Weekly E-Blast:
Voicing the latest news on Communities in Need
|
|
|
Next Enrollment Period starts
|
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 aneeqa@machc.com.
|
|
|
(1) 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.
(2) The Use of Public Narrative for Community Health
Wednesday, July 23rd from 6-7 PM EST
Learn about the foundational skill of narrative for building and sustaining coalitions in your community. The webinar will also illustrate uses for the narrative in developing connections between care providers and the community as well as several examples of practical applications of where narrative can be used.
(3) Building Relationships to Bring Your Effort to Scale
Wednesday, July 30th from 6-7pm EST
Learn how to use your public narrative skills to develop intentional relationships, grounded in shared values, interests and commitments. This webinar will also introduce "Actor Mapping" and one-on-ones, and community meetings as a way to grow your effort. Lastly, this will review practical applications for these tools as well as examples of how to do a one-on-one.
Registration https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1ofpzhf2zvcd6&eom
(4) Creating Strong Team Structure to Sustain your Community Health Initiatives
Wednesday, August 6th from 6-7pmEST
Learn about the usual pitfalls in working within a new team and evidence-based methods for improving the effectiveness of your team. This webinar will also include practical tools, agendas and frameworks for enabling you and your team to work more strategically. Lastly, there will be a case study on how this might be applied in a community health worker setting.
Registration https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1fiy5fruj8ro3&eom
MACHC's Annual Conference
When: Thursday, September 18th - Friday, September 19th, 2014
Where: Dover Downs Conference Center, Dover, DE
|
(1) 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.
(2) SAMHSA-HRSA Webinar: The Foundations of Culturally Appropriate Integrated Services for LGBT Individuals - Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 2:00pm-3:30pm, ET.
The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions is hosting this webinar to discuss ways to evaluate organizational barriers to accessing care, strategies for reducing these barriers, and actionable steps for implementing culturally appropriate services for LGBT individuals.
(3) Fiscal Year 2015 Affordable Care Act NAP Grants (HRSA-15-016) FOA Applicant Technical Assistance (TA) Call -Thursday, July 17, 2014, 1:30pm - 3:00pm, ET. HRSA will hold a TA call for applicants interested in the HRSA-15-016 FOA. The call will review the details of the announcement of $100 million to support an estimated 150 New Access Point grant awards in Fiscal Year 2015.
To participate in the session use the following link: FY15 NAP Applicant TA. Connect to the audio line using 888-795-3252; Passcode: 2066988.
(4) New Webinar: Enrollment 1.0: State Reflections on ACA's First Year and What's Next
Tuesday, July 22 2:00-3:30PM EDT
Beginning in October, 2013, states initiated their first open enrollment period for health coverage under the ACA. While state approaches varied, all states implemented new rules, system interfaces, and data reporting methods required under the ACA. What are states learning so far about what works to enroll eligible individuals and what are their top-line priorities getting ready for the next open enrollment period in November 2014? This webinar will provide an opportunity to learn about promising strategies and innovations states are piloting related to enrollment and retention into insurance affordability programs, including through state-based exchanges and coordination with the federally facilitated marketplace (FFM). State panelists from Kentucky, Montana and Washington will share experiences and enrollment successes. NASHP will also share new findings from research with 10 states documenting promising strategies, common challenges and trends in state enrollment experience as part of the Enrollment 2014 project.
(5) Mobilizing for Oral Health Equity: An Interdisciplinary Effort Webinar - Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 1:00pm-2:00pm, ET.
Join this webinar to learn about oral health equity and the root causes of oral health disparities.
(6) Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators?: Substance Abuse Webinar- Thursday, July 24, 2014, 12:00pm-1:00pm, ET.
HHS is hosting this Healthy People 2020 webinar to discuss the complexity of substance abuse and share an example of steps taken by a community-based organization to address substance abuse issues in its community.
