What's New
H8F and L2C American Rescue Plan Awards – Requests for Extensions
If you need additional time to complete your approved American Rescue Plan (ARP) activities, including those related to the ARP-UDS+ supplemental funding*, you must submit an Extension Without Funds (no cost extension) Prior Approval Request through HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). Please make these requests beginning around two months ahead of the period of performance end date. Here are the period of performance end dates:
- ARP (H8F)-funded health centers: Friday, March 31, 2023
- ARP (L2C)-funded look-alikes: Friday, June 30, 2023
All extension requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to HRSA approval. If you expect to need such an extension, contact your Grants Management Specialist and Investment Oversight Advisor to discuss the requirements for submitting the request in EHBs.
*Because ARP-UDS+ awards supplement your H8F or L2C ARP award, if your request is approved and your ARP period of performance is extended, you will have until the extended end date to complete your ARP-UDS+ activities.
Testing for Prevalent Respiratory Illnesses
CDC held a telebriefing yesterday (Monday, December 5), sounding the alarm on a post-Thanksgiving rise in influenza-like illnesses. They had previously noted that rates of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and other viruses were already at or approaching high levels. They emphasized the importance of vaccination, but testing is also important to ensure people can protect those around them.
HRSA recently added a new product to what is available through the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program. Cepheid multiplex POC cartridges (Xpert® Xpress) are now available to order through the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program. These POC cartridges will test for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
If you are not participating in the program and would like to begin ordering at-home self-test kits or testing supplies, submit a request through the BPHC Contact Form so that we can assist you.
HRSA is not offering the Cepheid analyzers (GeneXpert®) that use these multiplex cartridges. HRSA-funded health centers can use H80 and ARP (H8F) grant funds to purchase those analyzers.
To support community needs, your health center may consider expanding office hours and adjusting telehealth protocols to increase your capacity. Submit any questions regarding a health center’s scope of service via the BPHC Contact Form. Program Assistance Letter 2020-01 (PDF) highlights issues to consider when using telehealth to increase access for health center patients.
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Health Centers and the National Practitioner Data Bank Overview
The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) is a resource that supports health centers' commitment to providing quality care and protecting patient safety. HRSA presenters at an upcoming webinar will explore NPDB’s function, basic querying, and reporting procedures. They will also provide a brief walk-through of the NPDB attestation process. Per the Health Center Program Compliance Manual, health centers are required to query the NPDB during credentialing.
Wednesday, December 14
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
If you prefer to join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 160 387 6638
The Joint Commission Health Equity Standards
Effective Sunday, January 1, 2023, new and revised requirements to reduce health care disparities will apply to organizations in The Joint Commission’s ambulatory health care, behavioral health care and human services, critical access hospital, and hospital accreditation programs. Learn more from the Joint Commission:
Wednesday, December 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Subscribe key: TJCEd
New Research: Ensuring Equitable Care in Diabetes Management Among Patients of HRSA-Funded Health Centers in the U.S.
This new HRSA-funded study shows that health centers provide equitable diabetes care, including HbA1c testing and eye exams, and advance racial/ethnic parity in diabetes-specific outcomes. Researchers also identified opportunities to further advance health equity by improving foot exams, individual treatment plans, and cholesterol checks for racial and ethnic minority patients. Findings suggest how health centers can better leverage health education and cultural competency to promote these diabetes management services to diverse patient populations. To read the published article, and other articles about quality care delivered by health centers, visit BPHC’s Health Center Library.
HRSA’s November Roundup
In November, HRSA supported the #VaxUpAmerica Family Tour, announced a new COVID-19 vaccine initiative, celebrated Rural Health Day, congratulated Associate Administrator Jim Macrae on receiving the 2022 Presidential Rank Award, and highlighted innovative approaches to expanding care to people with HIV. Read more.
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs and SDOH in Medicaid
CMS speakers will review policy avenues to address unmet health-related social needs and social determinants of health (SDOH) for individuals enrolled in Medicaid.
Monday, December 12
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Calendar Year 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
CMS has issued a final rule that includes updates and policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after Sunday, January 1, 2023. The calendar year 2023 PFS final rule is one of several rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, and innovation.
HHS Proposes New Protections to Increase Care Coordination and Confidentiality for Patients with Substance Use Challenges
HHS, through the Office for Civil Rights and SAMHSA, announced proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records under 42 CFR part 2 (“Part 2”), which protects patient privacy and records concerning treatment related to substance use challenges from unauthorized disclosures. Specifically, the proposed rule increases coordination among providers in treatment for substance use challenges and increases protections for patients concerning records disclosure to avoid discrimination in treatment. Read the press release.
See the Federal Register Notice to submit comments on the proposed changes.
Do Your Patients Need Help with Their Energy Bills or Broadband Access?
