What's New
Policy Tip: Required and Additional Health Services
At BPHC, we’re doing our best to get you the information you need. This is a weekly series of tips to clarify Health Center Program policy. We select topics for this feature based on your input.
Contracts/agreements and referral arrangements for enabling services do not need to include the same provisions as contracts/agreements or referral arrangements for clinical services, such as documentation in the patient record or follow-up care. Learn more and find answers to other questions on HRSA’s Health Center Program Compliance FAQs webpage.
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Enrolling a New FQHC Site in Medicare
Last week, we talked about Medicare revalidation for FQHC sites, which is required every five years, and shared tools and guidance. If you missed it, see the article.
If you are enrolling a new FQHC site (i.e., when a new service site is approved by HRSA through the change in scope process or through a funded application), you must provide the Notice of Award or Notice of Look-alike Designation that documents approval for the new site. Unlike with revalidation, when you are enrolling a new site you cannot use the health center’s Form 5B: Service Sites list downloaded from HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). You must complete the initial enrollment process with CMS. For more information, see CMS’ Become a Medicare Provider or Supplier website.
Act Now to Ensure Continued Access to EHBs
Beginning Friday, May 26, you will have to use Login.gov to access EHBs. That site employs two-factor authentication, which creates an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password.
- If you have an existing Login.gov account with the same email address you use in EHBs, you do not need to create a new account.
- If you have an existing Login.gov account with a different email address than what you use for EHBs, you will need to create a new account using the email you use for EHBs.
- If you do not have an account on Login.gov, create one now to ensure continued access. Be sure to use the same email address that you use to access EHBs.
See HRSA's instructions webpage for setting up and verifying a Login.gov account.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
Visit the Department of Justice’s Take Back Day website for resources to promote this event in your community. Our March 24 bulletin includes other resources.
COVID-19
HHS COVID-19 Vaccination Operational Planning Guide
Last week, we shared updated CDC guidance in a bulletin. See the bulletin if you missed it.
Health Partner Order Portal Updates Delayed
If you order COVID-19-related products through HRSA’s COVID-19 Response Programs, the planned update of the Health Partner Order Portal (HPoP) is delayed. See messages in the HCPC for more information.
New Point-of-Care Test Available Soon Through HRSA
Beginning Wednesday, April 19, health centers participating in HRSA’s COVID-19 Testing Supply Program will be able to order the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test in HPoP. Health centers can order a minimum of 15 units but are not to exceed 50 units.
This product is used to test only SARS-CoV-2 through a dual nasal swab. These FDA resources provide more information:
The manufacturer’s website also provides information.
If you are not currently participating in the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program and would like to begin ordering the Abbott BinaxNOW, at-home self-test kits, and/or Cepheid Xpert Xpress cartridges, submit a request via the BPHC Contact Form.
Recording Available: Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Award: Working with Community Partners to Address Vaccine Equity
Our April 5 webinar provided Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV) funding award recipients an opportunity to hear about collaborations increase vaccine uptake among underserved populations. Watch the recording if you missed it.
As a reminder: If your health center received ECV funding, HRSA expects you to use the funds within three months to increase access to, confidence in, and demand for updated COVID-19 vaccines. However, we will consider a period of performance extension in increments of one to six months. See the March 28 Digest for details.
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Behavioral Health
Integrating Behavioral Health Care into Clinical Workflow
Join to see how your health center can apply lessons learned in developing an integrated care workflow, describe the roles of key team players in integrated care, and understand how issues with role clarity may impact successful workflow design.
Wednesday, May 10
2:30-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Community of Practice: Behavioral Health Integration Skills and Practices for Health Centers
Over a series of eight 1.5-hour sessions, participants will learn about the most promising practices for effective integrated behavioral health care in primary care settings. Visit the registration page for dates and times.
Coordinating Care and Safety for Patients Experiencing IPV at the Intersection of Mental and Behavioral Health
Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation and the HHS-funded National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health invite you to examine the intersections of intimate partner violence (IPV) and exploitation, mental and behavioral health, and substance use coercion. You will hear from a panel of survivors and gain strategies on assessing for abuse and coercion. Visit the registration page to apply by midnight, Friday, April 21.
SAMHSA Alert about Xylazine
In a Dear Colleague letter (PDF), SAMHSA shares information about xylazine – a non-opioid agent increasingly being found in combination with opioids such as fentanyl. Xylazine has not been approved by the FDA for use in humans and can cause devastating medical problems. Because it’s not an opioid, naloxone does not reverse its effects.
Substance Use Prevention Services in Primary Care Challenge Competition
Through a new challenge, NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse seeks creative, visionary, and actionable plans to implement substance use prevention interventions in primary care. Learn more or submit your plan by Friday, May 19, by visiting the challenge webpage on Challenge.gov.
Workforce
Register for the Region 6 Workforce Workshop
HRSA is hosting Regional Workforce Workshops for Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and health centers. Registration is open for the Region 6 workshop, which takes place on Tuesday, April 25. See BHW’s recent bulletin for information and to register. We will share date and registration information for other regions in the coming months.
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Applications
The 2023 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program application cycle is open. Providers serve at least two years at NHSC-approved sites in underserved communities. Funding is available for up to four years. Apply by Thursday, April 27, on HRSA’s webpage.
Integrating Behavioral Health Care into Clinical Workflow
See the announcement above.
Virtual 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit
The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU's) STAR2 Center, and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) will host this opportunity for health centers, Health Center Controlled Networks, and PCAs. Share and elevate best practices in addressing workforce challenges and needs. Participants are eligible to receive CE credits. Visit the registration page.
NTTAP Learning Collaboratives
Visit the registration pages for dates, times, and more information:
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House Asset Mapping
Interested in learning more about housing and the homeless response system in your community? Join this Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) opportunity to learn what resources are available to you and your patients, how to navigate the housing system, and about best practices in health and housing partnerships. Registration page.
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Coordinating Care and Safety for Patients Experiencing IPV at the Intersection of Mental and Behavioral Health
See the announcement above.
Additional Resources
AgWorker Health 102: Supporting Agricultural Worker Health
Join the Farmworker Health Network (FHN, a group of six HRSA-funded NTTAPs) to hear about the most relevant current agricultural worker policy issues and explore effective service delivery models. Presenters will also highlight training and technical assistance opportunities and share resources and promising practices.
Tuesday, May 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Equitable Diabetes Prevention: Keys to Success from a Pacific Islander Community
A blog post from the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations supplements a related podcast episode. Both focus on the rollout of a Pacific Islander Diabetes Prevention Program and the positive outcomes of providing a tailored prevention program.
In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
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