(7) Beyond the Screening: Treatment Services under the Medicaid Benefit for Children and Adolescents
Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
Register Here
State Medicaid programs offer a variety of treatment services to meet the needs of children with physical and behavioral health conditions. Under federal law, Medicaid programs must cover services for children, as long as the treatments are necessary to correct or ameliorate the child's condition, even if the services are not covered for adults. Join this NASHP webinar to hear a federal perspective from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on how states can leverage the Medicaid benefit for children and adolescents (also known as EPSDT) to meet the treatment needs of children. This will be followed by a conversation with presenters from Colorado and Washington about treatment services under the EPSDT benefit and their processes for determining service coverage.
This webinar is the fourth in a series on the Medicaid benefit for children and adolescents: the final webinar in the series will focus on care coordination services for children. Previous webinars in the series focused on improving service delivery for children, engaging adolescents, and promoting oral health. In conjunction with this webinar series, NASHP launched a Resource map on www.nashp.org to disseminate state-specific resources and info rmation about strategies that state policymakers and Medicaid officials can use to deliver the Medicaid benefit for children and adolescents.
Please contact Mike Stanek (mstanek@nashp.org) with any questions on this webinar.
(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 NOW OPEN: Click Here!
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:
ATTENTION MD FQHCS - Please check inbox for MACHC Emergency Preparedness & Management Call on Wednesday, July 23rd at 10 AM. Mark it on your calendars! Representation from each FQHC is required.
*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 aneeqa@machc.com.
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.
|
MACHC Website Under Construction.....
New Updates coming this SUMMER
Technical Assistance Request Form
---to be submitted prior to receiving any TA from MACHC---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Health Center Week 2014
Check out the NHCW Store to order event items and giveaways for your celebrations - NHCW t-shirts will be 15% off from June 23-30! Get started today to make sure your NHCW celebration is a success.
|
|
Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
|
|
HHS Announces Release of Affordable Care Act Funding
HRSA-15-016Affordable Care Act New Access Point Grants
Today Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell announced the release of $100 million in ACA dollars to fund approximately 150 new access points throughout the country in 2015. These 150 new access points will be added to the existing 550 new Health Center sites created through funding from the ACA. Read the HHS press release regarding the new access points here. Earlier this week Secretary Burwell also announced the release of $83.4 million in ACA funding to support Teaching Health Centers, funding more than 550 residents in 24 states for the coming year. The HHS press release on the Teaching Health Centers funding is available. |
|
Congress Continues to Debate Best Approach to Increasing Veterans Access to Care
As Congress returns to Washington after the holiday, talks are set to resume on compromise legislation to improve veterans' access to health care outside the VA, including at FQHCs. The primary point of contention continues to revolve around the price tag of the legislation, with the current Senate-passed version estimated to cost as much as $50 billion annually, and the cost of the House-passed legislation coming in at roughly $44 billion over 5 years. A group of 28 Members of the House and Senate have been appointed to a conference committee to work out the differences between the bills and to determine whether or not the cost of a final bill must be offset with savings elsewhere in the budget.
Based on feedback from Health Centers across the country, NACHC wrote a letter to the conference committee to remind them about the unique Health Center mission and model and to urge them to ensure that final legislation accounts for FQHCs' specific service package and reimbursement structure.
|
|
"The Affordable Care Act is one of the most significant laws to help reduce disparities in health and access to care. During the first historic open enrollment period, minority men, many who may have previously been locked out of the health insurance market because of a pre-existing condition or simply because of its unaffordability, were able to obtain health care coverage and will now have the security that health insurance provides," Gracia said.
Despite advances resulting from the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report from the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Latino and African-American males between the ages of 19 and 34 are most likely to remain uninsured.
|
|
Who pays your doc? Coming soon to a site near you
Starting this September, thanks to a provision in the health care law known as the Sunshine Act, patients will be able to have more information about what gifts, meals, payments and other services their health care providers receive from pharmaceutical and medical supply companies. "I think every patient out there should know who actually is paying their doctor," says Paul Thacker, a fellow at Harvard University's Safra Center for Ethics. "The one thing we know is that money changes behavior and people tend to respond to who is giving them money."
|
|
|
Looking to balance patient safety and free-speech, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is revisiting its rules and regulations regarding pharmaceutical companies' ability to conduct "off-label" marketing. According to Michael Wilkes, a medical professor at the University of California at Davis, "It's hard to know what's legitimate and what's not. I'd like to see [the FDA] err on the side of overregulation and making companies prove that these drugs work for off-label uses."
|
New research published in the journal JAMA shows that tobacco users who use a combination of cessation methods are more likely to be successful in their attempts to quit smoking.
