Mississippi Rural Health Association upcoming events

On-Demand: Breaking Down Silos in Your Clinical Revenue Cycle (February 16, 2022)

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:00:00 GMT

This webinar examines how organizational silos can negatively impact the clinical revenue cycle, leading to inefficiencies, delayed reimbursement, and missed revenue opportunities for rural and community hospitals. Participants will explore strategies for improving communication and collaboration across departments, creating streamlined workflows, and strengthening coding and billing processes to enhance financial performance. The session also highlights practical approaches to operational transformation and the use of technology to support a more integrated, efficient, and sustainable revenue cycle.

On-Demand: RHC Billing for Independent & Provider-Based Clinics Webinar (June 29, 2022)

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:00:00 GMT

RHC Billing for Independent & Provider-Based Clinics Webinar

On-Demand

Join the association and Healthcare Revenue Cycle as we explain the differences between provider-based and independent rural health clinics.

Key Learning Objectives Include:

Definitions
Provider-Based Criteria
Billing & Reimbursements
Offsite Locations

On Demand Webinar: Front Desk Tips - Setting Them Up For Success (October 20, 2022)

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Front Desk Tips: Setting Them Up For Success

On Demand Webinar

Join Sharon Turner to learn how to increase productivity within your front desk staff. This Webinar includes best practices for collecting payments at TOS, improving accuracy in entering patient data and educating patients on their financial responsibilities. Learn how to improve and develop your communication and customer service skills.

About the Speaker:

Sharon Turner - EdD, CPC, CMC, CMIS, CHI, CEHRS, CMAA, CBCS, AHIMA-Approved CDI & ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer.

Sharon is an accomplished health care revenue cycle information management consultant and educator. She has more than 20 years of experience including federally qualified and Rural Health Clinics.

On-Demand Webinar: Unlocking Better Healthcare is Within Reach: Integrated Remote Care Management for Rural Health Clinics (October 03, 2023)

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Webinar: Unlocking Better Healthcare is Within
Reach: Integrated Remote Care Management
for Rural Health Clinics

Now available On-Demand

Longstanding advocacy seems to have paid off, and the awaited change is on the 2024 horizon -- CMS may finally recognize Remote Patient Monitoring as a necessity of quality and access for RHCs. CMS’s Proposed Rule expresses intent to provide practitioners with maximum flexibility when selecting the appropriate combination of Care Management services.

Will there still be opportunities to maximize HRSA grant dollars for RPM? Will the “16 days of data” mandate stay in effect? Which codes can be billed concurrently? For now, there are more questions than answers, but one thing rings true: rural health stakeholders have a can't miss opportunity to drive reimbursement, expand care, and deliver quality.

Join MD Revolution’s Paul Huffman and Azalea Health’s Doug Swords in a candid conversation about how your clinic can model integrated remote care programs to realize this value, while properly enabling today’s technology to stay ahead of the curve.

Key takeaways from the Webinar:

Nuances of G0511 and how to navigate the diversification of revenue streams
How existing CCM programs with connected devices can seamlessly transition to this next chapter, and maintain their competitive advantage
How to take the workload (and the risk) out of managing multiple remote care programs together
How tailored technology solutions can help rural health systems overcome current barriers and the integrated workflows that define program success

For those who missed the Sept. 11^th deadline to voice opinions and concerns to CMS, the next three months are about carrying the momentum of the conversation. Being part of the discussion on Oct. 3^rd is exactly where you should be. Hope to see you there.

About the Speakers

Paul Huffman

VP of Sales & Business Development, MD Revolution

Paul manages MD Revolution’s Medicare Fee-for-Service Programs with nearly 20 years’ experience as an accomplished healthcare executive working within outpatient clinics, large health systems, and multi-specialty practices. Experienced in sales and company growth, Paul leads the identification, development, and execution of new business opportunities to expand our footprint within the marketplace and drive business results. Paul is the former Co-Founder and President of Falcon Care, LLC where he grew the organization into a leader in care management with the implementation of onsite preventative service programs within outpatient centers.

Douglas Swords

SVP of Revenue Cycle Management, Azalea Health

Co-founder of Azalea Health, Douglas Swords helms the company’s back-office Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) service division, driving bottom line growth for Azalea clients. Swords brings over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, specializing in management and scaling of RCM operations for medical providers and facilities of all sizes. He holds a Finance degree from Valdosta State University.

On-Demand Webinar: Credentialing & Payor Enrollment (March 27, 2024)

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Webinar: Credentialing & Payor Enrollment
This webinar is now available on-demand!

Join Amy Fajardo from MedCycleSolutions as she provides an in-depth look at the process of Credentialing and Payor Enrollment.

