MACHC
Weekly E-Blast:  
Voicing the latest news on Communities in Need
In This Issue

Next Enrollment Period starts
 November 15, 2014!!!
Have news to share with us? Want to be featured on our next E-Digest? Want to read about something in particular? Please email us at [email protected]

Let's Stay Connected
    
June 16, 2014 
MACHC SPOTLIGHT
MACHC Website Under Construction..... 

New Updates coming this SUMMER 

Technical Assistance Request Form 
---to be submitted prior to receiving any TA from MACHC---

CONGRATULATIONS Three Lower Counties on collecting over 3000 signatures for the Access is the Answer Campaign. 

TLC has been a wonderful example and we hope more health centers get involved! 

 

 

Join the Access is the Answer Campaign and advocate for CHC Funding! (template attached)

Health Centers are facing an unprecedented threat and a unique opportunity in 2014. Like every year, Health Centers will have to fight to secure annual funding from Washington. But unlike any year in Health Center history, this year we face a looming Health Center funding cliff - a potential 70% reduction in Health Center program funding scheduled to take effect in 2016. As Health Center Advocates we will also have to make sure that programs, like Medicaid, that are essential to our survival remain intact and strong in the face of efforts to save money.

These are threats to Health Centers AND to the more than 22 million patients Health Centers currently serve and the millions more that Health Centers will need to grow to serve in our communities. Your advocacy through the Access is the Answer campaign is essential if we are to ensure that Health Centers will be there for everyone who needs access to health care.

What can YOU do?

To make the Access is the Answer campaign a success, commit to taking 3 easy action steps:

Number 1: Sign the Access is the Answer petition. 

Number 2: Work with your Health Center leadership to collect Access is the Answer support letters from local elected officials

Number 3:  Work with your Health Center leadership to collect community support letters. 

The value of advocacy:

All politics is local. Congress and the President do really pay attention to the voices of those back home in the community. That means the most effective advocacy has to come from YOU back home.

The Access is the Answer Campaign will be asking Advocates to weigh in on many issues as the campaign goes forward, but if YOU and tens of thousands of Advocates take the 3 steps, we will be laying the foundation for success in a fight neither Health Centers nor our patients can afford to lose. Thanks for joining the Access is the Answer campaign and building the power of Health Center Advocacy.  

MACHC Happenings

MACHC EVENTS

(1) CFO Workgroup
When: Wednesday, June 18, 2014
TBA
 
(2)   Transformational Call

When: Thursday, June 19, 2014

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

1-866-740-1260 Access Code: 4319483

Target Audience: FQHC Leadership

Discuss latest State news, barriers, trends and issues. These issues are presented on HRSA reports and other platforms to find resolutions.

(3) 
PolicyPLUS Webinar
June 25th, 2014 12:30 PM   through   
1:30 PM
HRSA has announced they plan to schedule over 700 Operational Site Visits this year.
That, combined with the ramped up scrutiny from other accrediting and recognition agencies, is why having an online policy, credentialing, and quality management solution like PolicyPLUS has never been more important.  PolicyPLUS has partnered with MACHC to provide you with an powerfully effective, secure, simple to use, and affordable solution.  Several of your fellow  MACHC members are already enjoying the benefits of PolicyPLUS.  Join us on the webinar to see if you could benefit too.
PolicyPLUS™ your convenient online database that Stores, Manages, & Archives your Policies, Procedures, Credentials & QA/QI

  

(4) MA
CHC Board Retreat

 When: July 10 - 11th, 2014

Where: TBA
Look out for more details here in the coming weeks.
 
(5) MACHC Emergency Preparedness Call
When: Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Discuss MACHC's EP activities with members thus far, future efforts. Additionally, discuss ways to be more active and show FQHC value to others through DHMH HPP calls.
 
(6) SAVE
 THE DATE
MACHC's Annual Conference
When: Thursday, September 18th - Friday, September 19th, 2014 
Where: Dover Downs Conference Center, Dover, DE
  • OTHER EVENTS
  •  
  • (1) Enroll America's State of Enrollment Conference
  • When: June 16th-18th

    Enroll America will be convening their first national conference in Washington DC . This conference will offer trainings, workshops, keynotes, and events to learn and exchange best practices and prepare for the next open enrollment period. Early-bird registration rates expire on Friday, April 11th. Click here for more information.

