Overview I.Who We Are II.What We Do III.Telehealth in Louisiana IV.Legislation V.Where We Want to Go

Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health I.Sits within Department of Health and Hospitals under the Office of Public Health II.State Office of Rural Health III.Neutral Convener-Many Partnerships IV.State and Federally Funded

Our Mission To improve the health status of Louisiana residents in rural and underserved areas by working proactively to build community health systems’ capacity to provide integrated, efficient and quality health care services.

Priorities The Bureau provides technical assistance to communities, federally qualified health centers, physician practices, rural health clinics and small rural hospitals to support accomplishing the mission.

Our Commitments Through Partnership Work I.Developing strong community partnerships II.Integrating primary health care services to reduce health disparities in the state III.Supporting effective clinical practices and health care organizations IV.Recruiting and retaining primary health care providers to ensure a sustainable health care system that provides access to all V.Providing valuable health information VI.Promoting relevant state and national health policy

State Office or Rural Health Work Work with Small Rural Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics and other providers and communities serving the Medicaid, Medicare and un and under insured citizens of Louisiana.

The Rural Safety Net In Louisiana there are: 51 Small Rural Hospitals in Louisiana 27 Critical Access Hospitals 127 Rural Health Clinics 157 Federally Qualified Health Centers (serving rural and underserved)

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Development and Sustainability Work with Hospitals on Financial Performance Develop Rural Health Clinics Grant Work Community Development FQHC Development

Telehealth Work House concurrent resolution (HCR) 88 required the creation of the Telehealth Access Task Force (TATF). Sit on the TATF, serve on research committee. Stay current on Federal and State Policy regarding rural health and telehealth services.

Legislation TAFT is working to develop policies that will increase access of patients to services in Louisiana while maintaining safety and quality of a patient visit.

Where We Want to Go Comprehensive Telehealth coverage throughout the state Payment for initiating site (not just rural, not just by Medicare) Hospitals, RHCs, and FQHCs to be not only initiating site for visits but also distance site providers.

Where We Want to Go Parity of coverage for visits done through Telehealth (paid by all insurers) Maximize use of store and forward information as well as remote monitoring.

Contact Information Tracie Ingram, Rural Health Officer Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health Department of Health and Hospitals