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
    
July 21, 2014 
MACHC HAPPENINGS

MACHC EVENTS

  

(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) Outreach Team Conference Call

Friday, July 25th from 11 am - 12 pm EST

Call in 1-866-740-1260 Access code: 4319483

d in shared 

 

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

 
(5) 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) 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.
     
    (2)  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.
     

    (3) 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). 

      

    (4) 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. 
    View more information and register for the webinar.

     

    (5) 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 ([email protected]) with any questions on this webinar. 

     
    (6) 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

     

    (7) 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 [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. 

    MACHC SPOTLIGHT
    You've asked and we answered!

    As a part of MACHC's newly formed Shared Services offerings, we are pleased to welcome Lee Ann Eckert of Mid-Atlantic Recruiters recruitment services to our members. You will now have the benefit of a local recruitment firm to assist you with clinical and non-clinical provider placement at a substantially reduced rate! Bernadette Johnson will be reaching out to you for the contact information of your Human Resources designee to help facilitate communications with Mid-Atlantic Recruiters.  Lee Ann's contact information is [email protected] and her number is 410-833-2060 x9741.





     
    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   

    Celebrating America's Health Centers: Local Engines for Healthier Communities is August 10-16. Now is the time to  start planning and POSTING your events for this year's celebration. Access tools and resources on the NHCW website include best practices to recruit local event sponsors, event ideas, fact sheets, and  media tools and templates. 
    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
    National News

    HHS announces availability of $11 million to better integrate HIV services into community health centers 

    HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced today the availability of $11 million, through the Affordable Care Act and the Secretary's Minority AIDS Initiative Fund, to support the integration of high-quality HIV services into primary care through innovative partnerships between health centers and state health departments in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York.  This initiative supports the goals of the Administration's National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

    "Integrating HIV services into primary care settings is critical to delivering on the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and today's announcement creates a great opportunity for collaboration between health centers and health departments," said Secretary Burwell. "Working together, they will be able to better impact the health and lives of men and women living with HIV in a meaningful way."  

     The "Technology Solutions for Smarter Health" grants will be awarded to Community Health Centers nationwide in need of advanced technology to help people get on a path to better health. The grants will enhance technology infrastructure and help centers more easily communicate and share health information with patients through secure electronic messaging. The advanced technology will also provide patients with the ability to view, download and transmit their health information online.

    According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey ACA enrollment assistance programs helped 10.6 million people with their health insurance options during open enrollment. The survey also found that states with their own exchanges or that were working towards their own exchanges received more funding and helped twice as many people as those who opted not to run their own exchange.

    New challenge for Obamacare: Enrollees who don't understand their insurance plans

    New health coverage enrollees are having trouble understanding their new coverage and this could be barrier to the success of the ACA. According the Washington Post: "Health insurance, with its jargon and complicated fee structure, has long been confusing for many consumers, but experts say the literacy gap poses an especially big problem now."

    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has created an interactive decision tool that guides providers through the potential participation options for 2014 based on the May 2014 released notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would grant flexibility to providers experiencing difficulties fully implementing 2014 Edition certified EHR technology (CEHRT) to attest this year. Providers answer a few questions about their current stage of meaningful use and edition of EHR certification, and the tool displays the corresponding options proposed in the NPRM. Under this proposal, valid only for the 2014 reporting year, providers would be able to use 2011 Edition CEHRT for either Stage 1 or Stage 2, would have the option to attest to the 2013 definition of meaningful use core and menu objectives, and use the 2013 definition Clinical Quality Measures. The proposed rule also includes a provision that would formalize CMS and ONC's recommended timeline to extend Stage 2 through 2016. If finalized, the earliest a provider would participate in Stage 3 of meaningful use would be 2017.Comments must be submitted by July 21, 2014 to be considered.

    NACHC Advocacy Resources in Spanish

     

    �Sea un defensor de centros de salud!

    �Qu� es un defensor? �Es alguien que expresa su voz! Expresa tu voz y marca una diferencia en el bienestar de tu comunidad - s� un defensor de los centros de salud. Haz clic aqu� para a�adirse a la lista para recibir comunicaciones semanales sobre los centros de salud, y aprende m�s sobre la defensa de los centros de salud aquí. �Gracias por apoyar los centros de salud!

