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


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. 

May 23, 2016
MACHC SPOTLIGHT

JOIN TOTAL HEALTH CARE & TUERK HOUSE FOR THIS VERY FUN EVENT!
 
Now Total has decided to include the word FUN! Join Total for their Inaugural Community Basketball Shootout and Youth Clinic!
 
There will also have food trucks, guest speakers, local celebrities, local college athletes, free health screenings, free healthy snacks and activities for children, special performances by local dance teams and more!

COME OUT AND JOIN  
 
Saturday, June 18, 2016
9am - 2pm Basketball Courts at Easterwood Recreation Center
1530 N. Bentalou Street | Baltimore, MD 21216
   

National Health Center Week
August 7-13, 2016
Visit the Health Center Week website to access the NHCW Kick-off webinar recording and slides. The webinar featured Health Center leaders from Georgia and Virginia who shared best practices on how to plan and host successful Health Center Week celebrations. Also, be sure to take advantage of support and resources designed to help with event planning and implementation - visit the NHCW website. Plan ahead and inform us, your PCA, about any NHCW Happenings and whether we can assist in coordination of having your Congressman at your event. Remember, this week is the best week to showcase your health center successes.
MACHC HAPPENINGS
  
MACHC EVENTS

(1) 
Outreach & Enrollment Call 
Friday, June 3, 2016
11am- noon
1-866-740-1260 Access 4319483
Who: Outreach Staff
Discuss state updates, best practices, barriers/issues that need attention and provide any support and advocacy where needed.

(2) MACHC Clinical Informatics/Quality/Finance Conference 
Thursday, June 16th, 2016
Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD
Transformation inHealthcare Delivery: Shifting from Volume to Value
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers provides an opportunity for community health centers providers / clinicians and other safety net providers to receive professional development and ongoing education while networking with colleagues in the primary care settings across Delaware, Maryland and other states in the region. Transforming health care payment and delivery systems is essential in order to achieve improvements in health care quality and reductions in costs that are needed to achieve the Triple Aim.  This conference seeks to share information and educate attendees on concepts of volume to value in all four breakout tracks - Finance, IT, Clinical and Quality. This is a conference you will not want to miss!   Register Here
  • OTHER EVENTS

  • (1)  SAMHSA-HRSA Collaborative Grants Call- Tuesday, May 24, at 3 p.m. EST-2016 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) for Paraprofessionals and Professionals Program funds eligible behavioral health paraprofessional and professional training programs to develop and expand the substance use and mental health workforce. Special emphasis is on training to meet the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth at risk for developing or who have a recognized behavioral health disorder. Applications are due July 1.
    Call-in Number:
    1-888-220-3085
    Participant Code:5404141
    Adobe Connect Link

    (2) Take A Stand June 11, 2016
    The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport-BWI
    9:00 am - 1:30 pm  Register Here
    Lunch included
    One-time, FREE workshop on raising your clinic's adult immunization rates while streamlining your practice
     This workshop is a one-stop shop to help you easily implement standing orders in your practice.
     Using standing orders for adult immunizations can help your practice be a leader in quality adult care.
    Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to Plan Health Services in Health Center 

    (3) Webinar: Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Patients
    Monday, June 13, 2016 |8 am HDT / 11 am PDT / 12 pm MDT / 1 pm CDT / 2 pmEDT           Register Now! 
    This 90-minute HRSA webinar aims to build competency to address the behavioral health needs of transgender and gender non-conforming patients in a culturally-appropriate manner and will feature promising practices of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grantees. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights will discuss the proposed nondiscrimination rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

    (4) Program Grantees, With a Focus on Public Housing Primary Care Grantees - Wednesday, May 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST -The use of GIS technology allows Health Center Program award recipients to identify neighborhood needs and assets, explore disparities in health, compare trends within a geographic region, and prioritize the use of limited resources.  This webinar will address Public House Primary Care grantees and the use of mapping software as a tool to analyze and utilize data to better serve residents in and accessible to public housing. Register here

