What's New
Deadline Friday: 2021 Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) invites all health center staff to complete a 20-minute National Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Needs Assessment. The deadline is Friday, October 8. This one-time assessment will inform the development of training and TA necessary to support health centers in improving access and advancing quality and impact over the next two to three years. NACHC is a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP).
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ARP Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements Funding Awarded
HHS awarded nearly $1 billion in ARP funding to nearly 1,300 HRSA Health Center Program-funded health centers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to support major construction and renovation projects. The FY 2021 ARP – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements (ARP-Capital) awards will strengthen our primary health care infrastructure and advance health equity and health outcomes in medically underserved communities, including through projects that support COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination.
Visit the ARP-Capital TA page for award recipient information, Frequently Asked Questions, and other resources. Join tomorrow’s question and answer session for award recipients:
Wednesday, October 6
2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID: 160 331 6425
Rescission of the Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications Rule
On Friday, October 1, HRSA published a Final Rule to rescind the Implementation of the Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-saving Medications rule. This Final Rule will become effective Saturday, October 30. As the underlying Executive Order 13937 remains in effect, HRSA is exploring non-regulatory options to implement the Executive Order. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Updated Unmet Need Score Resources Now Available
The updated Unmet Need Score (UNS) and Service Area Status (SAS) Resource Guide and the UNS Frequently Asked Questions are now available on our Strategic Initiatives webpage. HRSA will share additional information on the use of these resources in the future.
HRSA’s Loan Guarantee Program: An Overview
Join Capital Link to learn more about the Health Center Loan Guarantee Program (LGP), including benefits, eligibility, and the application process. The LGP offers loan guarantees to eligible health centers for the construction, renovation, and modernization of facilities. Capital Link is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Wednesday, October 6
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Introducing Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation
Futures Without Violence is pleased to announce a name change for its HRSA-funded NTTAP: Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation. The aim is to build meaningful partnerships between health centers and domestic violence and community-based advocacy programs. Visit the new website for upcoming webinars, learning collaboratives, and new resources.
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Maternity Care Target Area Proposed Criteria Federal Register Notice
HRSA has issued this Federal Register Notice to request comment on the proposed criteria to identify Maternity Care Target Areas. This notice is part of the implementation requirement of the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act (and is in accordance with statutory requirements).
Note: While HRSA welcomes input from all stakeholders and parties with an interest in our mission, we specifically seek input from those with knowledge of public health strategies to improve maternal health and maternity care delivery. This includes but is not limited to relevant provider organizations; medical societies, organizations representing medical facilities; or other organizations with expertise in maternity care.
CMS Fact Sheet on Medicaid and CHIP Health Coverage Options Available for Afghan Evacuees
Most evacuees arriving in the U.S. will be eligible for health coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or refugee medical assistance. The latter is provided through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, in the HHS Administration for Children and Families, and administered in most cases by state Medicaid programs. Eligibility depends upon the immigration status of the evacuee and the state where the evacuee is residing. See the fact sheet.
COVID-19
Reimbursement for Administering COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics
FDA has authorized several COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments for emergency use. For health centers that provide mAb treatment directly, instead of referring patients to receive it, we are sharing this information about coverage and payment.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Medicare will cover and pay for mAb therapies (when furnished consistent with their respective Emergency Use Authorizations) the same way it covers and pays for COVID-19 vaccines. For Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), that means mAb treatments are paid at 100% of reasonable cost through the Medicare cost report. FQHCs should include mAb treatment administration costs for patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage on the cost report as well. FQHCs may request lump sum payments in advance of cost report settlement from their Medicare Administrative Contractor for administering mAb therapies to Medicare beneficiaries.
MAb treatments are mandated treatments for Medicaid. Health centers should consult their state Medicaid program for reimbursement details.
Health centers may also use HRSA Health Center Program operational funding, as well as ARP COVID-19 supplemental funding, as necessary to support the administration of mAb therapeutics to patients for whom this treatment is indicated. For additional information, see our Coronavirus-Related Funding FAQs or American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers FAQs.
For uninsured patients, consider the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
Recording Available: COVID-19 Booster Readiness Webcast for Health Centers
Last week’s joint HRSA and CDC webcast provided guidance for health centers on boosters for older adults and those at high risk of severe COVID-19. Watch the recording.