"The combination (of varenicline and nicotine patches) appears to be safe, although further studies are needed to confirm this," Koegelenberg said.
The two treatment groups experienced a variety of side effects, none of them adverse, Koegelenberg said. In the combined treatment group, more nausea, sleep disturbance, skin reactions, constipation and depression were reported; the varenicline-only group experienced more abnormal dreams and headaches.
Koegelenberg suggested that future research include a broader range of smokers and "assess the tolerability and cost-benefit comparisons with alternatives."
|
|
According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American youth are becoming increasingly more sedentary, regardless of socio-economic status. "Really, this is not good news," said Janet Fulton, a lead epidemiologist with the C.D.C.'s Physical Activity and Health Branch, who oversaw the new study. "We're talking about a better than 1 percent per year drop in cardiorespiratory fitness" among a group for whom, she said, "physical activity should come naturally."
|
|
New White House Study Details the Impact of Not Expanding Medicaid
A new study released by The White House Council on Economic Advisers estimates that states not expanding Medicaid will fail to increase insurance coverage to a total of 5.7 million individuals. Access the study, entitled "Missed Opportunities: The Consequences of State Decisions to Not Expand Medicaid", here, or read NACHC's press release on the study here. |
Reminder: Scope Alignment Validation (SAV) - SAV is open until Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 5:00pm, ET
SAV is a one-time opportunity for health centers to view their scope of project in the updated Form 5A: Services and Form 5B Services Sites and to make limited allowable updates in HRSA's Electronic Handbook (EHB)
2013 Uniform Data System (UDS) Data Available in EHB
The 2013 Health Center Program Grantee and Look Alike National and State UDS data are currently available in EHB for grantees, Look Alikes, and Primary Care Associations. The 2013 UDS data will be available to the general public online later this summer.
|
|
Skimpier Health Plans Could Impose Big Out-Of-Pocket Costs
People are worried about being able to pay for health insurance. So the insurance industry and a group of Democratic senators have proposed offering cheaper, skimpier "copper plans" on the health law's marketplaces that could draw in people who were unhappy with the cost of available plans.
But consumer advocates and others who study the insurance market suggest that there may not be a big demand for these plans and that they could expose people to unacceptably high out-of-pocket costs if they got sick.
"It's a false promise of affordability," says Sabrina Corlette, project director at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. "If you ever have to use the plan, you won't be able to afford it."
|
Staying healthy increases the chances you'll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long, healthy life. Here's what you can do to put your health and well-being first: http://1.usa.gov/1sHl8bp.#ChooseHealthDE
|
|
Cardin decries court's Hobby Lobby decision
In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision exempting closely held corporations from a federal mandate requiring employers to cover contraception for female workers, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin discussed the ruling's potential effect on women's health Tuesday with physicians and administrators at the Greater Baden Medical Services health center in Brandywine.
In a landmark decision, the high court ruled 5-4 last week in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby that the retailer Hobby Lobby was exempt from the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, because the company claimed it conflicted with its owners' religious beliefs. More broadly, the majority held that the mandate did not apply to any closely held corporation that objected on religious grounds.
Where 72,200 Maryland health exchange enrollees live, in one chart
Baltimore City residents accounted for 8 percent of the 72,200 people who bought health insurance through Maryland's exchange.
The largest portion of exchange enrollees - about 45 percent - hail from Montgomery and Prince George's counties, according to data released June 27 by the exchange. The data does not specify how many people were eligible to sign up in each county.
