What's New
Update to Final Rule, Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications
HHS released the final rule, Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications, on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. HHS is delaying the effective date of the final rule, Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications, to Monday, March 22.
NEW UDS Resource – Outreach and Enrollment Assists Reporting
Including responses to questions related to Outreach and Enrollment assists, this new webpage provides guidance on what qualifies for UDS reporting, health insurance coverage options, and where to report this information in the UDS.
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340B Recertification Takes Place February 1-March 1
Covered entities that do not recertify by the deadline of Monday, March 1, will be terminated from the HRSA 340B Program starting on Tuesday, March 2. They will require a new registration and will not be eligible to participate in the 340B Program until July.
To recertify, Authorizing Officials and Primary Contacts must first set up user accounts by visiting the HRSA 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS) and choosing “I am a participant.” It is the covered entity’s responsibility to ensure they have created their accounts before recertification to allow successful completion of the process. For questions or assistance, email the 340B call center or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET).
FY 2021 Health Center Controlled Networks Non-Competing Continuation Progress Reports Now Available
HRSA has released the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCN) Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) progress report instructions. NCC progress report submissions are due in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) on Thursday, March 18 (5:00 p.m. ET). For more information, including the progress report instructions and technical assistance (TA) resources (including recording of the TA webinar), visit the HCCN TA webpage.
Participate in the upcoming HCCN NCC Q&A session:
Wednesday, January 27
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Call-in: 888-390-0787
Passcode: 8422249
UDS 2020 Reporting Season
The UDS reporting period for calendar year 2020 is underway. All HRSA-funded health centers are required to submit complete and accurate UDS reports by Monday, February 15.
Upon successful submission, we will assign your UDS report to a UDS reviewer who will work with you throughout March to finalize your data submission. We will not allow changes after Wednesday, March 31.
The 2020 UDS Manual and other resources are available on HRSA’s website to help you complete an accurate report. The manual includes an introduction to the UDS, instructions for completing each of the tables, and information on how to submit the UDS through EHBs.
Vaccine National Strategic Plan 2021-2025
Last week, HHS released a roadmap to guide planning towards an optimized immunization system in the U.S. with a 5-year outlook. The Vaccines National Strategic Plan 2021-2025 focuses on policies related to vaccines that are routinely used to prevent diseases in the U.S. across the lifespan of people based on age, health condition, and other risk factors. The Vaccine Plan does not address vaccines for COVID-19.
COVID-19
President Biden Takes Key COVID-19 Actions
In accordance with his National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, President Biden issued a series of executive orders.
FAQs and Resources
We recently added this question to the Vaccines category on our COVID-19 FAQ webpage.
- What considerations apply to health centers’ billing for COVID-19 vaccination?
Other resources on HRSA’s site include our coronavirus-related funding FAQ page and COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners
Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
This is one of two sessions HRSA’s Office of Regional Operations (ORO) will host relating to vaccine confidence. It is specific to Phases 1A and 1B of the rollout (a future session will focus on Phases 1C and 1D).
Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Register here
Integrating Behavioral Health during a Pandemic
Mental health is an important topic for patients living in public housing, particularly during this pandemic. The National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NTTAP, will discuss findings from research on the mental health of public housing residents, and the medical director from La Maestra Community Health Center (San Diego, CA) will discuss their innovative integrated behavioral health program.
Thursday, February 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Protecting Our Communities: The Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccines and Strategies to Combat Health Misinformation
COVID-19 vaccines are a critical tool to help stop the spread of disease and protect our communities. Speakers will provide the latest information about the vaccine, including a discussion about how vaccines work, which ones are currently available, and effective strategies for reaching vulnerable communities. We will also explore the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines and share resources to help the community evaluate social media to know whether the information is likely to be true and if they should share the information.
Migrant Clinicians Network, Inc. presents this webinar in Spanish with simultaneous translation into English. Migrant Clinicians Network is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Thursday, February 4
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Partnering for the COVID-19 Vaccine: Lessons from the Flu-LEAD Project
HRSA, HUD, the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, and the National Center for Health in Public Housing (both HRSA-funded NTTAPs), offer a webinar focused on how health centers can leverage partnerships with housing authorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Speakers will discuss lessons learned from the HUD/HRSA Flu-LEAD (Linkages to End Access Disparities) project.