      

    (2) Patient Centered Medical Home Initiative (PCMHHI) Updates -  Monday, June 16, 2014, 2:00pm - 3:00pm, ET.

    BPHC is hosting a webinar to review BPHC updates to the PCMHHI. Participants will hear lessons learned, successes, challenges, future opportunities, and what to expect from the newly released 2014 NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home standards.  To participate in the session, use the following webinar link: 

    PCMHHI Webinar. Connect to the audio line using 1-888-469-3220; Participant code: 4566133.

      

    (3) Reminder: Scope Alignment Validation Webinar - Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 3:30pm - 4:30pm, ET: BPHC is conducting a webinar to review the updates to Scope of Project Forms 5A and 5B announced in PAL 2014-06 and to provide further details on the upcoming Scope Alignment Validation opportunity for health centers as described in PAL 2014-07.

     View more information on the webinar.

     

    (4) Health Centers Serving LGBT Populations Enrichment Webinar - Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 1:30pm - 2:30pm, ET

    BPHC is hosting a webinar to provide an overview of LGBT health disparities, demographics and terminology, as well as key strategies for bringing high quality care to the LGBT community at health centers. 
    View more information on this webinar

     

    . 

     

    (5) New Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Operational Requirements Call - Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 1:30pm - 3:00pm, ET:
    As required by Section 10501 of the Affordable Care Act, FQHCs will transition to PSS beginning October 1, 2014. This National Provider webinar will provide information on operational requirements of the new payment system.  

     

      

    (6Leveraging Multiple State Data Sources to Drive Improvement in Population Health Outcomes

    States have a variety of metrics and data sources that potentially can be used to assess and improve population health outcomes. In order to maximize this potential, states need effective strategies to collect, analyze, integrate, and use data from various sources, and to share it across multiple agencies and health care organizations for activities that drive improvement for all populations. This webinar will feature an overview of state opportunities to identify and use data from a variety of sources to examine subpopulations, identify needs, and target interventions to address the needs of distinct populations. The webinar will also feature a discussion among three states that have taken innovative approaches to using data to drive meaningful changes in health outcomes for various subpopulations with critical needs. Maryland will discuss applications of its health information exchange (the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients - CRISP) to identify issues and areas of focus, Ohio will describe partnership between Medicaid, managed care plans, and public health agencies to use data to address infant mortality and improve perinatal care quality, and Louisiana will highlight how it uses various data sources to create new quality and pay for performance metrics with the goal of improving birth outcomes. Following the panel discussion webinar participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.

     

    (7) ANNUAL 340B COALITION CONFERENCE

    When: July 14 - 16

    Now is the time to register for the 18th Annual 340B Coalition Conference, which takes place in Washington, D.C.The federal government will be publishing new regulations that will significantly impact all program stakeholders. 340B's rapidly evolving nature makes it important for all stakeholders to stay on top of program changes. Whether you work for a health care provider, contract pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturer, 340B-oriented business, or government agency, there is no better way to stay informed and have a voice in shaping the program's future than to attend.

     

    Register now at www.340Bcoalition.org to take advantage of the early bird rates which expire June 1st. If you have questions, please contact Sam Wilhelm-Ross at (202) 536-2280 or [email protected]. Special discounts are available for members of the 340B Coalition Organizations and Drug Discount Monitorsubscribers. Click here to watch our video about the conference. 

    (8) STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at Johns Hopkins
    Increase your knowledge regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections
    Take our STD Intensive Course!
    Course dates: (Baltimore); July 21-25, 2014 (Baltimore);
    Cost of the class is $250.00 for the entire week. CE is provided
     One week course
     Emphasis on reportable and selected prevalent STIs and associated syndromes
     3 days of Lecture, one day in the lab, one day in the clinic and some case studies
     50% of class time clinical and laboratory experience
     Registration is limited to 10 full-time participants
    For more information and registration details, CLICK HERE

     

    (9) SAVE - THE - DATE 

    2014 COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE (CHI) & EXPO at MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT

    AUGUST 23-27, 2014

    REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN!