    (5) SAVE THE DATE
    ParkWest's Janie B Geer Scholarship Fund Golf Classic Monday, August 8, 2016
    The Woodlands Golf Course
    2309 Ridge Road, Windsor Mill MD 21244 

    Emergency Preparedness Events: 

    Nearly 300 Zika cases in pregnant women in U.S. and territories
    All of the U.S. infections occurred in women who had traveled abroad or, in rare cases, contracted the virus by infected sexual partners who returned from areas where the Zika is prevalent. In Puerto Rico, the virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes. The CDC is tracking the outcomes of these pregnancies, but reported no data today. At least one infected woman in Puerto Rico miscarried and another in Washington, D.C., had an abortion after imaging revealed the fetus had a misshapen head and brain


    SAVE THE DATE
    MACHC's ICD-400 Training 
    Facilitated by Duane Taylor, CEO MACHC    
    May 26th 2016  10:00 -12:00 p.m. EDT
    A webinar Outlook invite will be sent to Emergency Management staff
    If you would like to be included on the list of invites, please email Aneeqa Chowdhury (aneeqa@machc.com)
    This course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the ICS. This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. These earlier courses are prerequisites for ICS-400.
    While FEMA provides standard course materials, this course is typically coordinated and taught in the field by State or other agencies. It is intended for senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management capacity in an area command or multi agency coordination entity.

    Get to Know Your Regional Coordinators!
    Please get in touch with your Regional Coordinators if you have not already done so and be more active in your Regional Coalition. MACHC has reached out to you in order to make sure you know who your coordinators are and has planned MINI GRANTS as incentives to help with travel for the Coalition meetings.
    You should already have their contacts in emails I have sent within this year numerous times. Please find them below: 
     
    Regions I and II Health Care Coalition 
    [Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington Counties]
    *VACANT*
    Allegany County Health Department
    12501 Willowbrook Road
    Cumberland, MD  21502
    301-759-5238 (Office)
    443-934-2232 (Mobile)
    301-777-2069 (Fax)
    alison.robinson@maryland.gov 

    [Baltimore City; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties]
    *VACANT*
    Harford County Health Department
    120 S. Hays Street, Suite 230 
    Bel Air, MD  21014 
    410-877-1031 (Office)
    443-388-6290 (Mobile)

    Region IV 
    [Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties]
    Kristin McMenamin
    Kent County Health Department
    A.F. Whitsitt Center
    300 Scheeler Road, P.O. Box 229
    Chestertown, MD  21620
    410-778-4861 (Office)
    443-690-3091 (Mobile)
    410-778-4862 (Fax)

    Region V  Emergency Preparedness Coalition
    [Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties]
    *VACANT*
    Office of Preparedness & Response
    Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    300 W. Preston Street, Ste. 202
    Baltimore, MD  21201 
    casey.owens@maryland.gov


    Preparedness Resources 
    September is National Preparedness Month, a time for everyone to plan how to stay safe and communicate during the disasters that can affect your community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed resources that can help you spread the word about preparedness in your community.
    , and public service announcements. 
     
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 

    How Prepared Is Your Community for an Emergency? 

    Download the kit checklist: 

    Family communication and evacuation plan: 


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    *** Look for the latest EP related updates RIGHT HERE!
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News
    Proposal To Reduce Medicare Drug Payments Is Widely Criticized
    An Obama administration proposal to reduce Medicare payments for many prescription drugs has run into sharp bipartisan criticism, suggesting that it is easier to diagnose the problem of high prices than to solve it. Patients' advocates have joined doctors and drug companies in warning that the federal plan could jeopardize access to important medications. Every member of the Senate Finance Committee - 14 Republicans and 12 Democrats - and more than 300 House members have expressed concern. 