Wednesday, February 10
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Health Center and Look-Alike COVID-19 Survey
The survey you received on Friday, January 22, is due by 11:59 p.m. your local time today. As always, thank you for sharing your invaluable insights!
Several health centers have asked who should be included in their response to the number of patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Please include both health center patients your health center vaccinated and health center patients who may have received the vaccination elsewhere (if you have a record of the immunization). Also include the count of all other individuals to whom you provided COVID-19 vaccine, with the exception of your staff who are captured in a separate question.
If you have other questions, check out the Survey Tool User Guide, which allows you to quickly “jump” to the instructions for any question.
As a reminder, beginning with the February 5 survey, we’ll remove the two flu vaccine questions (#15 and #16).
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Health Centered on COVID-19
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here’s a recent example:
Jordan Valley Community Health Center (Springfield, MO) has taken an active role in their community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using their HRSA funding, they have sponsored regular community testing events and partnered with local health departments to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Beginning in December 2020, Jordan Valley also became a pilot site for a new monoclonal antibody treatment, bamlanivimab. The therapy is administered via intravenous infusion to COVID-19 patients (12 years or older) with mild to moderate symptoms at high risk of being hospitalized.
As area hospitals became overwhelmed, Jordan Valley started to provide this therapy to help lessen the hospitals’ burden. Most community health centers are not set up to provide an hour-long infusion, plus observation; however, Jordan Valley came up with a creative solution. They repurposed their dental chairs into infusion chairs, allowing patients to comfortably recline during the infusion and observation period. Additionally, they use telehealth to limit staff’s exposure: The provider conducts a physical assessment prior to the infusion, and then the patient communicates with staff virtually during the infusion.
To learn more, read KYTV’s recent coverage of Jordan Valley’s efforts.
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If you’d like to share how your health center is helping your community address COVID-19 through HRSA funding, please contact us via our Health Center Stories inbox. We may share your story in future issues of the Digest or on HRSA social media.
If sharing a photo, please include names of everyone in the picture and make sure each person featured has signed a HRSA Photo Release Form. NOTE: Picture should include ONLY health center staff—not patients!
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Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Unsheltered and Vulnerable Populations during the Pandemic
HRSA’s ORO invites health centers to join a webinar focused on how providers can help persons experiencing homelessness, including those with substance use disorders (SUD). Speakers include leadership from Duffy Health Center in Hyannis, MA.
Thursday, January 28
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Living Through the Pandemic: What CAN You Do?
As we begin a new year witnessing both the ongoing suffering from COVID-19 and a sense of optimism for vaccination efforts, join NHCHC for a coffee chat reflecting on the pandemic and its impact on us as individuals and as a community. Speakers will focus on moral injury and burnout. Participants will be able to share their experiences and share tools for supporting well-being.
Friday, January 29
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Behavioral Health Patients and Staff
The pandemic has forced behavioral health programs to alter many of the traditional tools of behavioral health care delivery at a time when such services within community health centers are in high demand. This webinar, presented by a HRSA contractor, focuses on considering and addressing the behavioral health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday, February 9
3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
HHS Expands Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Eliminates X-Waiver Requirement for DEA-Registered Physicians
HHS recently announced it will publish Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by exempting physicians from certain certification requirements needed to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Read the full press release.
Buprenorphine for Adults with SUD and Co-Occurring Pain
Consultants from the HRSA-funded National Substance Use Warmline will provide a detailed discussion of buprenorphine, which can be used effectively for managing chronic pain in patients with SUD. Speakers will also highlight therapeutic approaches that have evolved recently for initiating buprenorphine. Following this webinar, participants will be able to more confidently assess and manage pain in persons with OUD and other SUD.
Wednesday, February 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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COVID-19 and Behavioral Health
The COVID-19 section includes several webinars on behavioral health and the pandemic.
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HIV
New Mail Order Option for Ready, Set, PrEP Program
HHS’s Ready, Set, PrEP program, which provides free HIV PrEP medication for people without prescription drug coverage, is offering a new mail order option for participants.