    Community Health Institute (CHI) & EXPO is THE largest and most important annual gathering of 2000 community health center  managers, clinicians, employees, board members and leaders. Every aspect of the community health center movement is represented and  fully-vested at CHI, making it an excellent networking opportunity. CHI provides essential up-to-date information, training and technical  assistance on the latest community health center challenges, providing professionals in the industry with cutting-edge strategies for community health center success                                       

    Emergency Preparedness Events:

     

    *For those of you who missed MACHC's Table Top Exercise (TTX) this past Thursday, June 12th and are interested in the materials, please email Aneeqa Chowdhury at [email protected]

     

    During the month of June, OP&R and MEMA are co-sponsoring two ICS position-specific awareness trainings, to be held at DHMH Headquarters in Baltimore. Please see below for detailed information and registration links. 

     

    June 30: Incident Command and Planning Section Chief

    DHMH Training and Exercise Project

    ICS Position Specific Awareness Training - Incident Commander and Planning Section Chief

    Course Announcement

    In coordination with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Active Learning and Exercise Branch invites you to participate in the ICS Position Specific Awareness Training - Incident Commander and Planning Section Chief training course. This course is awareness-level only.

    Date: June 30, 2014

    Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

    Location: Lobby Conference Room L-3, 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

    Overview: This awareness-level course will provide local- and State-level emergency responders with an introductory understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and the capabilities of an effective Incident Commander (IC) and an effective Planning Section Chief (PSC). 

    The IC is responsible for the overall management of the response. The IC directs and/or controls resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority. The IC is responsible for all aspects of the response and therefore sets priorities and defines the ICS organization for the particular response.  

    The PSC is responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources. 

    Prerequisites: IS-100.b; IS-200.b; IS-700.a; and IS-800.b; (or equivalent)
    Recommended: ICS-300; and ICS-400

    Logistics: Lunch will not be provided.  Attire is business casual or daily uniform.

    Register: Registration closes on June29, 2014.  To register, please click here.

    Before registering for the class, students must create an account on the MEMA Learning Management System (LMS) website and obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID). Links to the FEMA SID registration site and the MEMA LMS account registration website are found at the above link.

    For additional assistance, contact Reed Correll at [email protected]

     

     

    *These are excellent training opportunities for those who may need to brush up on their skills or gain fresh knowledge and insight into the Incident Command System.
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News

    Scope Alignment Validation in HRSA Electronic Handbooks Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2014-07- HRSA has issued PAL 2014-07

    to describe the process for health centers to review their updated Scope of Project Forms 5A and 5B, make limited allowable updates, and certify the resulting services and sites in scope via the Scope Alignment Validation (SAV) deliverable in the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHB).
    Health Center Program Requirements Oversight Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2014-08
    HRSA has issued PAL 2014-08 to provide policy clarification and updated program guidance regarding the HRSA/BPHC Progressive Action process. PAL 2014-08 includes information about enforcement actions as well as when and how program requirements compliance status and past performance impacts funding award decisions.
    National Health Center Week 2014, themed "America's Health Centers: Local Engines for Healthier Communities", ��is quickly approaching (August 10th-16th). Back this year is the popular National Health Center Week Picture and Video Contests. The contests are open to all Health Center Advocates including staff, board members, patients, and others. Submissions to both contests run from August 1st thorough the 29th. Check out the NHCW website for contest rules and themes as well as helpful hints for creating winning picture and video entries. The NHCW Picture and Video Contests are great opportunities not only to win some great prizes but also to bring some well-deserved attention to your Health Center. Also, don't forget to post your NHCW events on the NHCW website.The password to post events is: healthy. Are you planning to host an outreach and enrollment type event during National Health Center Week this year? Let NACHC know by emailing [email protected].

     

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) invite the public to submit comments on the recently released notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow providers participating in the EHR Incentive Programs to use the 2011 Edition or 2014 Edition of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for the 2014 reporting year. Comments must be received by July 21, 2014 to be considered. If finalized as proposed, the rules would allow providers to meet Stage 1 or Stage 2 of meaningful use with EHRs certified to the 2011 or 2014 Edition criteria or a combination of both editions. Participation options would vary by a provider's stage of meaningful use and by their CEHRT Edition selection. Beginning in 2015, all eligible providers would be required to report using 2014 Edition CEHRT.

    Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Funding Increase for Health Centers

    Health Centers and their patients scored a big victory Tuesday as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) approved $5.1 billion in total program funding for the Health Centers program in FY2015. This is exactly the request Health Center Advocates carried to Capitol Hill this spring and for which broad bipartisan support was demonstrated in this year's Stabenow-Wicker sign-on letter. A funding increase at this level would allow Health Centers to expand their capacity to deliver access to care to an estimated eleven million more patients. While the subcommittee action is just the first step in a long appropriations process, it was a major step forward in the fight for expanded access to care. 

