TIP OF THE WEEK
Schedule a mobile mammography unit at your facility
In collaboration with mobile mammography units throughout Ohio, Ohio KePRO, Ohio’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, helps women in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, retirement communities, and continuum of care organizations in the state have a mammogram delivered to their doorstep.
With the goal of providing more mammograms to older women, Ohio KePRO acts as a resource agent and coordinator for both the interested care center and the mobile mammography unit. After a date and time for screening are established, Ohio KePRO provides the care center with:
- Support services and materials for hosting a pre-event educational awareness program
- Statistical data about Medicare beneficiaries eligible for a mammogram
- Materials and instructions for marketing the event, coordinating appointments, and making the day a special one for all parties involved
There is no cost to care centers that establish a minimum number of appointments for the service – usually 10 to 12 registrants for a half-day of mammography screenings. Each mammography service bills insurance companies, offers financial assistance, prepares a schedule, and sends educational/promotional materials to the event host.
“The service is very convenient for the care center,” said Kathleen Korosi, MPA, Quality Improvement Project Coordinator at Ohio KePRO. “And in addition to showing their support of preventive care for residents and staff members, this event is an easy, convenient way for the centers to open their doors to the surrounding community and, in essence, market themselves as caring healthcare providers.”
All of the mobile unit services meet the strict federal guidelines for quality. Women can make a personal appointment for a mammogram on the screening day without a physician prescription, but they must provide the name of the primary care physician to whom the results should be sent. However, due to the portability of service, women must be able to stand without assistance for 10 minutes and follow the instructions of a radiology technician.
Additionally, screening mammograms are meant for women without symptoms of breast cancer. Women who do not meet these requirements can still schedule a mammogram with their primary care physician or in the radiology department of their local hospital.
For more information about the program, contact Kathleen Korosi by e-mailing her at kkorosi@ohqio.sdps.org or by calling 1.800.385.5080.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Quick Reference Information: Medicare Immunization Billing (PDF)
A two-page reference document provided by CMS’ Medicare Learning Network.
IN THE NEWS
MAJOR STRUCTURAL REFORM OF HEALTH CARE NEEDED TO MEET GROWING NEEDS OF OLDER AMERICANS
December 6, 2006 - - Senior Journal, TX - - The U.S. healthcare system is not meeting the needs of senior citizens and a new policy report by the International Longevity Center-USA calls for major reforms to make it "proactive, rather than reactive" to meet the special -- and mostly unmet needs -- of older adults in an aging population. The report focuses on eight areas of concern.
Redesigning Health care for an Older America, drawn from a consensus conference with top health experts and leaders, recommends a complete overhaul and rethinking of a system heralded by the implementation of Medicare 40 years ago. Read More >>
OTHER INDUSTRY EVENTS
CMS Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum
January 9, 2007 2:00 p.m., Dial: (800) 837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 9382153
Teleconference: About the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign
January 10, 2007, 1:00-2:00 Dial-in: (800) 895-3606 Conference ID: KePRO
- What is the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign and who supports it?
- Why should your nursing home join?
- How does this campaign work with initiatives like Quality First and the Nursing Home Quality Initiative?
- Questions and answers
Teleconference: Ohio Immunization Partners for Healthy Adults
January 18, 2007 1:00-2:00 p.m. Please call Liz Simpson at 1.800.385.5080 for more information.
Teleconference: Support for Nursing Homes in the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign
January 31, 2007, 1:00-2:30
Alzheimer’s Association Training Events
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses
Ohio Health Care Association Events
An archive of The Nursing Home Weekly Update is available on our Web site. Click here >>