    FDA Approves New Nutrition Panel That Highlights Sugar Levels
    The United States plans a major overhaul of the way packaged foods are labeled, the Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday. Serving sizes will be adjusted to reflect how much people actually eat, and for the first time labels will list added sugars. These are the first significant changes since the Nutrition Facts label was introduced more than 20 years ago. They come as an increasing number of Americans battle obesity, diabetes and heart disease and will affect roughly 800,000 products from Coca-Cola and ice-cream to soup and spaghetti sauce.

    Where Dentists Are Scarce, American Indians Forge A Path To Better Care
    Going to the dentist evokes a special anxiety for Verne McLeod. He grew up on the Swinomish Indian reservation here in northwest Washington State in the 1950s and vividly remembers the dentist who visited periodically. The doctor worked from a trailer, and did not bother with painkillers. "They just strapped us down and drilled," said Mr. McLeod, 70. Poor oral health is a scourge on tribal lands across the nation. Indian preschool-aged children had four times the rate of untreated tooth decay as white children in a recent study. Poverty, diet and a decades-long lack of access to good care on remote reservations compound the problem


    HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau recently unveiled a new and improved Title V Information System (TVIS) website.
    Through its web reports, TVIS makes available to the public key financial, program and performance data reported by state Title V programs in their yearly Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Applications/Annual Reports. 

    Cost-sharing, such as copays and deductibles, in healthcare plans offered in the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces increased modestly between 2015 and 2016 according to a new Commonwealth Fund-supported study. The authors of the brief, Changes in Consumer Cost-Sharing for Health Plans Sold in the ACA's Insurance Marketplaces, 2015 to 2016, found that cost-sharing increased for out-of-pocket limits, annual deductibles, and certain brand-name drugs. However, copays for primary care office visits remained constant and copayments for generic drugs dropped by more than 3 percent. The authors note that future cost-sharing increases are likely to be smaller in marketplace plans than in employer-based insurance because of consumer protections in place in the ACA's health insurance marketplaces. 

    Luis Padilla, M.D., has been named the new Associate Administrator for the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW).  Dr. Padilla previously served as BHW's Deputy Associate Administrator. Prior to joining HRSA, Dr. Padilla was senior health policy advisor to the CEO of Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., a federally qualified health center network with over 100,000 patients. A committed advocate for the underserved, Dr. Padilla is a former National Health Service Corps Scholar and NHSC National Advisory 

    The Substance Abuse Service Expansion Awards Quarterly Progress Report (QPR), covering the period of March 1 through June 30, will be made available in the in the Electronic Handbook (EHB) on Friday, July 1, and due on Thursday, July 14. The Substance Abuse Service Expansion website is currently being updated to include frequently asked questions and other resources related to the QPR, and a live question and answer session will be held in early June.  More details will be provided as they become available.

    In this fourth year of recognizing Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions, HRSA congratulates to the 10 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) that have been chosen as Champions in 2015.   These health centers have achieved blood pressure control for at least 70% of their adult patients with hypertension.  
    Blood pressure control is a key priority for the Million Hearts® initiative. Please share the Million Hearts® evidence-based tools and resources with your colleagues and partners.

    Policymakers at both the state and federal level are looking at effective ways to address the current opioid epidemic.  One step in those efforts is a proposed rule from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase the cap on the number of patients a physician can treat using Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) and buprenorphine.  Based on feedback from the health center community, NACHC is submitting comments in support of raising this cap and is also suggesting some additional steps that can be taken to address the epidemic.  If you would like to make comments, please click here.