     

    Receive Health Center Updates in Spanish

    Do you support Health Centers and access to high-quality, low-cost care? Do you or someone you know prefer to receive communications in Spanish? Sign-up today to receive Health Center alerts and updates from the Campaign for America's Health Centers in Spanish, and check out some of the Spanish language Health Center Advocacy resources here. Thank you for supporting Health Centers.

    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. 

    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. 

    State News
    DELAWARE
    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
    MARYLAND

    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.

     

    Finance & Business

    HHS Again Delays SHOP Exchanges for Small Businesses

    Last month, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced that 18 states, including Pennsylvania, will further delay the employee choice model until 2016. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires each Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), the exchange model for small businesses, to provide the employee choice model, where the employer chooses a level of coverage and a contribution amount, and employees then select any plan at that level. The "employee choice model" was previously delayed until 2015.
     
    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. 
     

    Case Study: Bringing Accountable Care to the Safety Net

    A new Commonwealth Fund case study describes how a large public safety-net health system comprised of hospitals and health centers has moved to accountable care through four major strategies:  

     

    • Establishing medical homes
    • Entering into alternative payment arrangements with managed care organizations
    • Launching a care management program for complex patients
    • Establishing a partnership with a tertiary care institution

    The case study describes how the organization is transforming health care delivery for the vulnerable populations it serves.  

     
    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 [email protected]. 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

    Medicare FQHC PPS webinar from last week available here
    The
    Latest News on ACA
     
    OUR WORK IS NOT OVER

     

     

     

    Webinar on Wednesday, July 23rd on how you can become a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) organization in a state with a Federally-facilitated Marketplace or a State Partnership Marketplace. If you are interested in becoming a CAC organization but were previously determined to be ineligible, we encourage you to attend the webinar to receive clarification on eligibility requirements. We also encourage you to submit questions in advance regarding the CAC program to [email protected].

    What:                          How to Become a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Organization Webinar for Champions for Coverage

    Who should attend:  Primarily for organizations who have joined the Champions for Coverage program and National Stakeholders and organizations interested in learning more about becoming a Certified Application Counselor organization to assist with Marketplace Enrollment.

    When:                         Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. ET

    How:                           Webinar link: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/c4c72314/

                                        Participant Number: 1-800-837-1935

                                        Conference ID: 54119588

    For more information on the Certified Application Counselor (CAC) program and basic eligibility criteria, visit: http://marketplace.cms.gov/help-us/cac.html.

    Please feel free to forward this invitation to interested organizations in your community. We look forward to seeing you there!

     

    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. 

     

    Medicaid and Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment Options for States - The National Conference of State Legislatures produced the Medicaid and Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment Options for States Report to discuss outreach and enrollment requirements under the ACA and highlights common challenges, and promising outreach and enrollment strategies and options.

      

    Weekly Outreach and Enrollment Newsletter -The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) produce theCMS Weekly Assister Newsletter. This weekly Newsletter is the best resource for O/E staff to stay up-to-date on information on health insurance marketplace changes, frequently asked questions, and general advice.
    To sign up for this Newsletter, send a request to the CAC inbox at [email protected] and write "Add to listserv" in the subject line.

     

    New Resource Helps You Help Consumers Resolve Inconsistencies to Keep or Get Coverage 

    A new resource to get "all hands on deck" to help consumers resolve data inconsistencies that may jeopardize their ability to retain or obtain health coverage has been developed by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). Starting in late July or early August, subsidies could be reduced or terminated for hundreds of thousands of consumers who enrolled in health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. To avoid having their subsidies go down or end, consumers must send in documents to verify their income and/or citizenship or immigration status. Navigators, certified application counselors and others helping consumers with eligibility and enrollment in states using the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) can play a critical role in ensuring that consumers can maintain their coverage. 

    Affordable coverage options are available in the Health Insurance Marketplace for immigrant families. If you've recently moved to the United States and had a change in your immigration status, here are some things you should know about Marketplace coverage:

    1. In order to buy private health insurance through the Marketplace, you must be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present in the United States. See a list of immigration statuses that qualify for Marketplace coverage.

    2. If you recently gained U.S. citizenship or had a change in your immigration status, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. See if you can enroll in a Marketplace health plan outside Open Enrollment.

    3. If you're a lawfully present immigrant, you can buy private health insurance in the Marketplace. You may be eligible for lower costs on monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs based on your income. If you make less than $11,490 ($23,550 for a family of 4) and you aren't eligible for Medicaid, you may still qualify for lower costs on coverage.