    School nurses' role expands with access to students' online health records

    Hoping to decrease rates of hospital trips for youngsters suffering from common chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, some states are empowering school nurses to offer more robust school-based care by connecting them to primary care providers through the use of electronic health records.

    House and Senate Continue to Move Forward on VA Health Reforms

    Discussions on Capitol Hill regarding the need for improved access to care for veterans continue to heat up. Yesterday Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced bipartisan compromise legislation that, among other provisions, calls for expanded access to care at non-VA health facilities-including FQHCs-for veterans facing lengthy wait times for service or who live more than 40 miles from a VA health facility. The House plans a vote this week on a more limited bill from Congressman Jeff Miller (R - FL) which contains similar provisions aiming to expand veterans' access to care. The two bills differ when it comes to how to reimburse non-VA providers for care provided to veterans, as well as on the process under which veterans would be referred outside the VA for care.  
    NACHC is carefully reviewing the implications for Health Centers and providing ongoing feedback to Capitol Hill. Several Health Centers have already shared their past experiences and recommendations for improved relationships between Heath Centers and the VA, which has been tremendously helpful in informing our initial feedback on legislative proposals. If you have not yet had an opportunity to share your thoughts and would like to weigh in, please feel free to email Jennifer Taylor at [email protected]

    New Advocacy Video Posted: Why Don't You Advocate?

    We all have busy lives that sometimes keep us from advocating for Health Centers and the patients they serve. But with the Health Centers Program facing a potential 70% cut in funding, Advocates cannot afford to sit back and wait. This fun, new video - featuring some familiar NACHC faces - makes light of some of those excuses while making the case that NOW is the time it to take action. Take a moment to watch then video then be sure to share it with your board members and colleagues far and wide.

    Senate confirms Sylvia Mathews Burwell as new secretary of HHS

     

    In a 78 to 17 vote, the Senate voted to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    State News
    DELAWARE
    Accidents happen, even at Delaware's beaches. Need health insurance? You can enroll for health insurance coverage on Delaware's health insurance marketplace starting November 15 or see if you qualify for a special enrollment period by visiting http://bit.ly/1o64tjr#ChooseHealthDE
    MARYLAND
    Howard County is creating a task force charged with developing of a comprehensive behavioral health action plan for the county -- one that officials say is needed in response to the January shooting deaths at the Mall in Columbia. On Jan. 25, Darion Marcus Aguilar, 19, entered a store at the mall and shot and killed two clerks, Brianna Benlolo, 21, of College Park and Tyler Johnson, 25, of Mount Airy, before taking his own life. Police later said Aguilar had been urged by a doctor to seek psychiatric help. County officials said goals for the Behavioral Health Action Plan Task Force include assessing what community groups now provide to support those with mental illness; identifying gaps in care and providing policy, program and funding recommendations
    Finance & Business
    Here's something you may not know. Community Health Centers  , Look-Alikes, and Rural Health Clinics are NOT automatically participants in Pennsylvania's loan repayment program (LRP). All of these types of sites are eligible to be in the program (as are state correctional institutions, public health departments, and a few other site types), but they have to apply.  The Department of Health's application can be accessed online. 

    ICD-10 Webcast for Pediatrics Available Online

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a newly released webcast on ICD-10 documentation and coding concepts for pediatrics. This is one of a series of "Road to 10" webcasts and CMS ICD-10 resources. An AHIMA-certified coder presents on the webcast, which focuses on unique ICD-10 clinical documentation needs and hot topics for pediatrics such as the physician perspective/clinical impact of ICD-10, documentation requirements for certain conditions, documentation changes and new concepts, and the use of "unspecified" codes in ICD-10. CMS will also offer other webinars in the "Road to 10" series that will follow the same outline and objectives for other specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, and internal medicine.

     

     

    The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold its second call on the Medicare FQHC PPS on June 25, 2014. The call will focus on the operational requirements including the new "G-codes", billing and claims processing, cost reporting and coding. 
    The
    Latest News on ACA
     
    OUR WORK IS NOT OVER

      

     

    FY 2014 Health Center Expanded Services (ES) Supplemental Funding - The recording and transcript of the ES Supplemental Funding Opportunity technical assistance call held June 6, 2014 are now available.  Please continue to check the ES TA website for updated materials, including new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).     