    Adults aged 18 to 64 in poor physical health who also reported behavioral health conditions (i.e., mental or substance use disorders) had higher total health care expenditures than adults in poor health without behavioral health conditions. View the report.
    State News
    DELAWARE
    State officials on June 1 will begin distributing Zika prevention kits containing condoms, mosquito repellent and thermometers to pregnant women.
    After declaring Monday "Zika Awareness Day" to remind people of the best mosquito prevention techniques, public health officials announced they will be delivering kits to clinics certified to serve families enrolled in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children, known as WIC.
    WIC provides breastfeeding and nutrition information, healthy food and formula and referrals to other healthcare, welfare and social services. There are 11 locationsstatewide.
    Any woman who is pregnant and seeking services through WIC will receive a kit after completing a brief questionnaire regarding travel history and pregnancy status, officials said.
    MARYLAND
    The cost of medical care and lost productively from Zika infections in six southern U.S. states could exceed $2 billion, and that's if only 2 percent of the population in the region becomes infected, according to economic modeling done recently at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
    The financial - and human toll - would be far higher if more people were infected in those states or beyond, a scenario public health officials described as inevitable Monday during a panel of close to three dozen experts. The panel was convened by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, as a fact finding effort.
    Cardin sought the information as Congress debates a request of $1.9 billion in emergency funding for domestic and internatonal response to the mosquito borne virus already causing grave harm largely in Central and South America where pregnant women infected with the virus are giving birth to babies with a disorder called microcephaly that stunts the growth of the brains and heads of fetuses.
    "This should not be viewed as a cost but as an investment," said Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, an associate professor of international health who did the modeling of lifetime costs of an epidemic that lasts less than a year. Lee called the estimate "conservative."
    Other panel members from government, private and academic posts around Maryland said funding for the short and long-term response to Zika now came from existing state and federal public health budgets. As a result, the resources of local health departments are being stretched, for example, as they try to disseminate the latest information to women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant and provide safety kits including bug repellent, larvicide and condoms, as Zika can also be sexually transmitted. State agriculture officials also are straining their budgets to spray for adult mosquitoes and target larvae.

    Maryland Health Connection has cut by 40 percent the number of Marylanders who were eligible for private insurance coverage when the state marketplace began three years ago. That leaves about 240,000 individuals who remain eligible for private coverage through MarylandHealthConnection.gov. An estimated 405,000 people were eligible when the marketplace began. That does not include those eligible for Medicaid. "With the help of many partners and sister state agencies, we've made sizable progress in reducing the number of uninsured Maryland families," said Carolyn Quattrocki, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which administers MarylandHealthConnection.gov. "And we have many plans in the works to enhance consumer assistance and make even greater progress in the coming open enrollment that begins Nov. 1." Maryland achieved one of the fastest growth rates year-over-year of any state in the country for 2016, according to the blog ACASignups.net. The state also made major gains in coverage for groups that had lacked health insurance - helping to cut Maryland's uninsured rate by half for African-Americans and Hispanics and tying for ninth nationally among all state exchanges in the share of young adults covered in private plans. Including Medicaid, more than 1 million Marylanders have been enrolled in health coverage through Maryland Health Connection. Nine in 10 people insured through the marketplace have received financial support to lower or waive their costs in private insurance or Medicaid.
    In 2015 and 2016, MHBE asked the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) to analyze the geographic distribution of Maryland's remaining eligible population. SHADAC is a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a part of the Health Policy and Management Division of the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. The research center applied MHBE's enrollment data to 3 Census regions known as PUMAs (Public Use Microdata Areas) to assess how many eligible Marylanders remain. It excluded estimates of unauthorized immigrants and of uninsured workers who declined qualified health coverage from their employer - individuals who would not be eligible for financial assistance under the Affordable Care Act. SHADAC estimated that in 2013 roughly 493,000 Marylanders were eligible for private insurance coverage through the state marketplace because they were uninsured or had individual coverage such as COBRA. After subtracting Marylanders with ineligible immigration statuses as well as workers who declined coverage available through their jobs, about 405,000 remained. As Maryland Health Connection enters its fourth year, an estimated 240,000 are eligible for private qualified health insurance through the marketplace. That figure includes adults under 65 with private non-group health insurance and incomes above 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level who could be eligible for financial assistance through Maryland Health Connection. The next open enrollment begins Nov. 1 for coverage in 2017. People who've experienced a qualifying life event, such as losing other health coverage, may be eligible to enroll prior to that. Also, those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll yearround.
    Finance & Business
    Quarrels have broken out behind the scenes of Anthem Inc.'s $48 billion proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp. as the health insurers seek regulatory approval for their landmark deal, according to a series of letters reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. People on both sides say the squabbles could delay or derail antitrust approvals, which are typically harder to obtain if both parties aren't in sync. While neither company has sought to terminate the merger, the people say-and it doesn't appear in danger of imminent collapse-Anthem and Cigna are bickering on several fronts. 

