What's New
Health Centers with a May 1 Start Date: Review Your Patient Target by Thursday, July 27
We updated patient targets for Health Center Program award recipients with an April 1 budget period start date. On Thursday, July 13, we sent an email message to the Authorizing Officials and Project Directors of these health centers. It clarifies whether the health center would complete a fiscal year (FY) 2024 Service Area Competition (SAC) or Budget Period Progress Report. It also provides a direct link to the updated patient target. Health centers that will complete an FY 2024 SAC and have a May 1, 2024, award start date should review their patient target and take appropriate action in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by Thursday, July 27.
View the Patient Target Management Guide available on the SAC technical assistance webpage to learn how to access your patient target in EHBs. See our Patient Target FAQs for more information.
Submit questions using the BPHC Contact Form (Health Center Program > Patient Targets).
Policy Tip: Sliding Fee Discount Program
A health center cannot establish different nominal charges within the same sliding fee discount schedule (SFDS). However, if a health center has multiple SFDSs, they can establish a nominal charge for each one. Eligibility for sliding fee discounts, including any nominal charges, would be applied uniformly to all patients and would be based solely on income and family size. To learn more about this topic, and to find answers to other questions, check out the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs.
|
CMS Innovation Center Making Care Primary Overview Webinar
CMS’ webinar will provide an overview of the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Indian Health Programs. MCP provides a pathway from fee-for-service payment to prospective, population-based payment that supports comprehensive primary care to improve quality, patient experience, and population health outcomes in eight states – Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.
Speakers will discuss the model’s goals, eligibility, participant types, care delivery requirements, performance assessment, and payment structure.
Thursday, July 20
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
Updated Operational Guidance for Implementing CDC’s Recommendations on Testing for Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Current hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing guidance recommends a two-step testing sequence for diagnosis of HCV infection. New guidance supports operational strategies that collect samples at a single visit, and automatic HCV RNA testing on all HCV antibody reactive samples. Use of strategies that require multiple visits to collect samples should be discontinued. Read more in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Plan Now for National Immunization Awareness Month
August is coming soon! CDC shares resources on their website that can help your health center participate in the nationwide movement to boost vaccination:
SAMHSA’s Harm Reduction Framework Draft Open for Public Comment
The framework will inform SAMHSA’s harm reduction activities, as well as related policies, programs, and practices. Learn more on SAMHSA’s website.
COVID-19
Re-Register for COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
We’ve extended this Office Hours series, which is open to all HRSA-supported health centers. Even if you previously registered for past office hours, you need to register again for this new set of sessions.
The July 25 session will feature speakers from HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW). They’ll share HRSA programs and resources that can help health centers enhance quality care for aging populations, with emphasis on COVID-19 support.
Tuesday, July 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program Participants
In a recent bulletin, we announced that HRSA’s Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program will end on Wednesday, August 23. Continue updating your stock on hand and wastage in the Health Partner Order Portal (HPoP). There is a continued need for accurate vaccine inventory reporting through the end of the program. For specific instructions, see the job aid (PDF) or watch this video (use password: RpSK3Y2w).
CDC to Launch “Bridge Access Program” in Fall 2023 to Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments to Uninsured and Underinsured Adults
Read CDC’s press release to learn about the upcoming program. HRSA will share additional information about how this will impact health centers when we are able.
Behavioral Health
RESCHEDULED! Contextualizing Our Understanding of Mental Health and Substance Use
Mental health and many mental disorders are shaped to a great extent by life experiences, as well as the social, economic, and physical environments in which people live. Speakers will describe a contextual framework for understanding mental and substance use conditions supporting person-centered/culturally relevant care.
Thursday, August 10
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
New DEA Training Requirements in Effect for New and Renewing Prescribers
As of late June, new substance use disorder (SUD) training requirements for all practitioners with prescriptive authority, except veterinarians, are in place. New and renewing DEA registrants must now attest to completion of eight hours of training in SUDs and the use of FDA medications to treat SUD. Learn more on SAMHSA’s website.
Workforce
Register for the Region 9 Workforce Workshop
HRSA is hosting a series of Regional Workforce Workshops for Primary Care Associations and health centers. Registration is open for the Region 9 workshop on Tuesday, August 15, from 2:00-5:30 p.m. ET. Visit the registration page or see BHW’s recent bulletin for more information.
C-Suite Toolkit: Health Professions Education and Training for Recruitment and Retention
Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) programs give health centers the opportunity to recruit, develop, and retain health and allied health professions students, trainees, and residents. The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center created a new toolkit for health center leadership to develop, support, and strengthen HP-ET initiatives as part of their overall workforce retention and recruitment planning. Visit STAR2 Center’s website to access the toolkit.
Working with Minority-Serving Institutions to Enhance and Diversify Recruitment Pathways
Establishing a workforce that represents your patient population requires inclusive and equitable recruitment and retention efforts. Partnering with minority-serving colleges and universities is one path for achieving greater diversity. The STAR2 Center’s new paper is a quick resource and reference guide for human resources professionals and health center leaders on identifying and partnering with minority-serving educational institutions. Visit STAR2 Center’s website to access the paper.
Telehealth
Telehealth and LGBTQIA+ Communities Toolkit
Telehealth is an essential way to provide patient care and services to underserved communities, including LGBTQIA+ people. The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center’s new toolkit offers resources to help begin or expand upon your organization's telehealth program, with a special focus on supporting LGBTQIA+ communities. Access the toolkit on their website.
Additional Resources
Webinar Recording: Capital Planning for Addressing Rural Health Needs
In a recent webinar, speakers from Capital Link addressed the unique needs of rural health centers and highlighted a recent capital project for Desert Sage Health Centers, which tailored the structure of its new facility to suit the distinctive needs of its rural service area. The CEO of the National Rural Health Association discussed the connection between rural health issues and facility designs, as well as the current issues for rural health centers. View the recording on Capital Link's website.
In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.
Do you forward the Digest to others?
Encourage them to subscribe.
|
