07.1, for COVID-19

In response to the national emergency that was declared concerning the COVID-19 outbreak, a new diagnosis code, U07.1, COVID-19, has been implemented, effective April 1, 2020.

As a result, an updated ICD-10 MS-DRG GROUPER software package to accommodate the new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code, U07.1, COVID-19, effective with discharges on and after April 1, 2020, is available on the CMS MS-DRG Classifications and Software webpage.

This updated GROUPER software package (V37.1 R1) replaces the GROUPER software package V37.1 that was developed in response to the new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code U07.0, Vaping-related disorder, also effective with discharges on and after April 1, 2020, that is currently available on the MS-DRG Classifications and Software webpage.

Providers should use this new code, U07.1, where appropriate, for discharges on or after April 1, 2020.  Refer to the updated MLN Matters Articles for additional Medicare Fee-For-Service information:

For detailed information regarding the assignment of new diagnosis code U07.1, COVID-19, under the ICD-10 MS-DRGs, visit the MS-DRG Classifications and Software webpage. The announcement is located under the “Latest News” heading.

For additional information related to the new COVID-19 diagnosis code, visit the CDC website.