New COVID-19 Provider Funding Application Portal Open
Health care providers can apply for $25.5 billion in new provider relief funds. This includes $8.5 billion in ARP resources for those who serve rural patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP and $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 for a broad range of providers experiencing changes in operating revenues and expenses. Providers may apply for both programs with a single application. Applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 26. Apply or register for upcoming TA webinars.
Urgent Action: Promote COVID-19 Vaccine for Pregnant People
See a bulletin from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau emphasizing the need to vaccinate pregnant people against COVID-19.
Weitzman ECHO Webinar Series on COVID-19
Join Community Health Center, Inc.’s, Weitzman Institute for an ECHO webinar series on COVID-19. They’ll discuss how organizations have shifted their workforce, vaccine boosters, and promising practices moving forward. Speakers will share COVID-19 updates at the beginning of each session and answer your questions. Community Health Center, Inc. is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Supporting Older LGBTQIA+ Adults during COVID-19
Discover strategies for engaging health center and community resources for supporting older LGBTQIA+ patients during a pandemic. Facilitators from The LGBTQIA+ Aging Project will discuss methods for connecting with communities, and best practices for attending to the mental health and social determinants of health (SDOH) needs of LGBTQIA+ older adults during COVID-19.
Tuesday, October 12
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Hosted by The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Lessons Learned: COVID-19 Health Literacy in Special & Vulnerable Populations
Speakers will discuss lessons learned related to addressing low levels of health literacy and the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. The webinar also addresses how health centers that serve farmworker families and community-dwelling older adults can effectively support patient health care engagement.
Wednesday, November 10
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
This webinar is cohosted by two HRSA-funded NTTAPs, the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders (NCECE) and the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH).
Unique Challenges for MSAWs and Their Families
See the announcement below.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Did You Get the Mammo?
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we’re hosting a webinar to discuss breast cancer screening challenges and successes experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers will address how we can recover and sustain screening rates. They’ll review 2020 Uniform Data System (UDS) data and answer your questions.
Thursday, October 14
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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Behavioral Health
Recruitment Boot Camp: Mental Health Staff Edition Learning Collaborative
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) STAR2 Center presents a four-part learning collaborative that will explore special considerations needed to recruit a diverse, mission-driven, and patient-centered mental health workforce. Applications are due by Friday, October 8. Learn more and apply. ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Commercial Tobacco Cessation for Youth
Speakers from the Truth Initiative and the American Academy of Pediatrics will share best practices and promising experiences, challenges and successes, and tools/resources. They will also provide peer-to-peer support moving forward. Learn unique challenges for reaching and engaging youth commercial tobacco users with cessation interventions and treatment strategies for youth using social media.
Tuesday, October 19
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Hypertension
New HHS Partnership Program to Help Women Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure
The HHS Office on Women's Health recently announced the Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) Partnership Program.
Health centers may apply to be a SMBP Program partner by submitting a letter of interest to OWHBPPartner@hhs.gov. Letters of interest will be accepted starting Friday, October 1, and will be reviewed periodically. The selected partners may be recognized for their commitment and their work toward achieving the goals of the program.
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New NACHC Reimbursement Tip Resource for SMBP
NACHC has released Payment Reimbursement Tips: Community Health Center Requirements for Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM) & Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP). This tool can be found alongside other payment reimbursement tips on NACHC's Value Transformation Framework webpage.
Workforce
Diabetes in Special & Vulnerable Populations: National Learning Webinar Series
To facilitate a national conversation around diabetes and health centers, 14 NTTAPs are presenting a four-part national learning series to engage health centers, Primary Care Associations, and Health Center Controlled Networks. Participants will increase foundational knowledge of effective strategies to prevent, treat, and manage diabetes among special and vulnerable populations. The series will explore diabetes management in relation to the evolving roles of enabling services staff, developing patient-centered resources, improving diabetes care and health equity in a changing health care landscape, and addressing diabetes management during a disaster. Learn more and register for the series.