Key Objectives:

Defining Credentialing vs Payer Enrollment
Documents needed for Credentialing & Payer Enrollment
CAQH Overview
I&A/PECOS Overview
MCC Overview (for MN providers)
Tracking Methods - excel vs online platforms
Modio Overview
Completing Applications
Background Checks, Validating Licensure
Follow-up Best Practices

Eligible for one AAPC CE

About the Presenter:

Amy is a valued member of MedCycleSolutions. In her role as client manager, she effortlessly manages multiple clients, as well as our internal staff to ensure that our clients receive the very best of MedCycle.

Amy has over 25 years of experience as a medical billing and credentialing professional. She has a vast range of knowledge in all aspects of Revenue Cycle Management, and Provider Contracting and Credentialing. Amy has worked alongside physicians in all stages of their practice from startup, through growth and sale. Amy has extensive experience in Medical Administration, Provider Education, Contracting and Credentialing, and Billing Compliance. Amy is adept at building custom workflows for specific practice needs and educating staff on the tolls and processes they need to know to successfully do their jobs.

Webinar: Roots & Remedies - Tackling Public Health at the Source (August 20, 2025)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:00:00 GMT

About

Join us for Roots & Remedies: Tackling Public Health at the Source, a dynamic webinar exploring the root causes of pressing public health issues—including lead exposure, STDs, maternal health disparities, and the opioid crisis. This session goes beyond the symptoms to examine the social determinants and systemic factors fueling these challenges. Experts will share evidence-based strategies that are driving real change in communities across the country. Discover how innovative, science-backed interventions are healing communities from the ground up.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the underlying social and environmental drivers of lead exposure, STDs, maternal health challenges, and opioid misuse.

Explore evidence-based strategies and public health responses that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing these issues.

Understand how to apply community-level and policy-focused solutions to promote lasting health for all Mississippians.

On-Demand: Payor Contracting Strategy and Revenue Cycle Best Practices (December 31, 2025)

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Presenter
Bruce Shepard, Chief Revenue Officer, Payrhealth

Rural hospitals today face significant cash flow and revenue cycle challenges, primarily due to a combination of low patient volumes, high rates of uninsured or underinsured patients, and reliance on government payers along with shrinking yields and margin on commercial payor contracts. These factors lead to tighter margins, making it difficult for rural hospitals to maintain financial stability. Additionally, many rural hospitals struggle with outdated billing systems, limited staff resources, and complexities in navigating regulatory requirements, all of which can result in delays in billing and payment collections. The cumulative effect of these challenges threatens the financial viability of rural hospitals, impacting their ability to provide essential healthcare services to their communities.

Webinar Objectives

Overview of key components of hospital revenue cycle process
Review of top trends and challenges impacting rural hospital's cash flow
Actionable strategies for rural hospitals to improve their cash flow
Showcase of PayrHealth's solution and successes
How to create a strategy for your payor contract negotiations
How to use contract negotiations to address your hospital's biggest challenges with payors.
How to get past "NO" in Payor negotiations.

2026 Mississippi Rural Health Golf Tournament (November 11, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The State’s Premier Event for Rural Health Professionals

The event will kick-off with lunch at noon and shotgun start at 1:45 p.m.

This registration page is only for those who wish to register for the golf tournament and not for the full Mississippi Rural Health Conference. Click here to view the full conference registration.

31th Annual Mississippi Rural Health Conference - Sponsor Registration (November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

The State’s Premier Event for Rural Health Professionals

The Mississippi Rural Health Association invites you to join us for the 31st Annual Mississippi Rural Health Conference, November 12–13, 2026, at the Sheraton Flowood Hotel and Conference Center, with a special pre-conference workshop and golf tournament on November 11.

This year's conference will bring together healthcare executives, hospital and clinic leaders, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, public health professionals, educators, policymakers, students, government agencies, and industry partners for Mississippi's premier rural healthcare educational and networking event.

The 2026 conference will feature timely discussions and educational sessions focused on:

Mississippi Medicaid policy updates and emerging healthcare initiatives
Federal CMS regulatory and reimbursement updates
Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Fund implementation and funding opportunities
State healthcare policy and legislative priorities for 2027
Rural hospital leadership strategies and operational innovation
Rural Health Clinic compliance, billing, and survey readiness
Emergency ground and air medical transportation across Mississippi
Veterans healthcare access through innovative scheduling technology
Workforce development and healthcare collaboration
Constituency-specific networking and peer discussion forums
Rural Physician Scholars' poster competition
Recognition of outstanding rural healthcare leaders during the Annual Awards Banquet

We anticipate up to 6.0 hours of continuing education in nursing, social work, ACHE and nursing home administrator.

In addition to outstanding educational programming, the conference offers exceptional opportunities to build relationships with healthcare decision-makers from across Mississippi. Sponsors and exhibitors will have dedicated networking opportunities throughout the conference, including receptions, breakfasts, breaks, and vendor engagement activities designed to maximize visibility and meaningful conversations with attendees.

Whether you are looking to stay informed on the latest developments in rural healthcare, showcase your organization, introduce innovative products and services, or strengthen existing partnerships, the Mississippi Rural Health Conference provides an outstanding venue to connect with the leaders shaping the future of healthcare in Mississippi's rural communities.