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
- The Federal Communications Commission will make $70 million available to governmental and non-governmental entities to increase participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program, an ongoing program that provides qualifying low-income households with discounts on broadband service and connected devices. Visit the ACP Outreach Grant Program webpage to learn more or apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Be Part of a New Cancer Screening Research Network
NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) is establishing a new Cancer Screening Research Network to conduct cancer screening trials and studies to evaluate emerging technologies and strategies for the purpose of cancer screening. NCI invites health centers to consider applying to be an ACCESS hub – an organization or group of organizations that will recruit participants.
Access information about the grants and upcoming pre-application webinars on NCI’s webpage. You may email questions by 11:59 p.m. ET the Wednesday before each webinar.
COVID-19
Winter 2022-23 Update: Respiratory Disease Prevention
The National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH), in collaboration with HUD, hosts this webinar on addressing COVID-19, flu, and RSV through treatment, prevention, and partnerships between health centers, public housing agencies, and other community-based organizations. This webinar will feature speakers from CDC, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HUD, a health center, and a public housing agency. They’ll address challenges and share resources and promising practices for addressing current outbreaks and preparing for the next emergency.
Wednesday, December 14
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
NCHPH is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
FDA Rescinds Emergency Use Authorization for Bebtelovimab
Last week, the FDA announced that bebtelovimab is not authorized for emergency use in any U.S. region at this time because it is not expected to neutralize Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 of COVID-19. See the FDA statement.
CDC Research Reinforces Messaging about Vaccination and Therapeutic Treatment
Recent CDC reports support the approach that health centers are taking to lessen COVID-19’s impact in their communities:
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One study shows the effectiveness of updated vaccines over previous versions.
- Two studies spotlight the use of Paxlovid: the first shows its effectiveness at reducing hospitalization rates; the second shows lower rates of Paxlovid treatment among Black and Hispanic patients when compared to white and non-Hispanic patients.
As a reminder, HRSA-supported health centers may receive a direct allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) through the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program. Use the BPHC Contact Form to share your interest.
Behavioral Health
Integrated Care for Patients Who Consume Cannabis
Under state-level policy changes, recreational use of cannabis has increased across the U.S., bringing increases in marketing, product type, potency, and availability. These factors, combined with lowered perception of risk for cannabis use, warrant increased understanding of approaches for cannabis use risk identification and new motivational intervention techniques to effectively engage with and treat patients.
This TA session will include an overview of cannabis research. Speakers will also introduce using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach with new clinical tools that screen for cannabis use to advance behavioral health integration and clinical practice.
Tuesday, December 13
11:00 a.m.-noon ET
Registration page
**1.0 CE available**
Workforce
Due Next Week: Teaching Health Center Planning and Development
HRSA released the FY 2023 Teaching Health Center Planning and Development notice of funding opportunity (HRSA-23-015). HRSA will make approximately $23.5 million available for up to 47 recipients through this opportunity. Interested health centers are highly encouraged to apply. See our November 18 bulletin and apply by 11:59 p.m. ET next Monday, December 12.
Several HRSA-funded NTTAPs have learning collaboratives:
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Screening for SDOH
Join the Farmworker Health Network (FHN) for its third and final learning collaborative aimed at increasing the number of health centers that screen for SDOH factors. Participants will focus on SDOH screening (specifically, climate change impact and emergency preparedness) in migratory and seasonal agricultural workers to improve health outcomes. They especially encourage clinical supervisors and coordinators, medical assistants, patient navigators, Community Health Workers, and front office workers to join. Visit the registration page for dates and times.
FHN comprises Farmworker Justice, the Migrant Clinicians Network, Health Outreach Partners, MHP Salud, and the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH).
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Uniform Data System Sealant
The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) is accepting applications for its Sealant Learning Communities Collaborative. This virtual opportunity will help health centers improve their Uniform Data System (UDS) Sealants Measure. Visit the registration page to apply by 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 16.
Oral Health
UDS Sealant Learning Collaborative
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
Equitable Diabetes Prevention: Keys to Success from a Pacific Islander Community
Listen to, or read the transcript of, the second episode in the National Nurse-led Care Consortium's (NNCC) podcast series.
The episode features Jen Lee, the deputy director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), and Cecilia Sigrah, operations manager, coordinator, and lifestyle coach for the Kosrae Community Health Center in the Federated States in Micronesia. They discuss equitable diabetes prevention services for Pacific Islanders, the rollout of their Pacific Islander Diabetes Prevention Program, and the outcomes of providing a tailored prevention program to the communities they serve.
NNCC and AAPCHO are both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
Culturally Appropriate Healthy Eating Educational Tool for Asian Americans: Filipino/a/x and Hmong Editions
Culturally relevant My Healthy Plate educational resources can support diabetes prevention across a patient’s lifespan. Speakers will elaborate on this point and present four culturally relevant My Healthy Plate brochures that include the cultural traditions and dietary preferences of Filipino/a/x and Hmong migratory and seasonal agricultural worker communities. They’ll discuss best practices and examples of patient educational resources, including the benefits of using these tools in Community Health Worker-led programs.
Wednesday, December 14
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Hosted by AAPCHO and MHP Salud.
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