State Office of Rural Health
Addressing Healthcare Challenges in Rural Louisiana
The Well-Ahead Louisiana State Office of Rural Health (SORH) integrates population health strategies within rural communities, supports the development and sustainability of rural care facilities, and advances access to care through innovation. At Well-Ahead, we provide support to address rural communities’ unique healthcare needs.
Rural communities are faced with accessibility challenges, a limited number of healthcare providers and health disparities. Well-Ahead acts as an anchor of information and support for rural health professionals, hospitals and clinics and coordinates communication, education, collaboration and innovation among these community leaders to improve the health of Louisiana’s rural residents.
In addition, our Provider Education Network connects rural providers to an ever-growing bank of tools, training and technical assistance needed to effectively serve Louisiana residents.
Request a Mock Survey for Your Rural Health Clinic
Be Prepared to Obtain or Maintain CMS Certification with our practice survey
Survey Preparation Resources
As you prepare for the regulatory compliance surveys, here are some resources to help you obtain or maintain CMS certification . It is important to start acting as if you are a rural health clinic before the inspection.
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Mock Survey
This mock survey is a free service provided through the State Office of Rural Health. It is completed to assist Rural Health Clinics in Louisiana to obtain or maintain CMS certification and prepare for survey.
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Evidence Binder Templates
Use these templates to create an Evidence Binder with current information in preparation for your clinic’s survey.
Know the Numbers for Health in Rural Louisiana
About 15% of Louisiana residents live in rural areas,1 which are disproportionately impacted by poor health outcomes. Residents in these communities are more likely to experience limited access to healthcare, education and income, as well as food, housing and transportation insecurity that contributes to a higher prevalence of heart disease, diabetes,2 obesity3 and tobacco use.4
11%
of adults in rural Louisiana have heart disease (32% higher than the urban prevalence of 8%)5
20%
of adults in rural Louisiana have diabetes, (42% higher than the urban prevalence of 14%)5
43%
of adults in rural Louisiana are obese (21% higher than the urban prevalence of 38%)5
39%
of adults in rural Louisiana use tobacco (12% higher than the urban prevalence of 27%)5
It’s Time for a Change
Well-Ahead works to support rural communities and combat the disparities residents face. The State Office of Rural Health acts as an anchor of information and support for rural health professionals, hospitals and clinics and coordinates communication, education, collaboration and innovation among these community leaders to improve the health of Louisiana’s rural residents.
In addition, our Provider Education Network connects rural providers to an ever-growing bank of tools, training and technical assistance needed to effectively serve Louisiana residents.
Are you located in a Health Professional Shortage Area?
Emergency Preparedness
Before an emergency is declared, it is important to have a plan and process ready to protect your family and community members in Louisiana. As a healthcare professional, trainings, tools and resources are essential to effectively be prepared for the impact of a natural disaster or public health emergency.
Hospital Support Programs
Rural hospitals are an integral part of Louisiana’s rural communities. In addition to providing critical inpatient, outpatient and emergency medical services, rural hospitals are often the economic foundation of communities. Hospital support programs ensure that quality healthcare is available to rural residents.
New Clinic Development
Rural health clinics expand access to primary care services in rural communities. To become a certified Rural Health Clinic, your facility must meet specific eligibility requirements. If your facility is deemed eligible, our team can help you navigate the certification process.
Policy Guidance and Updates
As information in healthcare continues to evolve, Well-Ahead works to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date changes in policy guidance and updates, including information surrounding COVID-19 and vaccine distribution and available support.
Practice Management
Effective practice management processes can ensure that your clinic is running as efficiently as possible. Well-Ahead offers technical assistance and resources that will help you deliver the better quality care while improving your bottom line.
Project ECHO
Project ECHO® is a telementoring opportunity that connects rural health professionals with care specialists on a live, virtual platform. Providers consult with specialists, so patients can remain in the comfort of their community primary care clinic.
Telehealth
Well-Ahead is fueling innovation in rural health. We’ve partnered with TexLA Telehealth Resource Center to support the expansion of telehealth capacity—including effective delivery of services, efficiency, sustainability and patient satisfaction—in our rural communities.
Technical Assistance and Funding Opportunities
Don’t miss out! Check back regularly for information on technical assistance and funding opportunities as they become available.
The Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program
Technical Assistance
The DRCHSD assists leaders and providers in identifying and addressing healthcare needs of local healthcare systems. Selected healthcare organizations, and their communities, receive technical assistance to make system enhancements over multiple years. Eligibility is limited.
Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation Program
Funding Distribution
Rural health clinics may use funds to maintain and increase COVID-19 testing efforts, expand access to testing in rural communities and expand the range of mitigation activities in local communities. Monthly reporting will be required through the RHC COVID-19 reporting portal.
COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund
Funding Opportunity
HRSA will provide claims reimbursement to eligible health care providers at the national Medicare rate for administering Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized COVID-19 vaccines under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or FDA-licensed COVID-19 vaccines underinsured individuals.
Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program (RHCVD)
Resource Distribution
The Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Distribution Program (RHCVD) will distribute COVID-19 vaccines directly to RHCs to increase the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in rural communities.
Citations
1U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, State Data, 2023. https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?StateFIPS=22&StateName=Louisiana&ID=17854
2Harrington et al., Call to Action: Rural Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, 2020. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000753
3Okobi et al., The Burden of Obesity in the Rural Adult Population of America, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8290986/
4Schmidt et al., Disparities in Rural Tobacco Use, Smoke-Free Policies, and Tobacco Taxes, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6613179/#bibr2-0193945919828061
5Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), 2022.