By visiting GetYourPrEP.com or calling 855-447-8410, participants can choose to have their PrEP medication mailed to their preferred address or to their health care provider (in participating states). Health care providers can also use the website or call center to assist patients with enrollment, allowing “one stop shopping” at health centers, where a patient can receive PrEP services and then receive their medications by mail. Alternatively, they can choose to have their PrEP prescription filled at a local, participating pharmacy, including using the pharmacy’s mail order program.
Health centers already offer HIV testing and PrEP services, and with this mail order program they now have an additional tool in the toolbox to help those who could benefit from PrEP but don’t have prescription drug insurance. We hope the new, direct mail order through Ready, Set, PrEP will add convenience for patients, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for those in rural areas, thereby increasing access and adherence to PrEP.
For enrollment, visit GetYourPrEP.com; to learn more about PrEP and Ready, Set, PrEP, visit HIV.gov/PrEP.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program
HRSA is accepting applications for the FY 2021 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part C Capacity Development Program. Notice of Funding Opportunity HRSA-21-058 is available in Grants.gov, and applications are due by Friday, February 19. The program aims to strengthen organizational infrastructure to respond to the changing health care landscape and to increase capacity to develop, enhance, or expand access to high quality HIV primary health care services for low income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV. Visit the TargetHIV website for slides and a recording from the recent TA session for potential applicants.
Ending the HIV Epidemic Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar
The event is a collaboration with federal partners from CDC, HRSA, IHS, NIH, SAMHSA, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program at HUD.
Wednesday, January 27
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Workforce
HIT and Job Satisfaction/Burnout
HRSA will deploy a national Health Center Workforce Survey later this year to assess well-being, satisfaction, and burnout. As part of the survey development, a HRSA-funded TA provider conducted a literature review and came to several conclusions:
- Health information technology (HIT), while having many benefits, can contribute to burnout among providers.
- From dissatisfaction with electronic health record (EHR) systems to time spent on clerical tasks associated with EHRs and computerized physician order entries, stress and inefficiency can lead to lower job satisfaction and higher burnout.
- Increasing satisfaction with an EHR system, including workflow redesign to in-visit scribing, can improve HIT-related causes of burnout and loss of job satisfaction.
See the literature review summary for more information.
Community Health Center, Inc. (a HRSA-funded NTTAP) invites health centers to apply for these learning collaboratives:
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Advancing Team-Based Care Learning Collaborative
A 4-month participatory learning experience designed to provide health center staff with transformational strategies and coaching support to advance their models of team-based care. Apply by Thursday, February 11.
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Implementing Postgraduate Residency Training Programs
A 4-month participatory learning experience designed to take health centers from planning to implementation of a residency program. Apply by Thursday, February 11.
Screening and Addressing Social Determinants of Health
This learning collaborative aims to strengthen health center staff knowledge on social determinants of health (SDOH); their impact on unhoused communities; the benefits of screener use; risk stratification of a SDOH screener tool; workforce and SDOH; and the challenges communities are facing with screening tools. It is hosted by NHCHC and other HRSA-funded NTTAPs. Apply by Friday, February 12.
Telehealth Models for Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Development
Join the next session of HRSA’s Telehealth Learning Webinar Series. Participants will learn to identify the challenges associated with telehealth in an underserved urban region and describe how to integrate undergraduate nursing student education into community-based primary care during COVID-19.
Wednesday, January 27
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Advanced Nursing Education – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program
HRSA is accepting applications for the FY 2021 Advanced Nursing Education – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program. It will increase access to physical and mental health care treatment for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Grantees will train sexual assault nurse examiners to practice in rural and underserved health settings. Apply by Wednesday, February 17.
Telehealth
Telehealth Models for Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Development
See the announcement above.
Cervical Health Awareness Month
TODAY! Diagnosing HPV-Related Cancers, Screening Guidelines Development, and Improving Screening Measures
Hear experts discuss the role of primary care providers and dentists in diagnosing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer including via telehealth; an overview of the development of American Cancer Society’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines; and the steps one health center is taking to improve their screening measures during this unusual year.
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Register here
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