      

     

    Special Announcement - Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement

    The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a funding opportunity for organizations and individuals to operate as Navigators in Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs) and State Partnership Marketplaces (SPMs).  As they did this year,Navigators will continue to assist consumers in various ways, including as they learn about available coverage options through the Marketplace during the 2015 open enrollment period for the individual market. 

    Navigators have been an important resource for the millions of Americans who enrolled in coverage in 2014. This second year of funding ensures this important work will continue in 2014-2015, including during the 2015 open enrollment period for the individual market Marketplaces .

    We look forward to your ongoing support in both the application process and in making sure we have a strong Navigator program in 2014-2015.

    Key Changes

    In this year's Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Navigator applicants will be encouraged to discuss the community(ies) they expect to target, their relationships within their target communities, and how they intend to build on these relationships as part of their outreach efforts. Navigators are required under newly finalized regulations to maintain a physical presence in the community(ies) so that face-to-face assistance can be provided to consumers.  Applicants will also be encouraged to discuss plans to conduct criminal background checks on all Navigator staff that will be handling sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII).  We have also included language to ensure that applicants are aware of new rules regarding Navigator requirements that were finalized on May 27, 2014.

    The Navigator program still requires that at least two types of entities serve as Navigators in each Marketplace, and that at least one of those Navigators be a community and consumer-focused nonprofit.  Entities or individuals serving as Navigators are also required to have expertise in the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations; eligibility and enrollment rules and procedures; the range of QHP options and insurance affordability programs; and privacy and security standards.  We continue to encourage organizations interested in applying to form consortiums to cover a particular service area. 

    Application and Award Information

    HHS will award $60,000,000 to recipients across all service areas of FFMs (including SPMs).

    • Letter of Intent to Apply (required) Due: June 30, 2014
    • Applications Due: July 10, 2014
    • Anticipated Award Date: September 8, 2014

    At least $600,000 in total cooperative agreement funds will be available for each FFM (including SPM) service area. Small entities and individuals proposing to serve smaller, hard-to-reach or underserved populations are encouraged to apply, particularly by partnering with other entities and/or individuals to form a consortium which serves a larger total portion of the population. 

    To see the FOA for the Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces go to Grants.gov and search for CFDA 93.332

     

     

    Health insurance premiums for people buying coverage on their own grew an average of 10 percent or more a year during the three years before the Affordable Care Act was enacted, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. The analysis, by Jonathan Gruber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, uses information collected by the National Opinion Research Center to look at premium trends for individual plans nationally and in 22 states for which data are available - offering the first snapshot of premium growth in the individual insurance market before the health reform law took effect.

     

    For other helpful outreach and enrollment resources, please click here

    For General FAQs on HRSA Health Center Outreach and Enrollment Assistance Supplemental Funding, click here

    Transformational Team Talk & Outreach Upates

    Standing Advisory Committee - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange 

    Facilitator: Deputy Director, MHBE, Jonathan Kromm 

    • MHBE to release county level enrollment date on the MHBE Outreach & Enrollment email on June 24th.
    • Sigma & United in talks to become QHPs. Proposed plans and rates are being reviewed by Maryland Insurance Agency and not yet released.
    • Contrary to previous information regarding Connecticut's system not having up to the par Medicaid capabilities, the system will have similar Medicaid capability like that we have had
    • Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for COBRA eligible consumers has been extended to July 15th

     

    On June 25, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) will host a Kick-Off meeting of the Change Agent Network (CAN). This session will provide information on the rolling out the new Maryland Health Benefit Exchange system.

    Meeting details:
    Date: June 25, 2014
    Time: 1:00 - 3:30 pm
    Location: Sky Lobby, 750 Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202

     

     

    A Message From MARYLAND HEALTH EXCHANGE:

    We are in the process of transitioning our training and are now offering a CAC 3 - Day Recorded Webinar.  Although it is not ideal, the recorded webinars will allow those staff who weren't able to attend the final live webinar training the opportunity to complete the training and satisfy one of the requirements to become eligible to take the CAC Final Exam.  

     

    Please note:  This is the last 3-day webinar.  Training will reconvene once the training transition period is complete.