Registration, sponsorship, and exhibitor opportunities are available below. We look forward to welcoming you to Flowood this November for two days of education, collaboration, and innovation dedicated to improving rural healthcare across Mississippi.

Vendors
Click here to view the full sponsorship packet

Agenda
Click here to view the draft agenda

Hotel
Click here to book your hotel guest room

31st Annual Mississippi Rural Health Conference (November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

The State’s Premier Event for Rural Health Professionals

We are excited to announce that the 31st Annual Mississippi Rural Health Annual Conference will be held at the beautiful Sheraton Convention Center in Flowood, MS on November 12-13, 2026. This highly anticipated event is the largest rural health conference in the state, and this year, it promises to be more impactful than ever before.

This conference is an incredible opportunity for healthcare professionals, leaders, and stakeholders who are committed to improving the health and well-being of Mississippi’s rural communities. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into rural healthcare challenges and solutions, hear from top experts in the field, and be part of an inspiring and dynamic environment that fosters collaboration and progress.

Agenda

The 2026 conference will feature timely discussions and educational sessions focused on:

Mississippi Medicaid policy updates and emerging healthcare initiatives
Federal CMS regulatory and reimbursement updates
Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Fund implementation and funding opportunities
State healthcare policy and legislative priorities for 2027
Rural hospital leadership strategies and operational innovation
Rural Health Clinic compliance, billing, and survey readiness
Emergency ground and air medical transportation across Mississippi
Veterans healthcare access through innovative scheduling technology
Workforce development and healthcare collaboration
Constituency-specific networking and peer discussion forums
Rural Physician Scholars' poster competition
Recognition of outstanding rural healthcare leaders during the Annual Awards Banquet

We anticipate up to 6.0 hours of continuing education in nursing, social work, ACHE and nursing home administrator.

Agenda
Click here to view the draft agenda

Features of This Year's Conference

Rural Health Golf Tournament

The Mississippi Rural Health Association will host a pre-conference golf tournament, open to all members and vendors. You may register as either an individual player or a four-some team. Registration for the golf tournament is available here in the main conference registration, or you may register separately by clicking here. Awards will be presented to the first, second and third place winners.

Mississippi Rural Health Day Reception

Returning to this year's conference is the Mississippi Rural Health Day Reception, held in celebration of National Rural Health Day, a day dedicated to honoring the “Power of Rural” and the tireless dedication of Mississippi’s rural healthcare heroes. This lively reception will gather healthcare leaders, community advocates, and policy influencers for an uplifting evening of connection, recognition, and celebration. Attendees will enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, music and engaging conversation. Together, we'll shine a spotlight on the innovative programs and collaborations that make rural Mississippi stronger.

Mississippi Rural Physician Scholars' Poster Contest

The Mississippi Rural Physician Scholars' Poster Contest showcases the next generation of rural healthcare leaders as they take a deep dive into the health challenges facing their hometowns. Each student develops a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment, highlighting key data, disparities, and proposed solutions tailored to the unique needs of their local populations. During the conference, scholars will present their findings to attendees, engaging in meaningful dialogue about how to improve access, outcomes, and equity in Mississippi’s rural communities. The top three posters, as selected by a panel of judges, will receive cash awards and special recognition during the conference, celebrating their innovation, insight, and dedication to serving rural Mississippi.

Recognition of Mississippi Hospitals with Quality Awards

Each year at the Mississippi Rural Health Conference, we celebrate those rural hospitals that rank in the top quartile nationally for quality outcomes, as measured by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data and recognized by The Chartis Group through their Rural Hospital Performance INDEX. These awards honor hospitals that consistently deliver exceptional clinical outcomes, patient safety, and satisfaction and who are true beacons of rural healthcare excellence. During our awards ceremony, we will proudly present these accolades to Mississippi hospitals that have risen to the highest standard of care, acknowledging their unwavering dedication to improving patient health and upholding the vitality of our rural communities.

On-Demand: An Overview of Multiple Sclerosis for the Non-Neurologist (December 31, 2026)

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

About

This webinar will review key topics related to the presentation, diagnosis, and management of multiple sclerosis outside of a neurology practice.

Presenter

Dr. Benjamin Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis in the Department of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. Dr. Jones is an attending neurologist in the UAB MS Clinic, also serving as Co-Director and attending neurologist for the UAB Transverse Myelitis Association Clinic. He was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and received undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology at Birmingham-Southern College before attending The University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. He returned to Birmingham for residency training in Neurology at UAB and upon completion of residency pursued a two-year fellowship in MS and Neuroimmunology at UAB, joining the faculty upon completion of his training. In addition to his patient care roles he also serves as the Ambulatory Medical Director and Quality Officer for Neurology, mentors first and second year medical students in clinical skills as a Clinical Skills Scholar, teaches Neurology residents and fellows, and participates in clinical trials for MS and other neuroimmunologic disorders.