What's New
Deadline Reminder: Service Area Competition Applications for April 1 Starts
Service Area Competition (SAC) HRSA-22-005 applications are due in:
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Grants.gov: Tuesday, September 7, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks: Thursday, October 7, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
Emergency Preparedness Information Session with CMS
Is your emergency preparedness plan solid and up to date? Have you tested it lately? Emergencies can come in many forms—a virus, wildfire, extreme heat, earthquake, floods. Are you preparing for the kind of care patients will need in these kinds of emergencies? As we experience more natural disasters and crises, let’s be best prepared to meet patient needs regardless of the emergency. Bring your lunch and join HRSA and the CMS Rural Health Clinic/Federally Qualified Health Center Office when we explore health center emergency preparedness planning in compliance with federal, state, and local emergency preparedness requirements.
Wednesday, September 15
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Counting Visits in the Uniform Data System
Stay informed about how to report visits in the Uniform Data System (UDS). Join this 2021 UDS reporting TA webinar for a detailed overview of what counts as a visit for UDS reporting purposes (in-person and virtual/telehealth). We will also cover how UDS data are interrelated and how to report treatment and other services provided to health center patients. View the full 2021 UDS reporting webinar schedule.
Wednesday, September 15
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Register here
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Using American Rescue Plan Funds to Build Health Center Value-Based Payment Capability
This document, developed by NACHC, provides guidance on ways that health centers can use American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to develop and expand their value-based payment capabilities. Areas of focus for short-term investments include improving data and IT, integrating services, and improving access and health equity.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests over $19 Million to Expand Telehealth Nationwide and Improve Health in Rural, Other Underserved Communities
Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced key investments that will strengthen telehealth services in rural and underserved communities and expand telehealth innovation and quality nationwide. Read more.
Contacted Health Center Program Support? Rate Our Service
Whether you've had a pleasant experience or feel we could do better, the Health Center Program Support team would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the customer service survey embedded in the auto-generated email you receive after we resolve your issue or complete your request.
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Help Spread #WellChildWednesdays to Encourage Parents to Keep Up with Pediatric Checkups and Immunizations
Like, retweet, and share @HRSAgov Twitter and Facebook messages (including our most recent tweet) with the hashtag #WellChildWednesdays or create your own message using this hashtag. The last one of the series will be shared tomorrow, August 25, providing a reminder that COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
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COVID-19
FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine
The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. Read the press release.
The first EUA, issued in December, for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older was based on safety and effectiveness data from a randomized, controlled, blinded ongoing clinical trial of thousands of individuals.
To support the FDA’s approval decision yesterday, the FDA reviewed updated data from the clinical trial which supported the EUA and included a longer duration of follow-up in a larger clinical trial population.
See FDA’s page on Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots
Last week, HHS public health and medical experts released a statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots. The initial focus will be on the earliest recipients of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). Information about the booster shots for those who received Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine is forthcoming.
OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard: Clinical, Operational, and Compliance Impact for Health Centers
This archived webinar, hosted by NACHC, provided an overview of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard and a discussion of COVID-19 safety precautions that recognize workforce fatigue. Watch it to learn about finding the appropriate balance between regulatory requirements and workforce capacity.
Health Center COVID-19 FAQs
We continue to update our COVID-19 FAQs webpage. We recently added this question in the Vaccinations category:
Can health centers require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Health centers across the nation have distinguished themselves in responding to the current pandemic. Here’s a recent example:
Missouri Health Center Brings COVID-19 Vaccines to City Hall and Local Neighborhoods Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, Inc. (Kansas City, MO) employs creative approaches to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines—including by connecting with people waiting for services at City Hall and canvassing door-to-door!
Last week, the health center set up their mobile clinic at Grandview City Hall (see picture) to reach people visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Jackson County Collection Department. Unvaccinated visitors were able to get a COVID-19 vaccine while they waited to renew their driver’s licenses or pay their taxes.
Samuel U. Rodgers also increased their reach by canvassing door-to-door in local neighborhoods and providing education about the vaccines with their mobile clinic parked nearby. They have vaccinated over 200 residents over the past month.
“[Our objective] is to educate our community on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19…communities outside of our local service are becoming increasingly aware of our outreach,” shares Rory Kirk, a community advocate at Samuel U. Rodgers. “I believe we are making a difference with communities that have been historically excluded from access to health care.”
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How is your health center helping your community address COVID-19? Send your story to our Health Center Stories inbox. We are especially interested in hearing about efforts to:
- Promote equity in vaccine distribution and boost vaccine confidence.
- Address behavioral and mental health issues associated with the pandemic.
We may share your story in future issues of the Digest, on Today with Macrae webcasts, or via HRSA social media. If sharing a photo, please include a high-resolution image along with the names of everyone in the picture, and make sure each person has signed a HRSA Photo Release Form.
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These COVID-19 related items ran in previous communications from the Bureau of Primary Health Care.