     

    The CAC 3 - Day Recorded Webinar (VIEW OFFERINGS is one of your training requirements to become a Certified Application Counselor.  We have scheduled additional dates and times listed below.  The CAC 3 - DAY RECORDED WEBINAR is three hours EACH DAY.  During this recorded webinar, participants will review what you learned in the Certified Application Counselor (CAC) web-based training course, which is a prerequisite for the webinar.

     

    Your next step in preparing for your work will be to enroll in the 3 - Day Recorded CAC Webinar.  You will need to register for the webinar using the learning management system at http://marylandhealthconnectiontraining.com.  To view the dates and times for the webinars, you must click the "In Person Training" button and "View Course Offerings" link. 

     

    Application Counselor Webinar (ACW001)

    Course Name

    ID Number

    CAC Webinar

    cacWebinar

    Select here to - VIEW OFFERINGS

     

     

    To complete enrollment you must click the "Enroll" link located next to the course you have selected to attend.  

     

    To complete the 3-day webinar registration process, participants must register for each day of the webinar (June 17th, 18th, and 19th) at https://marylandhbe.webex.com/marylandhbe/onstage/g.php?PRID=d551bafe652ec76110985d0172393c9c .  THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE LISTED COURSE IS 5 PM ON JUNE 16, 2014.

     

    The CAC 3 - Day Recorded webinar dates and times are:

     

    Title

    Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Webinar

    Date

    June 17-19, 2014

    Time

    From 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST each day

     

    If you have not already done so, please be sure to complete the Certified Application Counselor (CAC) web-based training on http://marylandhealthconnectiontraining.com , which is a prerequisite for the webinar.  Webinars are limited to 75 students per session and is one of the three training requirements that must be satisfied to become certified.

     

    After you have enrolled and registered for the appropriate webinar, you will be notified via email with the details for the course the morning a day before and the morning of your scheduled webinar.  This notification will contain instructions on how to access the CAC Webinar.  The course access information can be found on the learning management system once enrolled in the course.

     

    Participants must satisfy these minimum requirements in order to receive credit for the webinar training:

     

    �         Attend a webinar session in its entirety. Participants who miss more than 15 minutes of the webinar, as captured by entry and exit times throughout the session, will not receive completion status for the training. For this reason, we encourage all participants to test their access prior to the session and remain logged into the online event during scheduled breaks and Q&A sessions.

    �         Log into the session on an individual computer with a complete and accurate last name, first name, and email address. Participants who share a computer to attend the webinar will not receive completion status for the training because their names and email addresses will not be captured in the webinar attendance report. When joining the session, please enter the same name and email address you used when registering for the webinar on http://marylandhealthconnectiontraining.com.

     

     

    If you still need to complete a System Webinar training, we are in the process of transitioning our training and are now offering a CAC 1 - Day Recorded System Webinar.  Although it is not ideal, the recorded webinars will allow those staff who weren't able to attend the final live webinar training the opportunity to complete the training and satisfy one of the requirements to become a Certified Application Counselor.  IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THIS REQUIREMENT, PLEASE DISREGARD.

     

      

    Please note:  This is the last 1-day System Webinar.  Training will reconvene once the training transition period is complete.

      

    The System Webinar is one of your training requirement to become a Certified Application Counselor.  We have scheduled additional dates and times listed below.  The CAC-MHC System Webinar is a one day, three hour webinar that will teach CACs how to assist consumers using the Maryland Health Connection Consumer Portal.  Topics include:  creating an account; completing an application; and shopping for Qualified Health Plans.  We have attached the participant guide below for your reference during the webinar.

      

    Your next step in preparing for your work will be to enroll in the CAC-MHC System Webinar.  You will need to register for the webinar using the learning management system at http://marylandhealthconnectiontraining.com.  To view the dates and times for the webinars, you must click the "In Person Training" button and "View Course Offerings" link. 

      

    MHC System Webinar (0023)

    Course Name

    ID Number

    MHC System Webinar

    MHCSystemWebinar

    Select here to - VIEW OFFERINGS

      

      

    To complete enrollment you must click the "Enroll" link located next to the course you have selected to attend.  