Overall, Maryland enrolled a small portion of the total number of residents considered potential enrollees, according to analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The 72,200 enrollees represent about 17 percent of the 419,000 residents who could have signed up. Potent ial enrollees are legal residents who are uninsured or previously bought insurance in the individual marketplace, who are not eligible for Medicaid and do not have access to employer-sponsored health plans.
Take a look at the exchange's map to see where enrollment was highest and lowest.
|
|
|
|
Financial Operations Management (FOM), Level III Training Seminar
July 16-17, 2014 - San Diego, CA
Early Bird Deadline: July 2!
Register here online.
Download the FOM III training brochure.
| |
|
Are employers hiring part-timers to avoid Obamacare costs?
While there is no direct evidence directly linking Obamacare to a decrease in the number of full-time jobs available, many argue the numbers speak for themselves. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the economy lost 523,000 full-time jobs in June, but added 799,000 part-time jobs.
New Medicare PPS Billing Guidance
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MLN Connects National Provider Call, New Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) for FQHCs: Operational Requirements, was held this week. Slides are available. An audio recording and written transcript will be posted on the call detail web page, once it is available. Questions may be emailed to FQHC-PPS@cms.hhs.gov. Per CMS, some billing requirements are unchanged:
- Continue to submit on a 77X type of bill
- HCPCS coding continues to be required for all services
- Revenue codes continue
- Timely filing guidelines continue
The revised billing PPS methodology and new billing requirements begin with the first cost reporting period beginning on or after October 1, 2014 and include:
- All services rendered on the same day must be submitted on one claim or it will be rejected
- FQHC payment codes G0466, G0467, and G0468 must be reported with revenue code 052X or 0519
- FQHC payment codes G0469 and G0470 must be reported with revenue code 0900 or 0519
- Each FQHC payment code (G0466 -G0470) must have a corresponding service line with HCPCS codes (list of qualifying visit codes can be found on the CMS FQHC PPS website)
In addition:
- Diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) may qualify as an FQHC visit when furnished by qualified practitioners and relevant program requirements are met. If these services are furnished on the same day as an otherwise billable visit, only one visit is payable.
- HCPCS codes for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and their administration must be reported on the FQHC claim
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME), laboratory services (excluding 36415), ambulance services, hospital-based services, group services, and non-face-to-face services will be rejected when submitted on an FQHC claim
NACHC's Free Webinar on Medicare FQHC PPS
|
Reminder: Outreach and Enrollment Quarterly Reporting
Outreach and Enrollment Quarterly Reporting (O/E QPR) opens on Thursday, July 1, 2014. Submissions will be due in HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHB) on Friday, July 18, 2014 by 11:59pm, ET.
Funding to Support Primary Care Residency Program -HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced awards totaling $83.4 million in ACA funding to support primary care residency programs in 60 Teaching Health Centers across the nation. Residents will be trained in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, geriatrics and general dentistry. The funding will help train more than 550 residents during the 2014-2015 academic year
FFM and Partnership States
Navigator and Certified Application Counselor Recertification Required
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are jointly in the process of updating last year's course, training curriculum and exam. All Navigators and certified application counselors (CACs) will be required to complete the recertification training prior to the next open enrollment period. The updated curriculum training for recertification will be made available late July to early August. Look for additional information on the process for training completion and recertification in July
Enroll America Conference Draws Over 900 Attendees
The 2014 State of Enrollment: Getting America Covered conference held June 16-18, in Washington D.C., was an enormous success! Attendees from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam participated in two days of workshops and plenary sessions to improve outreach and enrollment in health coverage around the country. Several workshops of note focused on: Effective O/E Strategies in an Open Enrollment Period; Telling Your Stories with Data; and Health Insurance Literacy: Helping Consumers Understand their Coverage Options. For those enrollment assisters not able to attend the conference, the workshop presentations and plenaries have been posted on the Enroll America website. The full conference brochure is online as well. The site also includes a compilation of lessons learned during the initial open enrollment period and best practices to replicate as organizations continue to connect Medicaid and CHIP eligible populations to coverage and plan for future marketplace open enrollment periods, as well as a full set of issue briefs and fact sheets from the Best Practices Institute.
