TA for Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing, SAC Project Period Extensions in FY 2021, and More! HRSA PHC Digest

A Newsletter from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA BPHC Primary Health Care Digest

May 12, 2020

today-with-macrae

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Next week’s Today with Macrae session will focus on COVID-19 and funding updates.

Tuesday, May 19
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of the session*
Call-in: 800-369-1724
Passcode: 3620392
*NOTE: This link will be accessible only to the first 1,500 participants. If you cannot log in for the visual portion, please still call in!

Please also save the date for another session:

Thursday, June 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET

Missed our most recent Today with Macrae calls? We post the recordings and transcripts on our COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage as soon as we’re able.


covid-19

Technical Assistance for Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) Supplemental Funding for Health Centers
HHS awarded nearly $583 million to 1,385 health centers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and eight U.S. territories to expand COVID-19 testing. HHS Secretary Alex Azar and HRSA Administrator Tom Engels thanked health centers for all they’re doing during the pandemic and announced the funding during last Thursday’s Flattening the Curve call, hosted by The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a HRSA-funded National Cooperative Agreement (NCA). Visit NACHC’s website for the meeting recording and transcript.

HRSA is hosting two question and answer (Q&A) sessions to answer health centers’ questions about developing their FY 2020 Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) (H8E) activities and budgets.

ECT Supplemental Funding for Health Centers Q&A Session
Wednesday, May 13
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 800-857-9804
Passcode: 2207925

ECT Supplemental Funding for Health Centers Q&A Session
Thursday, May 21
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 800-857-9804
Passcode: 2207925

H8E awards are separate grants from the H80 operational grant award, and the H8C and H8D coronavirus awards. This webpage describes how award recipients can add the H8E grant folders to their HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) portfolio.

Technical assistance (TA) is available on the ECT TA webpage. Additional information about the purpose and allowed uses of ECT funds is available on the Coronavirus-Related Funding FAQ webpage.

H8E activity and budget information is due in EHBs by 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 6. The submission requirement will appear in the H8E grant folder, and a pending task will appear in EHBs.


thank-you

Thank You, Nurses!
Today is the final day of National Nurses Week. Thank you to all the nurses who practice at HRSA-funded health centers, as well as those that serve in administrative roles at health centers and organizations that partner with health centers. Your expertise, experience, and excellence make a tremendous difference in the lives of patients across the nation!


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Jump To: COVID-19Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health  |  HIV  | Workforce  | 
               Additional Resources


What's New

Service Area Competition Project Period Extensions in Fiscal Year 2021
HRSA is extending the project periods of the majority of health centers scheduled to complete a Service Area Competition (SAC) in fiscal year (FY) 2021. Health centers whose current 2-year or 3-year project period ends in FY 2021 will receive a 12-month extension with funds and will complete a Budget Period Progress Report (BPR), rather than a SAC, in FY 2021. HRSA will email information to each of the awardees receiving an extension in the coming weeks.

Because of statutory requirements, health centers in a current 1-year project period will still complete a SAC in FY 2021.


Delayed Release of FY 2021 SACs, BPRs, and Look-Alike Renewal of Designations and Annual Certifications
HRSA is also delaying the release of FY 2021 SACs and BPRs, as well as look-alike Renewal of Designations (RD) and Annual Certifications (AC). Expect these documents to start releasing in June. More information will be included in future issues of the Primary Health Care Digest.

Questions? Please use the BPHC Contact Form.


Calendar Year 2021 FTCA Health Center Deeming Applications Reminder
Applications for medical malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) are open in EHBs. All health center and volunteer health professional redeeming applications for FTCA coverage for calendar year 2021 are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, July 13.

HRSA guidance for both new applications (deeming) and renewal of existing coverage (redeeming) for health center staff is available in Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2020-02. Details about coverage for health center volunteer health professionals are available in PAL 2020-03. The HRSA website has more details about the application process, including a recorded webinar.

Need application assistance? Contact Health Center Program Support online or by phone: 877-464-4772, option 1.


Referral of Separated Immigrant Families to Health Centers for Mental Health Assessments and Treatment
HHS has entered into a federal contract with Seneca Family of Agencies to implement a district court’s preliminary injunction that requires the United States to provide mental health services to migrant parents separated at the U.S.-Mexico border who are members of the class action in Ms. JP., et al., v. BARR, et al., No. 18-cv-06081-JAK (C.D.Cal.). Consistent with its mission to enhance and protect mental health, HHS is committed to complying with the court’s preliminary injunction and ensuring that the services the court has ordered are delivered in an effective, efficient, and professional manner. If you missed it, read more in the bulletin we sent last Friday.


