The purpose of the project is to provide these healthcare facilities with full access to all provider education broadcasts from CMS over its Medicare Learning Network. This, in part, will fulfill the CMS commitment to serve hard-to-reach providers and to reduce ethnic and racial disparities in health outcomes. The CMS and IHS satellite network will extend the educational reach of Trailblazer Health Enterprises, the contractor selected to process all Medicare bills from Indian Country.

CMS and IHS has contracted with Innovative Health Solutions, Inc., a healthcare management consulting firm, to spearhead several activities for this project. These include: 
• Researching existing satellite training programs that are available and appropriate. 
• Conducting a needs assessment of the types of satellite trainings desired by the 
  participating sites.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the Satellite Training Project.
Researching existing satellite training programs that are available and appropriate. 
• Bringing new IHS and tribal sites into the Satellite Training Project network.
• Promoting the project to the sites.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SATELLITE TRAINING TO YOUR IHS OR TRIBAL HEALTH FACILITY?
• High-quality and consistent trainings.
• Phone-in, fax-in, or email questions answered by training host.
• Continuing education or medical credits, when available.
• Greater access to trainings for rural communities.
• Access to information about emerging issues.

Relevant topics of interest to IHS and tribal health professionals such as:
• Chronic diseases and disease management
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Reproductive health
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment
• Maternal and child health
• Health education and promotion
• Mental health