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
|
|
***
In preparation for open enrollment, starting November 15, 2014, Maryland Health Connection's Training Department is in the process of developing a training schedule for the MD HBX. MD HBX is the new system that will be utilized by consumer assistance workers, to include Certified Application Counselors (CAC), to assist consumers with the application process for enrollment into healthcare coverage through Maryland Health Connection. We are extending the opportunity for Application Counselor Sponsoring Entities to reserve training space to train the CACs in their organization. Training is scheduled to begin October 6, 2014 - November 11, 2014. Training will consists of a required online training, through the learning management system, which will serve as a prerequisite to the classroom hands on training. The online training will include topics such as: application entry; enrollment and intake/eligibility; functionality of the MD HBX system; and an overview of the MD HBX Consumer and worker portal. The one day, hands on classroom training will simulate real life family situations which are often complex. Organizations and participants should plan for a seven hour day to complete the classroom training which will consist of 6 hours of training with a one hour break. As stated earlier, the MD HBX classroom training is hands on and will require each participant to access a computer either through a computer lab with internet access or a meeting room with wifi access for each CAC to connect to using a laptop provided by their organization. Classes should not exceed 16 participants per training session. The priority is to train individuals who have met all the requirements to become a CAC. We are in the process of transitioning the required CAC 3-day webinar into an online training format in which it will be accessible on the new learning management system for new applicants who are seeking to become certified and sit for the CAC final exam. Please note, if organizations do not provide space to train their CACs, the CACs will be subject to travel to training locations during the dates and times scheduled by MHC. As of now, we do not have a training schedule for the CACs. Trainers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, so we would like to have organizational availability to
mhc.trainingsupport@maryland.gov no later than COB July 31, 2014. If you would like to schedule a CAC MD MBX hands on training session at your organization, please send the following information to mhc.trainingsupport.com: the name and address of your organization; the number of training participants; if training will be held in a computer lab with individual workstations or a meeting space with laptops; and the start and end time of the training room reservation. Please feel free to contact mhc.trainingsupport@maryland.gov if you have any questions regarding this email.
Reminder: Outreach and Enrollment Quarterly Reporting
Outreach and Enrollment Quarterly Reporting (O/E QPR) opens on Thursday, July 1, 2014. Submissions will be due in HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHB) on Friday, July 18, 2014 by 11:59pm, ET.
ACSE Monthly Status Meeting
Monday, July 28th 10am to 11:30am
Conference Call 877-431-1883 code 370 252 4147
Canceled Event: Change Agent Newtwork System Demo @ Tue Jul 1, 2014 10am - 12pm
*No date has been set yet
Please email questions related to this event to: joyce.thompson@maryland.gov
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
|
|
New HRSA Funding Opportunities Announced
Last week the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced two new funding opportunities - the new FY2015 Service Area Competition (SAC) and an announcement on supplemental Ryan White Funding. With regards to the SAC announcement, there have been numerous changes in the review process and criteria. Therefore, it is critical that every Health Center whose project period is up for competition in FY2015 closely review the new SAC as soon as possible and take necessary compliance-related actions to ensure a smooth and effective project renewal process. For more information on both announcements, check out the Policy Shop blog.
Promoting Preventive Health Services for Women (HRSA-14-084) Funding Opportunity
HRSA is accepting applications for the Promoting Preventive Health Services for Women initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to improve women's health across the life course by increasing the use of clinical preventive services. Applications are due in Grants.gov no later than Monday, July 21, 2014 by 11:59pm, ET.
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children Access to Care Grants
Application Deadline: August 18, 2014
Matching grants to support community-based initiatives in the U.S. providing dental care to underserved/limited access children. Special consideration will be given to programs that have demonstrated success and/or have potential for replication in other communities.
Funds may be used to cover:
- Child oral health care
- Costs of clinic supplies and instruments
- Patient/parent education materials
- Take-home supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.)