    President Obama's signature health care law is called the Affordable Care Act, but just how affordable remains an open question even this long after its enactment. One of its provisions that aimed at chipping away health care's high costs is a tax that attempts to remove a hidden subsidy for the most expensive employer-paid health insurance plans.
    The highly controversial 40 percent surcharge on these plans quickly became known as the "Cadillac tax," but its implementation has been anything but quick: Congress has delayed its effective date from 2018 to 2020, given the misgivings many lawmakers have about its wisdom -- and possible effects. Indeed, it's not at all clear that the provision will ever become effective.
    The Republican opposition is based upon the party's overwhelming aversion to everything about Obamacare, and the Democrats' resistance arises from concerns over how the tax will affect employee benefits. Unions are also concerned that health insurance benefit increases they've bargained for in lieu of wage increases will be lost.
    The
    Latest News on ACA

    OUR WORK CONTINUES

    Starting July 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented an interim final rule requiring consumers to prove they had qualifying health coverage for one or more days in the 60 days before their move, unless they are moving from a foreign country or United States territory. Also, moving only for medical treatment or staying somewhere for vacation doesn't qualify them for a Special Enrollment Period.  This interim final rule will not take effect until July 11, 2016, and CMS is accepting comments on the rule through July 5. 

    CMS Assister Webinar Schedule
    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the biweekly assister webinar schedule.  To sign up for the CMS Weekly Assister Newsletter, which includes the webinar schedule, send a request to the Assister Listserv inbox.  Write "Add to listserv" in the subject line and please include the email address that you would like to add in the body of your email.  The next webinars are scheduled:
    • Wednesday, May 25 at 2:00 pm
    Marketplace Announces 2017-2019 Open Enrollment Dates
    • 2017 Benefit Year (OE4): November 1st, 2016-January 31st, 2017 (coming up!)
    • 2018 Benefit Year (OE5): November 1st, 2017-January 31st, 2018
    • 2019 Benefit Year (OE6): November 1st, 2018-December 31st, 2018
    NEW: Ending Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Retroactive Coverage
    On April 1st,  the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance announcing that after March 31, 2016 the Marketplace will no longer be accepting new requests for Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for retroactive coverage back to 2015. All retro SEP requests received after this date will receive a max retro date of January 1, 2016.
    MACHC Conference Call Updates
    Maryland Health Benefit Exchange News:

    At the May 17 meeting covering Chapter 14 (Terminations, Cancellations and Rescissions), MHBE stated that it would provide an update to stakeholders about any edits the Exchange would make regarding two items:
    1. the obligation of carriers to process enrollee requests for termination without the enrollee first notifying the Exchange; and 
    2. how a household's contract and accumulators would be affected if the primary enrollee in a household is terminated from the plan.
    MHBE intends to incorporate the amendments to and additional about these two items as specified below.
    MHBE will continue to accept written comments on Chapters 7 and 14 through Wednesday, May 25. We've extended the date to allow stakeholders additional time to respond to the updated information in this email.
    We thank you for your continued time and partnership.
    1) CARRIER PROCESSING OF ENROLLEE-REQUESTED TERMINATIONS
    • MHBE will amend Chapter 14 to require that carriers must only accept and process whole-household termination requests directly from the enrollee without requiring that the enrollee first notify the Exchange. 
    • At this time, carriers will not be required to accept and process partial household termination requests directly from the enrollee, and the enrollee will be required to notify the Exchange of this request.
    • CMS removed the original explicit requirement that both the Exchange and carriers process any enrollee-requested terminations under 45 CFR 155.430(b)(1)(i) and instead added language at 45 CFR 155.430(e) to allow the Exchange to specify a termination process for itself and carriers that corresponded with the technical and operational capacity and preference of each Exchange. As such, based on feedback from stakeholders, MHBE will amend its original proposed rule and only require carrier processing of whole household termination requests. Partial household termination requests will be processed only by the Exchange given then current technical capabilities of the Exchange and its partner carriers.