      

    Enroll

    CAC-MHC Recorded System Webinar Session #11 - 6/23/14 3 hrs

    -

    Jun 22, 2014

    -

    -

    0

    0/75

      

      

    To complete enrollment you must click the "Enroll" link located next to the course you have selected to attend.  To complete the 1-Day System Webinar registration process, participants must register at https://marylandhbe.webex.com/marylandhbe/onstage/g.php?PRID=c568d8da3d6c686369af16de16eec763.  

      

    THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE LISTED COURSE IS 5 PM ON JUNE 20, 2014.

      

    The CAC 1- Day Recorded System webinar date and time are:

      

    Title

    Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Webinar

    Date

    June 23, 2014

    Time

    From 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST 

     

     

    The MHBE Call Center Hours of Operation & Holiday Closings for the period of May 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014 will be as follows:

     

    Hours of Operation

    Mon - Fri - 8am-6pm

    Sat - 8am - 2pm

    Sun - CLOSED

     

    Holiday Closings

    Memorial Day - May 26

    Independence Day - July 4

    Labor Day - September 1

     

    Grants & Funding Opportunities

    Community Economic Development (CED) Projects

    Application Deadline: June 21, 2014

    Offers funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for projects designed to address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families through the creation of employment and business opportunities, including expansion or construction of clinics and health centers. Bonus points will be given to projects that create jobs in rural communities. 

     

    Expanded Services Opportunity for Existing Community Health Centers!

    Application Deadline:  July 1, 2014. Awards anticipated in September 2014.
    HRSA sent notification to eligible health centers of this funding opportunity with individual health center awards calculated with a base amount of $178,000, plus supplements based on numbers of total and uninsured patients reported served by the health center in 2013. Funding will be incorporated into grantees' ongoing base awards, dependent upon projections being met. In order to receive funding, applicants must propose to use at least 50% of funds to increase access to comprehensive primary health care services to new underserved patients by:  

    Hiring medical providers, Expanding medical services, and/or Expanding hours of operation.  

     

    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Funding for hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare, and education to those who are underserved. Pennsylvania is one of the eligible states.
     
    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Provides seed funding to emerging nonprofits, or to new projects of established organizations in the areas of education; environment; health and human services; and hunger and nutrition. Pennsylvania is one of 13 eligible states.
     
    Application Deadline:  Applications Accepted on an Ongoing Basis
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral health care and community resources that improve oral health. Programs that address an immediate response to an urgent issue that impacts access to clinical care, provide short-term access to needed care for the underserved, or sustain organizations experiencing short-term challenges are the focus. A limited number of program concepts that provide longer term solutions or essential services for particularly underserved populations will also be considered. The program will also support Missions of Mercy clinics.
    Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Corner 
    Report: PCMH model leads to reduced cost of care, improved population health 

    patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model resulted in reduced costs of care, unnecessary emergency room (ER) and hospital visits, and improved population health, according to a research report by the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative.

    The Collaborative partnered with Milbank Memorial Fund to produce the report, "The Patient-Centered Medical Home's Impact on Cost & Quality: An Annual Update of the Evidence, 2012-2013," to examine cost and utilization, population health and prevention, access to care, and patient or clinician satisfaction under PCMH.

    The report focused on studies released between August 2012 and December 2013 and revealed common metrics, including:

    • Decreases in the cost of care: 61 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 57 percent of industry reports noted drops in per member, per month costs, return on investment and total cost of care.

    • Reductions in the use of unnecessary or avoidable services: 61 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 57 percent of industry-generated reports showed drops in ER or urgent care visits, while 31 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 57 percent of industry-generated reports saw declines in inpatient admissions, with hospital readmissions falling in 13 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 29 percent of industry-generated ones.

    • Improvements in population-health indicators and preventive services: 31 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 29 percent of industry-generated studies saw better controlled HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL levels, as well as an increase in screening and immunization rates.

    • Improvements in access to care: 31 percent of peer-reviewed studies and 29 percent of industry-generated studies noted better overall access to primary care doctors, as well as non-face-to-face visits.Improvements in patient satisfaction: 23 percent of peer-reviewed and 14 percent of industry-generated studies saw a rise in overall satisfaction, the number of patients who recommended the practice to family and friends, and increased satisfaction with provider communications.

    The report also found PCMHs play a role in strengthening the larger healthcare systems, especially accountable care organizations. "Many of the nation's highest-performing ACOs embrace their strong PCMH component, and for this reason, PCMHs are well-positioned to lead and drive change across ACOs," the report states.