COVID-19

New COVID-19 Information Webpage
Today we unveil a new COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage, designed to bring COVID-19 resources together and make it easier for you to find what you need.

  • We consolidated HRSA and Health Center Program COVID-19 related resources, helpful links, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in one place.
  • The FAQs have a more user-friendly and visually appealing design.
  • There are new search and filter features to help you access information in the FAQs.

We will continually update the information on this page, as well as the information on the separate page for FAQs related to COVID-19 funding.


Sheltering In Place, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Healthcare Response
Learn best practices and get resources to respond to domestic violence, support victims experiencing abuse, and promote resiliency in children during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This webinar is presented by HRSA and the HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Speakers include Kimberly Chang, M.D., of Asian Health Services, a HRSA-funded health center in Oakland, CA, and presenters from Futures Without Violence.

Wednesday, May 20
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here


Equitable Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations
The SDOH Academy announces a two-session learning collaborative addressing the health center and community response to disasters and emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ways in which that response must be informed by SDOH. This is a collaboration between 16 HRSA-funded NCAs, one of which founded the SDOH Academy.

  • Wednesday, May 20: Speakers will outline lessons learned from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable and underserved populations.
  • Thursday, June 4: Speakers will describe strategies to develop community engagement in order to enhance health centers’ ability to provide continuous, patient-centered care and resources during a public health emergency.

You can also find additional SDOH resources in the Health Center Clearinghouse.


Submit COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement
HHS will provide claims reimbursement to health care providers generally at Medicare rates for testing uninsured patients for COVID-19 and treating uninsured patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis on or after Tuesday, February 4. Visit HRSA’s COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement site to submit claims.

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Provider Relief Fund Action Needed
Medicare providers who have already received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund are now eligible to apply for additional funds by submitting data about their annual revenues and estimated COVID-related losses via the Provider Relief Fund Application Portal.

Providers who have NOT yet received any payment from the Provider Relief Fund should NOT use the General Distribution Portal. However, providers who have NOT yet received any payments from the Provider Relief Fund may still receive funds in other distributions.

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If you have questions about either claims reimbursement or the Provider Relief Fund, these resources can help:

You can also call the Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522, for TTY dial 711.


CMS Provides Additional Telehealth Flexibilities during COVID-19: Audio-only Medicare Services
CMS recently announced additional telehealth flexibilities including permitting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) to furnish and receive reimbursement for certain audio-only telephone evaluation and management services to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 public health emergency period. For more information, see a recent issue of Medicare Learning Network Matters and CMS’ COVID-19 flexibilities fact sheet for FQHCs and RHCs.

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CMS also updated their video, “Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services,” which answers common questions about the expanded Medicare telehealth services benefit during the COVID-19 public health emergency. New information includes how CMS adds services to the list of telehealth services, additional practitioners that can provide telehealth services, and the distant site services that RHCs and FQHCs can provide. Further, the video includes information about audio-only telehealth services, telehealth services that hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies can provide, along with how to correctly bill for telehealth services.


Resources


Managing Crisis Through Resilient Leadership COVID-19 Resource Packet
Health centers are serving on the frontlines, providing critical health care services in communities. NACHC created this resource to guide leaders during turbulent times.


Financial Preparedness in the Midst of a Crisis Finance Office Hours for Health Centers: Strategies to Manage Operations during COVID-19
NACHC’s next biweekly financial preparedness office hours covers the FY 2020 CARES supplemental funding for health centers. Speakers will suggest approaches on how to submit information regarding your CARES funding activities and budget. Experts will address reporting requirements and respond to questions.

Friday, May 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Preventing Coronavirus Transmission in Ambulatory Health Care Settings
The Joint Commission offers a pre-recorded webinar reviewing the spectrum of clinical presentations of coronavirus and offering specific suggestions for decreasing the risk of transmission in ambulatory health care settings. Topics include:

  • How ambulatory care centers can slow the spread.
  • Managing supplies during a pandemic.
  • Respiratory protection and other PPE.

