Connections News

The next meeting is planned for the end of April. An invitation will be sent out soon to health center leaders. Please consider joining the conversation to provide direction for you network.

HRSA HCCN Grantee Site Visit

HRSA is visiting each HCCN grantee during the three year project period to have in-person demonstration of grantee progress towards program goals; to enable the Project Officer (PO) and the Bureau to understand in greater detail the challenges and overall vision of the HCCN; to confirm active participation, engagement and oversight; and to confirm HCCN eligibility per the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

On March 25-26, HRSA PO Derrick Wyatt was in Topeka and Lawrence for the KAMU grantee site visit. While here, Derrick met with leadership from the First Care Clinic and the Shawnee County Health Agency to discuss the benefits of membership, share experiences and learn about challenges faced during the grant project. Derrick and members of the project team traveled to Heartland Community Health Care and received a tour of the facility. While there, Derrick solicited opinions concerning successes and challenges from Heartland leadership.

During the exit review Derrick provided some suggestions to help us improve, praised the progress we have made and stated that he has used our model of connecting with the HIT expertise in Kansas (Synōvim) as a best practice.  In all, the visit was very positive and we expect a report within the next 90 days.

The KAMU HCCN Grant Project Team would like to thank First Care, Shawnee County, and Heartland for their time and conversation during the site visit. 

Hot Topics

Kansas eligible professionals now have until 11:59 p.m. (CDT) June 30, 2015, to attest to Meaningful Use for the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program for the 2014 reporting year.

CMS Clarifies PQRS Penalties for Physicians at FQHCs and RHCs

It has been reported that providers that bill Medicare Part B for services outside the FQHC service package will be subject to the PQRS penalties, however, last week, CMS put out further clarification on this issue.

In a recent MLN Matters article, CMS clarified that the PQRS penalties do not apply to those providers who ONLY provide Medicare Part B services at FQHCs or RHCs. However, if a provider provides Part B services at an FQHC or RHC and a non-FQHC/RHC setting, the PQRS penalties do apply.

Please note, the Medicare FQHC PPS payment (or all inclusive rate, if your center has not yet transitioned to the PPS) is not billed on the Part B fee schedule. This would apply only to those services provided outside of the FQHC benefit. 

Read more

 It will be important to watch your payments and make certain the penalty isn't applied.

Educational Opportunities

 

Care Coordination - It Takes a Community

Care coordination is a key strategy to improve the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of healthcare delivery. This session will define the divide between coordinating medical care and in-home social services (long-term services and supports).

Join GPQIN to learn more about involving your community in care coordination and learn from real life success stories from local examples.

Register Now!