    The PCMH model is also being incorporated into significant payment reforms, including Congressional reforms to the Medicare sustainable growth rate, which would aid in moving the U.S. healthcare system away from fee-for-service toward alternative payment methods, including ones build around the PCMH model, according to the report.

    A study from the University of California Los Angeles and the University of Southern California in 2013 showed success of PCMHs even in an urban, safety-net setting, FierceHealthcare previously reported. The Galaxy Health program, which debuted at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center (LAC+USC) in 2012, proved that intuitive and inexpensive interventions improve patient care and physician and staff morale.

     

    States, Insurers Increase Reliance on PCMH/ACO Models

    In Arkansas, Medicaid officials have worked to design a payment structure that rewards efficiency and supports primary care doctors in the implementation of team-based strategies, coordinated chronic care delivery and achievement of better patient outcomes, according to a  Health Affairs blog post. The state didn't want to penalize efficient practices, so it rewards providers that hit a targeted, risk-adjusted per-member per-year spending level that doesn't rely on actually spending less and offers smaller rewards for less efficient practices that reduce their spending. Elsewhere, insurers like Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Aetna have announced their intention to boost member enrollment over the new few years in a PCMH or accountable care organization
    Clinical Quality 
    CMS Posts 2014 Clinical Quality Measures, Electronic Specifications and Resources

    Beginning in 2014, the reporting of clinical quality measures will change for all providers. Electronic Health Record technology that has been certified to the 2014 standards and capabilities will contain new CQM criteria, and eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals will report using the new 2014 criteria regardless of whether they are participating in Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

    The final 2014 CQMs for eligible professionals and eligible hospitalsare now available, as well as the specifications for electronic reporting and access to the related value sets. These files can be accessed from the 2014� CMS Clinical Quality Measures webpage.

    Reporting Electronically in 2014

    Beginning in 2014, all Medicare EPs and eligible hospitals beyond their first year of demonstrating meaningful use must electronically report their CQM data to CMS. Medicaid EPs and eligible hospitals that are eligible only for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will report their CQM data to their state.

    e-Specifications

    The value sets of the electronic specifications code the CQMs in your EHR, allowing you to export the measure results and report them in attestation. EPs and eligible hospitals can view the value sets on the National Library of Medicine Value Set Authority Center webpage.Resources for 2014 CQMs

    To help providers navigate the new CQMs, CMS has developed and posted new resources, including:

    Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

    Make sure to visit the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

     

     

    Triage Webinar Recording Now Available 

    If you missed the triage webinar, Building and Maintaining an Effective Triage System, presented by ECRI Institute on behalf of HRSA, the recording is now available. The 60-minute webinar, handouts, and post conference speaker questions and answers are located in the Webinar and Audio Conference Archive on the Clinical Risk Management Program website. You will need to log in to the website with your username and password in order to access the recording. If you are not a member of this site, registration is free.
    Health Observances This Week

      

     

    Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages - and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. But many injuries can be prevented when people practice safe behaviors.

    Make a difference: Spread the word about strategies for reducing the risk of injuries. Encourage communities, workplaces, families, and individuals to identify and report safety hazards.

    How can National Safety Month make a difference?

    We can all use this month to raise awareness about important safety issues like:

    • Prescription drug abuse
    • Slips, trips, and falls
    • Being aware of your surroundings
    • Distracted driving
    • Staying safe in the summer heat

    Everyone can get involved in reducing the risk of injuries. Together, we can share information about steps people can take to protect themselves and others.

    How can I help spread the word?

    We've made it easier for you to make a difference! This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:

    Has your FQHC joined the National Branding Campaign?

     

    With more than 43 billion people  eligible to enroll in private insurance starting this October 1, FQHCs strive to create an identifiable unifying identity for themselves. This is where the National Branding Campaign for Our Health Centers comes into place. 

    The campaign is a national branding effort to strengthen recognition of our Health Centers as a unified and nationwide network of quality community-based primary care providers.  Initially created at the state level by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) and its membership, the National Association of Community Health Centers has expanded the campaign nationwide.

     

    The FQHC Brand Components  

    MACHC recently hosted a Branding Webinar for MD and DE Health Centers with CEO of PACHC, Cheri Reinhart and Event and Communications Coordinator, Kirsten Keyes, as guest speakers. If you missed the webinar and would like access, please click here.

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