Field Inspiration Video Series: Health Center Leaders Encouraging Resilience and Finding Inspiration
NACHC invited health center leaders to offer encouragement and inspiration to those leading with courage and innovation on the frontlines of COVID-19. In this video, Doug Spegman, M.D., Chief Clinical Officer at El Rio Community Health Center (Tucson, AZ), reminds us of the proud legacy of community health centers. View other videos in the series.


Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health

National Substance Use Warmline
Through its Substance Use Warmline, the HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) provides free tele-consultation and guidance to clinicians on COVID-related inquiries as they pertain to HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and substance use-related prevention and treatment efforts. These include:

  • Substance use disorder (SUD) evaluation and management
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) care
  • HIV and HCV testing and management

Same-day consultation is available and tailored to individual callers’ practice capacity and patient care scenarios, including when doing telemedicine and when teleprescribing. Connect by phone toll-free at 855-300-3595, or upload patient cases securely. The Warmline operates from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday.


HIV PrEP for Patients with SUD
Health center clinicians, please join the NCCC for this interactive webinar that will help you overcome PrEP implementation challenges, assess PrEP eligibility, and identify strategies for addressing side effect and adherence concerns. Participants will:

  • Examine national trends of PrEP use among different populations at risk for HIV, including persons with SUD.
  • Review recent updates on new PrEP medications and dosing strategies, and discuss unique considerations that may arise when counseling persons with SUD.
  • Consider strategies for health centers to increase PrEP education, initiation, and persistence.

Wednesday, May 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here


Getting Started with Telebehavioral Health
HRSA’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA presents a webinar on getting started in telebehavioral health, featuring best practices from experts and lessons learned from peers who have implemented rapid telebehavioral health services.

Wednesday, May 20
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

The Center is also offering health centers the opportunity to join a Community of Practice on telebehavioral health best practices and strategies.

To register for the webinar or apply for the Community of Practice, you must first set up an account on the new HRSA Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA website.


New Study: Assessing Mental Health Among Female Health Center Patients
Comprehensive primary care integration, encompassing mental health services delivery, is a critical component of the Health Center Program’s care model, shown to achieve better health outcomes for patients and communities. A high rate of self-reported depression among women of reproductive age, coupled with an association of mental health conditions and chronic diseases, led HRSA researchers to assess the prevalence of mental health conditions as well as the relationship between depression and physical health. Understanding physical health factors associated with mental health conditions can inform clinical strategies and improve access to mental health screening and treatment in the primary care setting. Learn more about the newly published study and other research articles and access behavioral health resources.


HIV

Postponed: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
In response to COVID-19, HRSA has postponed the FY 2021 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part C Early Intervention Services Existing Geographic Areas Notice of Funding Opportunity (HRSA-21-060, -061, and -062). HRSA plans to host a competition for the entire RWHAP Part C Early Intervention Services Existing Geographic Areas program in FY 2022 when recipients’ business operations are anticipated to be stabilized and the appropriate staff and resources are available to develop quality applications for competition.


Using Technology to Advance Prescribing Practices for PrEP
Join HRSA to learn about implementing and using telehealth as a method to improve access to care for patients living with HIV and PrEP prescribing practices. Learn from the experts as they share lessons learned and promising practices with using technology to maintain the continuity of care and improving access to care for people, regardless of their HIV status.

Thursday, June 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here


HIV PrEP for Patients with SUD
See announcement above.


Workforce

STAR2 Center Turnover Tool Webinar Series
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center invites health center leaders and human resource managers to an upcoming series exploring:

  • Trends in health care workforce turnover.
  • The financial cost of turnover on health centers.
  • The effect on staff members and patients.
  • Strategies to minimize turnover.

Participants will receive two tools to support their workforce retention efforts. The series kicks off tomorrow and extends into June. Learn more or register now. The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is a HRSA-funded NCA.


SCHOLARSHIP

DUE THIS WEEK: Apply Now to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
Medical and dental school students, do you want to provide care where you’re needed most? We will support you by paying your tuition, fees, and other educational costs and by providing you a living stipend. In exchange, you agree to serve at least two years at National Health Service Corps-approved sites in underserved rural, urban, and tribal communities. Applications are due Friday, May 15. Learn more.


Additional Resources

Network Resource Guide for Health Center Controlled Networks
NACHC produced this resource guide for Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs). It includes up-to-date information about HCCNs across the country that collaborate to leverage health IT and to ensure health centers can improve access to care, enhance quality of care, and achieve cost efficiencies.