- Education and/or outreach to recruit dentist participation in program activities
- Other activity with clear, direct impact on pediatric oral health care
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Funding for hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare, and education to those who are underserved.
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
|
|
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.
|
|
Improving Medicaid Services for Children: Spotlight on Connecticut
Connecticut Medicaid has worked to improve delivery of behavioral health services to children by supporting evidence-based practices and developing an Enhanced Care Clinics (ECC) designation for select behavioral health providers. These clinics receive higher Medicaid reimbursements for guaranteeing timely access, coordinating care, and committing to providing improved quality of care. According to William Halsey, Director of Integrated Care at the Department of Social Services, "Since the implementation of the ECCs, there has been significant improvement in access to timely outpatient appointments [for children]." Learn more about Connecticuts efforts to improve Medicaid for children and adolescents on NASHP's new " Resources to Improve Medicaid for Children and Adolescents map.
New State Refor(u)m Map on Pregnancy Services in CHIP
In some states, pregnant women who are not eligible for Medicaid may be covered for pregnancy services by CHIP. State Refor(u)m's latest map explores state CHIP programs that cover pregnancy services. The map includes information about CHIP coverage authorities, eligibility levels, number of women enrolled in the program, cost-sharing and more in the states that offer this coverage.
|
|
Health Observances This Week
|
The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Yet, some of us don't consider the necessity of protecting our skin.
It's just smart to take good care of your skin
The need to protect your skin from the sun has become very clear over the years, supported by several studies linking overexposure to the sun with skin cancer. The harmful ultraviolet rays from both the sun and indoor tanning "sunlamps" can cause many other complications besides skin cancer - such as eye problems, a weakened immune system, age spots, wrinkles, and leathery skin.
How to protect your skin
There are simple, everyday steps you can take to safeguard your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun.
- Wear proper clothing Wearing clothing that will protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is very important. Protective clothing are long-sleeved shirts and pants are good examples. Also, remember to protect your head and eyes with a hat and UV-resistant sunglasses. You can fall victim to sun damage on a cloudy day as well as in the winter, so dress accordingly all year round.
- Avoid the burn Sunburns significantly increase one's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. It is especially important that children be kept from sunburns as well.
- Go for the shade Stay out of the sun, if possible, between the peak burning hours, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can head for the shade, or make your own shade with protective clothing - including a broad-brimmed hat, for example.
- Use extra caution when near reflective surfaces, like water, snow, and sand Water, snow, sand, even the windows of a building can reflect the damaging rays of the sun. That can increase your chance of sunburn, even if you're in what you consider a shady spot.
- Use extra caution when at higher altitudes You can experience more UV exposure at higher altitudes, because there is less atmosphere to absorb UV radiation.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen Generously apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. The "broad spectrum" variety protects against overexposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The FDA recommends using sunscreens that are not only broad spectrum, but that also have a sun protection factor (SPF) value of at least 15 for protection against sun-induced skin problems.
- Re-apply broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day Even if a sunscreen is labeled as "water-resistant," it must be reapplied throughout the day, especially after sweating or swimming. To be safe, apply sunscreen at a rate of one ounce every two hours. Depending on how much of the body needs coverage, a full-day (six-hour) outing could require one whole tube of sunscreen.
When to protect your skin
UV rays are their strongest from 10 am to 4 pm Seek shade during those times to ensure the least amount of harmful UV radiation exposure. When applying sunscreen be sure to reapply to all exposed skin at least 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
Protecting your eyes
UV rays can also penetrate the structures of your eyes and cause cell damage. According to the CDC, some of the more common sun-related vision problems include cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium (non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva that can obstruct vision).
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat To protect your vision, wear a wide-brimmed hat that keeps your face and eyes shaded from the sun at most angles.
- Wear wrap-around style sunglass with 99 or higher UV blockEffective sunglasses should block glare, block 99 to 100% of UV rays, and have a wraparound shape to protect eyes from most angles.
|
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.
|
|
4319 Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706 | www.machc.com | 301.577.0097
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