    4. If you're a "qualified non-citizen" and meet your state's income eligibility rules, you're generally eligible for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. See a list of "qualified non-citizen" statuses.

    5. In order to get Medicaid and CHIP coverage, you may have a 5-year waiting period. This means you must wait 5 years after receiving "qualified" immigration status before being eligible for Medicaid and CHIP. See a list of exceptions to the 5-year waiting period and other important details.

    6. Many immigrant families are of "mixed status," with members having different immigration and citizenship statuses. Mixed status families can apply for a tax credit or lower out-of-pocket costs for private insurance for their dependent family members who are eligible for coverage in the Marketplace or for Medicaid and CHIP coverage. Family members who aren't applying for health coverage for themselves won't be asked if they have eligible immigration status.

    7. Federal and state Marketplaces, and state Medicaid and CHIP agencies can't require you to provide information about the citizenship or immigration status of any family or household members who aren't applying for coverage.

    8. States can't deny you benefits because a family or household member who isn't applying hasn't provided his or her citizenship or immigration status.

    9. Information that you provide to the Marketplace won't be used for immigration enforcement purposes.

    10. If you're not eligible for Marketplace coverage or you can't afford a health plan, you can get low-cost health care at a nearby community health center. Community health centers provide primary health care services to all residents, including immigrant families, in the health center's service area. 

    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 
    [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]

     

     

    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

    Fiscal Year 2015 Service Area Competition - Additional Area (SAC-AA) for Baltimore, MD (HRSA-15-118) -HRSA released the FY 2015 SAC-AA Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Baltimore, MD service area. For upcoming TA call details and to access additional TA resources, please visit the SAC webpage.  
    Applications are due in Grants.gov by Wednesday, August 13, 2014, 11:59pm, ET and in HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHB) by Wednesday, August 27, 2014, 8:00pm, ET.   
    HRSA will hold a TA call for potential applicants on Thursday, July 24, 2014, 1:00pm-2:00pm, ET.  View more information and resources for the SAC-AA opportunity 

     

    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 
    HRSA has announced the availability of funds for health centers that have been recognized as PCMH by Thursday, July 1, 2014. HRSA will award the supplemental base awards to health centers based on information on the PCMH Webpage. Please check the PCMH Webpage to verify that your health center's information is correct no later than Friday, July 11, 2014

     

    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 
    Creating Change in Early Prenatal Care Entry
    A Peer Learning Conversation.
    Session notes are now available from the National Academy of State Health Policy's (NASHP) call that showcased best practices from health centers which have demonstrated continued success in supporting early prenatal care entry.
     

    Impact of New Federal Guidelines on Health Center Family Planning Services Examined

    A new report issued by George Washington University examines the potential impact of comprehensive federal guidelines aimed at improving the quality of family planning services on the nation's Community Health Centers. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) was extensively involved in the development of the guidelines, along with highly experienced front-line health center clinicians. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Population Affairs issued the guidelines in April 2014. The guidelines are designed to ensure that high-quality family planning services become an integral part of comprehensive primary health care. 

     

       

    Working Together to Manage Diabetes Toolkit 

    The National Diabetes Education Program released the updated  Working Together to Manage Diabetes Toolkit,designed to empower pharmacists, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists, and other providers to deliver more integrated care for patients with, or at risk for, diabetes. The Toolkit features a comprehensive, easy-to-use guide, a customizable PowerPoint presentation, and user-friendly patient fact sheets and checklists for providers and consumers. 

     

    Health Observances This Week

     

       

    July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, an observance intended to raise awareness and improve understanding of birth defects of the head and face. Common craniofacial birth defects include orofacial clefts (cleft lip, cleft palate, or both), craniosynostosis (when the skull sutures join together prematurely), and anotia/microtia (when the ear is missing or malformed).

    This year, CDC highlights research on the association between smoking during early pregnancy and orofacial clefts. Although the causes of most orofacial clefts are unknown, the 2014 Surgeon General's report confirmed that maternal smoking during early pregnancy can cause orofacial clefts in babies (1). In the United States, approximately 7,000 babies are born with orofacial clefts each year (2). Many of those birth defects could be prevented if women did not smoke during early pregnancy.

    Orofacial clefts occur very early in pregnancy. Health-care providers should encourage women who are thinking about becoming pregnant to quit smoking before pregnancy or as soon as they find out that they are pregnant. Additional information regarding National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month is available at http://www.nccapm.org/about.html.

    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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