Hepatitis C Virus Cost Calculator
The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium’s Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Cost Calculator evaluates the costs and benefits of standard versus enhanced HCV care. Based on an evidence-based model piloted at the Public Health Management Corporation Care Clinic in Philadelphia, PA, this interactive tool uses a numerical value-based model of health center staff training, screening, and treatment regimen to output comparisons in cost, revenue, and cost-benefit return on investment. The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium is a HRSA-funded NCA.


Learning Collaborative: Emergency Preparedness for Community-Dwelling Older Adult
 
Older adults experience unique challenges in navigating community health emergencies and can be disproportionally impacted by events such as heat waves or viral pandemics. The National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NCA, offers a learning collaborative that will encourage health centers to effectively engage with this patient population to promote safety planning and information sharing. Meetings begin in June. Learn more or sign up now.


In case you missed it: Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.

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Technical Assistance & Training

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Visit the training calendar to learn details about or register for events.

Through May 19

Implementing Teledentistry During COVID-19
Hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA), a HRSA-funded NCA
Tuesday, May 12
3:00-4:15 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CDE credit available**

ECT Supplemental Funding for Health Centers Q&A Session
Wednesday, May 13
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 800-857-9804
Passcode: 2207925

Setting the Record Straight Webinar Series (Part 3): Joint Commission Guidance and Resources
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, a HRSA-funded NCA
Wednesday, May 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CME/CNE credit available**

Ag Worker Health 102: Supporting Agricultural Worker Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hosted by The National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NCA
Wednesday, May 13
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Financial Preparedness in the Midst of a Crisis: Finance Office Hours for Health Centers: Strategies to Manage Operations during COVID-19
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NCA
Friday, May 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

UDS Mapper Advanced Topics: Assessing Your Community Using the UDS Mapper
Tuesday, May 19
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Register here

Health Network: A Care Coordination Program for Mobile Patients Including Those with Hypertension
Hosted by Migrant Clinicians Network, a HRSA-funded NCA
Tuesday, May 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Using the Health Center Dental Dashboard for Tracking, Measuring, and Improvement
Hosted by NNOHA, a HRSA-funded NCA
Tuesday, May 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CDE credit available**

Back to Basics: Common Lab Findings in Sickle Cell Disease
Cohosted with the HHS Office of Minority Health
Tuesday, May 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Tuesday, May 19
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the webinar the day of the session*
Call-in: 800-369-1724
Passcode: 3620392
*NOTE: This link will be accessible only to the first 1,500 participants. If you cannot log in for the visual portion, please still call in!

Hepatitis Awareness Month: Providing Care for Patients During COVID-19
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, a HRSA-funded NCA
Tuesday, May 19
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
**1.0 CME/CNE credit available**


Upcoming

Clinicians’ Coffee Chat: Diabetes and Nutrition
Hosted by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a HRSA-funded NCA
Wednesday, May 20
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Standardized Screening for Military Veteran Statu
Hosted by NACHC, a HRSA-funded NCA
Wednesday, May 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Getting Started with Telebehavioral Health
Wednesday, May 20
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
To register for the webinar, first set up an account on the new HRSA Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA website

COVID-19 Dental Clinic Reopening Listening Sessions
Hosted by NNOHA, a HRSA-funded NCA

HRSA Regions 8, 9, and 10
Wednesday, May 20
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

HRSA Regions 1, 2, 3, and 5
Thursday, May 21
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

HRSA Regions 4, 6, and 7
Friday, May 22
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Sheltering In Place, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Healthcare Response
Hosted by HRSA and ACF
Wednesday, May 20
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Improving Diabetes Care Quality in Rural Communities
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders, a HRSA-funded NCA
Thursday, May 21
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

ECT Supplemental Funding for Health Centers Q&A Session
Thursday, May 21
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Join the webcast the day of the session
Call-in: 800-857-9804
Passcode: 2207925

HIV PrEP for Patients with SUD
Hosted by the HRSA-funded National Clinician Consultation Center
Wednesday, May 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Structural Competency
Hosted by Health Outreach Partners, a HRSA-funded NCA
Wednesday, May 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Taking Action to Change: Brief Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Better Health Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NCA
Tuesday, June 2
2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here

Using Technology to Advance Prescribing Practices for PrEP
Thursday, June 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Thursday, June 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Access details coming soon

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.