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Changes to Health Center COVID-19 Survey
Given the changing nature of the pandemic, we need to add some new questions to the survey. We also determined that we can remove two questions. These changes will become effective with this Friday’s (August 27) survey. Read the details in our bulletin from last week. We are not, at this time, making any changes to the survey addendum.
CDC Guidance on Additional COVID-19 Vaccine for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
Please see our bulletin from last week for information about the CDC’s updated recommendations. See the recording and slides from last week’s CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call on the topic.
Hot Shot: What's the Deal with Delta?
The National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) will co-host a webinar with HUD on how to collaborate with public housing agencies and other community organizations to support safe COVID-19 vaccination, masking, and social distancing practices in your community to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. NCHPH is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Wednesday, August 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Back to School, COVID-19, and the Value of School-Based Health Centers
This NACHC webinar brings together national leaders in school-based health to discuss plans for a safe return to school, adolescent and COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the value of having a health center available within a school setting, and successful collaborations with government and community-based organizations to improve the wellbeing of the students and families they serve.
Tuesday, August 31
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
The Role of Dental Providers in Vaccine Delivery and Policy Recommendations
The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) shares a new publication describing COVID-19 vaccine delivery strategies developed by health centers using dental providers for vaccine administration. It also highlights policy opportunities to consider for the future that support medical/dental integration and whole-person care in health centers. NNOHA is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Reimbursement
HRSA created fact sheets to help patients and providers better understand their rights and responsibilities regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are free to anyone living in the U.S.
Learn more on HHS’ COVID-19 Care for Uninsured Individuals webpage.
Consider HRSA’s COVID-19 claims reimbursement program for uninsured patients. Providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured individuals with a primary COVID-19 diagnosis can request claims reimbursement. They can also request reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration to the uninsured.
HHS recently announced the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF), which covers costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing. Since providers cannot bill patients for COVID-19 vaccines, the CAF addresses an outstanding compensation need for providers vaccinating underinsured patients. See the CAF program fact sheet for a quick overview.
Behavioral Health
SAMHSA Expands its Talk. They Hear You. Print PSA Series
SAMHSA expands substance use prevention campaign resources with the release of 15 new print Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Each PSA encourages parents and educators to talk to their children and students about alcohol and other substances.
Health and Housing Partnerships E-Learning Course
This self-paced e-learning course developed by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (a HRSA-funded NTTAP) offers strategic guidance in building, assessing, and/or strengthening various types of partnerships between Health Center Program grantees, behavioral health providers, and supportive housing providers. Whether you represent one of these types of organizations or you are merely curious about health and housing partnerships, you can use this course as your roadmap.
HIV
HIV Care Tool App: New Resources Added
HRSA's AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) National Coordinating Resource Center recently launched the HIV Care Tools App. Leading HIV experts select and develop the content. This app:
- Provides the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment recommendations and key point-of-care information for health care providers.
- Includes quick guides for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, validated screening tools for co-morbid conditions, and common clinical calculators used in HIV management.
- Links directly to the AETC’s National Clinician Consultation Center for real-time clinical support.
- Lists AETC Program contact information for questions about free localized education and training services and TA.
Recently, the app added a new Quick Guide for screening hepatitis C virus in people with HIV, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 screening tool, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh calculator for classification of liver disease.
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Hypertension
Webinar Recording: Utilizing Innovative Methods to Reduce the Incidence of Hypertension in Our Communities
Panelists discussed their experiences and best practices for reducing hypertension within their communities. Watch the recording.
Workforce
Expanding Mobile Medical Units Learning Collaborative
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) invites health centers to join a four-session, biweekly learning collaborative. Participants will focus on expanding the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) model of care using mobile service sites. NHCHC encourages health centers using ARP funds to expand use of mobile units, or who currently provide this service, to join. HCH health centers having a history of providing mobile unit health care will serve as mentors and subject matter experts for learning collaborative participants. Apply by Tuesday, September 14. NHCHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard: Clinical, Operational, and Compliance Impact for Health Centers
See the announcement above.
HRSA Expands Community-Based Residency Programs in Rural and Underserved Communities
HRSA recently announced a major effort to strengthen and expand community-based primary care medical and dental residency programs in rural and underserved communities thanks to the ARP. This includes an $8 million investment for current Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program residents and the availability of an additional $76 million for three new funding opportunities. Check availability and application deadlines in Grants.gov!
Oral Health
The Role of Dental Providers in Vaccine Delivery and Policy Recommendations
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
From CDC: Resources for Integrating Developmental Surveillance into Your Practice
In the United States, 1 in 6 children has a developmental delay or disability. CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. program has resources to help integrate developmental surveillance into your practice, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Share CDC’s health care provider fact sheet in English or Spanish and discuss with your colleagues how these resources can support developmental surveillance in your clinical setting. For more information, resources, and links to trainings, visit CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. Healthcare Provider webpage.
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Health and Housing Partnerships E-Learning Course
See the announcement above.
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