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Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs present learning collaboratives:
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Unique Challenges for MSAWs and Their Families
Migrant Clinicians Network, Farmworker Justice, Health Outreach Partners, and MHP Salud invite health centers to explore the unique needs and challenges of serving migratory and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community health workers and other health center frontline staff who serve MSAW patients should join to explore tools and proven examples from the field. This is an opportunity to highlight your successes and to share lessons learned! Each of four sessions will cover a different topic, including vaccine messaging, health center capacity and sustainability, and self-care for staff. Register now.
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Sealant Learning Communities Collaborative
The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) invites health centers to engage in activities that will improve their UDS Sealants Measure outcomes. Sessions will take place from January to June 2022. Apply by 8:00 p.m. ET, on Friday, October 29.
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Optimizing Health Center Care Teams for Diabetes Prevention & Management ECHO
The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) will highlight best practices and programming to form and optimize interdisciplinary care teams for practice transformation in support of diabetes prevention. Participants will discuss clinical best practices for diabetes prevention and management, whole-patient care and shared decision-making, SDOH, and the process of building an interdisciplinary care team in the health center setting. Register here.
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Recruitment Boot Camp: Mental Health Staff Edition
See the announcement above.
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Motivating Healthy Habits in Older Adults
Healthy lifestyle habits related to diet and exercise play an important role in preventing and managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, but older adults may face unique barriers to adopting or modifying these habits. NCECE and the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) will highlight the importance of identifying age-appropriate motivations for behavior change and setting realistic goals. Learn more and apply by Monday, October 25.
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Screening and Addressing SDOH
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) will discuss the impact of SDOH on unhoused communities, including racial equity and SDOH, workforce and SDOH, enabling services and SDOH, and risk stratification. Register here by Monday, November 22.
Now Virtual: Topics in Retention & Recruitment Planning and Implementation
ACU’s STAR2 Center is hosting a two-day virtual (formerly in-person) workshop to help health centers jumpstart creation or work on revamping their retention and recruitment plans. Register here.
National Diabetes Prevention Program Community of Practice
This peer-led series will explore promising practices for health centers implementing or interested in implementing the National Diabetes Prevention Program. NNCC and the Health Promotion Council will host the series. It will be structured to allow for health center showcases, resource sharing, Q&A with brief didactic portions, and facilitated panel discussions.
Telehealth
NACHC Monthly Telehealth Office Hours: Scheduling Strategies for Hybrid Care
Hear from the Telehealth Resource Centers and discuss new trends in telehealth optimization, funding, and reimbursement. Presenters will review the current federal landscape as it relates to telehealth, in addition to highlighting recent trends including hybrid care models.
Thursday, October 14
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
Additional Resources
Board Actions Combating Racism: Case Study of Lowell Community Health Center
NACHC shares a video case study showcasing the board of Lowell Community Health Center. Lowell CHC passed a board resolution declaring that racism is a public health crisis in its community. In the video, board members discuss the resolution and how the board is providing oversight of its implementation. Various discussion questions for boards are included at the end of the video, along with links to resources for additional learning.
Screening for SDOH: Overview of Tools and Resources
Join the Farmworker Health Network (FHN) for an overview of SDOH factors that impact vulnerable populations, including MSAWs, and learn how to better identify and screen for specific SDOH factors. Speakers will highlight information gained from the FHN's “Screening for SDOH" learning collaborative activities and will feature existing screening tools and additional resources for SDOH.
Wednesday, October 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
FHN includes several HRSA-funded NTTAPs: Farmworker Justice, Migrant Clinicians Network, Health Outreach Partners, MHP Salud, NCFH, and NACHC.
Recorded Health Center 2021 TA Series
The Joint Commission presents TA education sessions for health centers on topics pertaining to accreditation standards and the survey process, common trends, and strategies to address quality/risk related challenges. Recordings are available immediately after registering at the links below.
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Accreditation Essentials and Ambulatory Briefings
Register here
Subscribe key: ABAE2021
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Infection Control Basics
Register here
Subscribe key: ICB2021
Housing, Health, and LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
This resource is published by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a HRSA-funded NTTAP. It provides health centers with promising practices for supporting LGBTQIA+ older adults with their housing and related health care needs, including screening for homelessness and housing, supporting aging in place, providing affirming referrals for housing and supportive services, and offering inclusive health care environments.
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