    2) TERMINATION OF PRIMARY ENROLLEE AND CONTINUING OTHER ENROLLEE'S COVERAGE: AFFECT ON CONTRACT AND ACCUMULATORS
    The contract:
    • MHBE will amend Chapter 14 to add the following options that carriers may use to ensure that the household's coverage continues seamlessly when the primary enrollee is terminated from coverage for any reason:
      • MHBE proposes that for 2017, a carrier either: 1) continue the contract with the original policyholder but the individual moves to the position of responsible adult in lieu of an enrollee; 2) allow the original policyholder to assign the contract to another enrollee from the original enrollment household who is maintaining their enrollment; or 3) if the carrier cannot currently accomplish items 1 or 2, the carrier must manually apply the household accumulators from the original contract to the new contract with the household members who have maintained coverage when the previous primary enrollee terminated coverage. 
      • MHBE proposes for 2018 and beyond that the carrier use approach 1 or 2, except for certain exceptions listed below where option 3 will remain permissible in 2018 and beyond.
    The accumulators:
    • MHBE will also amend Chapter 14 to address how accumulators should be handled in situations where the primary enrollee is terminated from coverage:
      • MHBE proposes that for all situations, the issuer must apply all amounts contributed to the deductible and out-of-pocket costs under the contract -- regardless of who in the household incurred and accrued the amounts (including from the initial primary subscriber) -- to either the remaining enrollees in the contract (if the contract continues under option 1 or 2 above) or the new contract for the remaining enrolled members (if the contract is new under options 3 above).
    • This language mirrors the final 2017 issuer letter.
    • It is MHBE's understanding that carriers currently continue accumulators within the contract when anyone but the primary terminates, because MHBE has provided approaches whereby the contract may continue uninterrupted despite the primary enrollee's termination, MHBE believes that carriers can apply their current logic to primary enrollee terminations. 
    • MHBE, however, recognizes two exceptions where option 3 above must be permitted in 2018 and beyond to allow carriers to meet the accumulator requirements. These situations are:
      • Where the household is enrolled in a family plan but termination of the primary enrollee -- even if the primary is moved to the responsible adult position -- results in a change in the plan structure such that, under the carriers contract requirements, the remaining enrollees are moved to a child-only plan.
        • MHBE will work with carriers in these situations to build an indicator within the 834 to alert carriers that the accumulators from the original contract should be applied to the new contract.
        • This situation will also be identifiable because the previously enrolled adult is moving to the responsible adult position.
      • Where the terminated member is leaving the tax household completely (ie divorce).
        • If the two new households (i.e., divorced adults with any children that are now under his/her new tax household) elect to enroll in a new plan through an SEP, they would not qualify for the continuing contract accumulators rule.
        • If one of the new households remains under the current contract but the other household enrolls through a new account/plan, the former household would qualify for the continuing accumulators rule but the latter household would not qualify for the continuing accumulators under the new contract. MHBE believes that how households choose to construct themselves is addressed by a court order, not MHBE.
          • If the individual who leaves the original household/contract) and moves to a separate household was the primary enrollee, MHBE will work with carriers to build an 834 indicator for the remaining enrollees in the original contract to indicate that there will be a new primary enrollee. In this situation, MHBE suggests that carriers allow the original primary enrollee/policyholder (one of the original spouses) to assign the contract to the new primary enrollee (the other original spouse)


    Marketplace Announces 2017-2019 Open Enrollment Dates
    • 2017 Benefit Year (OE4): November 1st, 2016-January 31st, 2017
    • 2018 Benefit Year (OE5): November 1st, 2017-January 31st, 2018
    • 2019 Benefit Year (OE6): November 1st, 2018-December 31st, 201

    Join MACHC's next Outreach & Enrollment Call ON FRIDAY, 
    June 3, 2016.
    We took a poll at the past conference call but would like to continue to ask you to submit the following: What would you like to included as part of Maryland & Delaware's Outreach & Enrollment assistance from MACHC? Please send Aneeqa Chowdhury an email at aneeqa@machc.com.

