The St. Johns River Rural Health Network, Inc. (SJRRHN) is an active community-based, non-profit organization established in 1994. SJRRHN  serves seven counties in Florida’s northeast region.  The Health Planning Council is our organizational parent, providing staff support and supplementary services including health planning and research, community organization, health promotion and awareness, and non-profit and coalition support.

The mission of the SJRRHN, as one of nine independent rural health networks, (per State Statute 381.0406), is to ensure that quality health care is available and efficiently delivered to all persons in rural areas within our region.

• We provide technical assistance to organizations to remove barriers to health care, and organize outreach and education to inform the public about rural health issues.
• We conduct studies, surveys, training, planning, and development activities for the analysis of regional health care issues and the deployment of related programs and initiatives.

Please visit our site at: http://stjohnsriverrhn.org/

How Rideshare Companies Can Address Social Determinants of Health

Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are cruising into the healthcare spotlight.  As medical professionals focus on improving patient access to care and addressing the social determinants of health (SDOH), these rideshare services are a cheap and effective option for meeting industry needs.  Read More

Telemedicine and the Coming Physician Shortage

With an aging population and a limited supply of physicians, the shortage is likely unavoidable.  But by increasing the use of telemedicine and non-physician clinicians, and improving care coordination and chronic care management, we can reduce reliance on traditional doctor visits.  Read More

BCBSA Adds Opioid Abuse Accreditation to Treatment Facilitities

The BlueCross BlueShield Association is launching an opioid abuse accreditation for treatment facilities as part of a continuing effort to address the nation’s opioid crisis.  Read More

CMS Proposes Drug Pricing, Price Transparency Changes for Medicare

CMS has proposed a series of policy changes for Medicare that would promote prescription drug affordability within Medicare, and has also requested stakeholder comments about ways to improve price transparency for Medicare services.  Read More

Provider-Patient Texting is Poised for Growth

Compared to seven years ago, Today’s patients are twice as likely to prefer communicating with their healthcare provider through texting.  A recent West survey found that the demand for text communications in healthcare continues to rise, and patiens want texts for more than just appointment reminders.  Read More

Sharing Behavioral Health Information Amid the Opioid Crisis

By William Bernstein, Partner, Chair, Manatt Health | Robert Belfort, Partner, Manatt Health | Helen Pfister, Partner, Manatt Health | Alex Dworkowitz, Counsel, Manatt Health

Editor’s Note: Manatt Health and the eHealth Initiative Foundation (eHI) recently co-hosted an executive roundtable on the role of health information technology in protecting and sharing behavioral health data during the opioid crisis. Thought leaders from across the industry and government explored the policies and technologies affecting the use of behavioral health information in patient care, examined privacy and security issues in the context of the opioid epidemic, and identified potential paths forward for advancing the integrated care models that are key to effective treatment. Manatt and eHI have partnered to create an issue brief, summarized below, capturing key highlights from the discussion. To download a free copy of the full issue brief.  Read More

HHS to Propose Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule, 42 CFR Part 2

HHS will soon issue requests for information about changing the HIPAA Privacy Rule and 42 CFR Part 2 to make it easier for doctors, hospitals, and payers to coordinate in delivering value-based care and fighting the opioid addiction crisis.  Read More