    Maryland--Call Center Note:
    Direct Line for Navigators and CAC to MHBE Call Center--Regarding the Call Center # 844-224-6762 It should be noted that: If you need customer assistance from the call center, CAC's should call this number.
    Grants & Funding Opportunities


    Ongoing Accepted Applications

    Application Deadline: None 
    Eligible state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including health centers, can obtain property that the federal government no longer needs through the Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.

    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.


    Rural Health Funding Opportunities

    Community Response Fund
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral healthcare 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.
    DEADLINE: ongoing basis
    ELIGABILITY: The DentaQuest Foundation makes grants to a variety of organizations that are engaged improving oral health. Grants are not made to individuals.
    CONTACT: Matthew Bond, Grants and Programs Manager: Matthew.Bond@DentaQuestFoundation.org 

    340B Peer-to-Peer Program
    The purpose of the 340B Peer-to-Peer Network is to connect 340B entities and stakeholders with high performing sites, called leading practice sites that have exemplary 340B pharmacy service offerings. These sites serve as guides for covered entities that are interested in improving patient care. This approach provides the opportunity for practice sites to reach their peers and strengthen the 340B program from inventory management to quality care initiatives.
    Sites that receive the status of a 340B Peer-to-Peer recognized site will be asked to dedicate two members of their team to share their expertise and leading practices - for a limited amount of time per month - with other safety-net organizations to help these organizations achieve results and establish sound business practices.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Peer-to-Peer annual stipends of $10,000/year
    ELIGABILITY: Applications must be submitted by a 340B entity listed on the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B database as a participating 340B entity.
    Healthcare Connect Fund
    The Healthcare Connect Fund provides funding to healthcare providers for telecommunications and internet access services, as well as network equipment, at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of the consortium or a stand-alone entity.
    FUNDING AVAILABLE: Participants will receive a flat rate discount of 65%. There is an annual spending cap of $400,000,000.
    ELIGIBLITY: Rural public or nonprofit healthcare providers (HCPs) are eligible. Consortia may be comprised of both rural and non-rural HCPs. All consortia must consist of more than 50% rural participation within three years of receipt of the first funding commitment obtained through the HCF Program. Connections to, and equipment located at, eligible off-site data centers and administrative offices are eligible for support.
    CONTACT: rhc-assist@usac.org

    USAC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program
    Health care providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunications services under the Rural Health Care Program. Health care providers may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth and for monthly Internet service charges.

    FUNDING AVALIABLE: The level of support depends on the HCP's location and the type of service chosen. Health Care Providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunication services under the RHCD program. HCPs may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth.

    As a result of recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action, health care participants may be eligible to receive a 25% discount on their monthly Internet service charges. These services are limited to the monthly Internet net access charge, monthly charges for web hosting and web addresses.
    ELIGIBILITY: Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
    CONTACT: rhc-admin@universalservice.org


    Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Programs
    Wells Fargo supports nonprofit organizations that work on a community level in the areas of human services, arts and culture, community development, civic responsibility, education, environmental consciousness, and volunteerism.
    CONTACT: Ashley Williams -- Community Support Rep -- Wells Fargo
    ashley.l.williams@wellsfargo.com   
     

    Maryland Small Grants Program
    The Maryland Small Grants Program awards funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to poor and vulnerable populations.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Award Ceiling: $50,000
    CONTACT: Amy Kleine, Program Director, Basic Human Needs
    410-654-8500, ext. 268
    Email: akleine@hjweinberg.org


    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health
    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health will support innovative population health programs and policies that work to improve health at the community level, including the use of new financial models to achieve cost effective solutions.
    CONTACT: Phone: 248.643.9630


    Commonwealth Fund Health Grants
    The Commonwealth Fund promotes a high performing healthcare system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including people with low-incomes, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
    The Fund supports independent research on healthcare issues and makes grants to improve healthcare practice and policy. The Commonwealth Fund actively seeks to support projects on innovative approaches to addressing problems within its areas of focus.
    CONTACT: Email: grants@cmwf.org
    Phone: 212.606.3800


    USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program
    The USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees for essential community facilities in rural areas. Priority is given to healthcare, education, and public safety projects. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve facilities.
    AVALIABLE FUNDING: Amount varies. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.
    CONTACT: Bill McGowan, State Director
    1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200
    Dover, DE  19904
    Voice: (302) 857-3580 www.rd.usda.gov/de
    www.rd.usda.gov/md
    PCMH Corner 
    Free PCMH Technical Assistance is Available through NCQA's Government Recognition Initiative Program (GRIP) Register here
    The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) Live Open Forum will address questions related to PCMH 2014 standards, the application, and survey process. NCQA staff will respond to your questions. You may attend the Open Forum as many times as you need.
    Clinical Quality 
    NACHC Webinars to Improve Compliance, Finance, Operations
    The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is offering several webinars to support health centers in making the best of the present, remain in compliance and prepare for the future.  There is no fee for any of the webinars, but registration is required.  
    For a FULL List of Webinars, CLICK HERE 
    1. The FQHC Medicaid PPS: Digging Deeper; Tuesday, May 24, 3:00 pm ET
      This webinar will expand upon topics discussed during the May 10 PPS webinar by delving into implementation issues as well as providing recent developments from the field. 
    2. Value in Health Care: Payer Perspectives for FQHCs; Thursday, June 2, 3:00-4:00 pm ET
      Panelists from both public and private payers will discuss their organization's goals, how they define "value," and what their organization is doing to promote value-based care. In addition, the panelists will share their perspectives on how health centers contribute to the Triple Aim (improving patient experience and population health while reducing system costs) and considerations for health centers as they think about the future.
    3. Federal Reproductive Health Statutes and Regulations; Friday, May 27, 2:00 pm, ET
      Jacki Leifer of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell will review relevant federal statutes, regulations and grant requirements related to reproductive health that apply to FQHCs.
    4. Ask the Experts Webinar Series: State Policy & Behavioral Health 
      • Behavioral Health Integration--Tuesday, June 14, 2PM ET
      • Substance Use Disorder--Tuesday, June 21, 2PM ET
      • Behavioral Health Workforce--Tuesday, June 28, 2PM ET
      • Behavioral health experts will speak to state health policy challenges and opportunities related to behavioral health integration in health centers
    2016 Maryland Patient Navigation Network Annual Meeting & TrainingMaryland Patient Navigation NetworkTuesday, June 14, 2016 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (EDT)                 Towson, MD
    Register Here
    Benefits Include:
    • Hearing from national and local speakers that are experts in topics pertaining to patient navigation and cancer care 
       
    • Learning about resources available to cancer patients and their families
       
    • Networking with other navigators across the state
       
    • Certificates of attendance will be distributed
    Health Observances This Week
     
    Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning booths or sunlamps. The most dangerous kind of skin cancer is called melanoma.
    The good news? Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it's found and treated early. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to prevent skin cancer or detect it early on.
    Make a difference: Spread the word about strategies for preventing skin cancer and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.
    How can Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month make a difference?
    We can use this month to raise awareness about skin cancer and help people take action to prevent or detect it, both at home and in the community.
    Here are just a few ideas:
    • Encourage families to adopt good habits together, like wearing sunscreen and limiting their time in the sun.
    • Motivate teachers and administrators to teach kids about the harm of UV radiation and why it's important to protect yourself.
    • Identify youth leaders in your community who can talk to their peers about taking steps to prevent skin cancer.
    • Partner with a local hospital, state fair, or similar organization to host a skin cancer screening event.
    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.

    Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers | | aneeqa@machc.com |