Member Spotlight: MS CHCs in D.C.
Delegation presenting NACHC award to Senator Cochran’s Policy Leader, Elizabeth Henry.
The Mississippi Delegation at P&I presents Roger Wicker with the NACHC Award.
HHS/HRSA Highlights and Updates from the NACHC P&I 2018
Secretary of Health & Human Services Alex Azar, HRSA Administrator George Sigounas and HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care Associate Administrator, Jim Macrae, presented at the NACHC Policy & Issues Forum (P&I) this week in DC and here are a few major highlights:

HHS Priorities per Secretary Azar – High quality, cost effective, pay for performance and outcomes; pay for value and not procedures.

  • IT – putting technology in the hands of patients through the new Blue Button initiative. Blue Button is intended to advance patient access to health information and put the patient at a “true” center.
  • Transparency from patients and providers regarding quality and cost. Sharing data, reducing the burden of data collection and using quality data to share best practices and evidence-based models. On the cost of drugs, shift intended for true discounts to reach the patients vs. middle man such as challenges with 340b.
  • Telehealth. Expanding to address rising Opioid crisis. Integration of primary care and behavioral health. The president’s budget includes $400 million for Substance Abuse Treatment, $200 Million of this is for Quality Improvement Models.
  • Reducing government bureaucracy
HRSA leadership also updated participants on changes to the 330 Statute: Changes that were enacted and will impact health centers include the following :

Expounded based on excerpt from Feldesman, Tucker, Liefer, Fiddell:
On February 9, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Pub. Law 115-123).

The spending bill amends Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) in a number of ways. Read those here:
National Quality Awards – The National Quality Awards ( exceeding national
clinical quality benchmarks, including Healthy People 2020 goals, for
chronic disease management, preventive care, and perinatal/prenatal care )
will be given special recognition and certification by HRSA.   Remaining elements
for past quality awards are:

  • Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporters
  • Clinical Quality Improvers
  • Health Center Quality Leaders
  • Enhancing Access to Care
  • Delivering High Value Health Care
  • Achieving PCMH Recognition
  • Addressing Health Disparities
Boxing with Opioids: CHC's Knock-out Summit to Combat the Epidemic
Did you know that in 2017, an estimated 255 Mississippians died of opioid and heroin overdose?

Well, our MS Community Health Centers are getting armed to address the opioid problem. Wednesday, March 7 th , MPHCA’s Quality Improvement Workgroup hosted their Annual Spring One-Day Clinical Conference for community health centers and interested safety net providers on at the Holiday Inn Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS. The conference was relevant to all health center staff, particularly providers, clinical leads and quality improvement personnel as it addressed not only the dynamics of the opioid crisis but screening, linkage to care and treatment options. Additionally, sessions included behavioral health and comorbid infectious diseases as they relate to opioid addiction.
The conference opened with a panel discussion of the opioid epidemic led by members of the governor’s task force. Board of Pharmacy and medical regulations were outlined and both medication assisted treatment and behavioral interventions were provided. The key message was that Mississippi needs to stand up against the opioid crisis. For more information, see conference handouts and opioid resources at mphca.com .
Updates to the State CHIP Program    
Submitted: January 9, 2018
Implemented January 1, 2018

Includes a Health Services Initiative offering expanded vision services to low-income children throughout the state.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) State Plan Amendment (SPA) #10 is being submitted to expand vision services to low-income children throughout the state by allowing the Division of Medicaid (DOM) to contract with a non-profit CHIP participating provider to offer these services on-site at certain Mississippi schools, effective January 1, 2018.
  • In 2018, an estimated 1,550 Mississippians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 640 will lose their lives to this disease.
  • Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. when men and women are combined, but it doesn’t have to be.
  • About 1 in 3 adults between 50 and 75 years old – about 23 million people – are not getting tested as recommended.
  • Screening can save lives, but only if people get tested.
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be named colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. Cancer starts when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps and can be discovered through routine screening.
Please visit the American Cancer Society website for more information and downloadable resources for health professionals and patients. 
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Senator Cochran Announces Resignation

This means Mississippi could end the year with entirely new representation in the U.S. Senate. Thanks, Senator Cochran, for your service to MS and CHCs! Be in “The Know” Election Information 2018, March 1st deadline for candidate filing has passed.

Read more
mphca.com
MSCAN Pharmacy reimbursement errors: Important...

Home MSCAN Pharmacy reimbursement errors: Important information for pharmacy providers:

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mphca.com
Submit your best Patient Stories for a chance to win a Free MPHCA Annual Conference Registration ($600 value) .

MPHCA is looking to make a series of videos highlight positive patient outcomes at Mississippi CHCs. The Spring Stories Series will consist of videos posted to social media that will have patient and provider interviews. The top video will earn its CHC a free Annual Conference Registration.
Training Opportunities
MS DOH Community Interpreter Training
The Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Policy, Evaluation and Government Relations - Health Equity is excited to announce its upcoming The Community Interpreter Training: Medical, Educational and Social Services Interpreting (CTI training).

When: April 11-14 and April 16-17, 2018
Location: Jackson, MS at 805 S. Wheatley St, Ridgeland, MS 39157, 4 th Floor Conference Room.

This training is only for bilingual oral and sign trainees. The registration is currently open until April the 2 nd.  The fee for the training is $200 per person, or $150 if more than one applicant from the same agency. 

Please return the completed registration form attached to this message via fax, regular mail, or e-mail. Please feel free to pass along this information to others you feel will benefit from this training or may be interesting in participating.
For your questions regarding this training, please contact Ana Alfaro-Correa Ana.Alfaro-Correa@msdh.ms.gov o r Victoria Walker Victoria.Walker@msdh.md.gov office #: 601 576 7428.
New Provider Training: “Improving Population Health Outcomes by Providing a Patient-Centered Healthcare Experience”
This webinar can help providers and staff positively impact patients’ experiences during their provider office visits; which is essential for improving population health outcomes.

Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Illinois Medicare providers. Register today for this free educational opportunity. Go to the provider section at www.wellcare.com.

Target Audience: Physicians, APRNs, PAs, Quality Improvement staff, Compliance officers, Front desk staff and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognized providers/practices

To schedule this training, please contact:
Joyce H. Smith, RN
Quality Improvement Project Manager – MS, AR, TN
Direct line: 601-321-5608
Mobile: 601-966-7909
Fax: 813-262-2863
Become A Community Health Or Rural Health Coding & Billing Specialist
(CH-CBS Or RH-CBS)
*** Approved For 11 Continuing Education Units By The AAPC And ARHPC***

Date : April 17-18, 2018
Time : 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost : $399

Meeting Location :
Hilton Garden Inn
109 US 11
Meridian, MS 39301

Room Block : (H otel reservation cutoff date is April 2, 2018)
$110 per night
Group Name: MS Primary Health Care Assoc
Book Room Online: http://group.hiltongardeninn.com/
MSPrimaryHealthCareAssoc
(Copy & Paste link into web
browser)

Questions?
  FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 



Application Deadline: April 2018
HEALTH: Since its founding, hospitals and health agencies have been recipients of foundation awards. Equipment, outreach programs, staff positions, screening and education materials are just a few examples of grants given. Health education programs for at-risk children and their parents, support for the critically ill, AIDS/HIV education programs, and nursing scholarships have all received awards in the past decade. Specific institutions and specific programs, rather than national organizations, are usually given priority.
Telephone: (501) 324-2233
Contact: Anna Kay F. Frueauff, V.P., Communications & Programs Or Alma Willett, Office Mgr.

 
HOW TO APPLY:
Grantseekers are encouraged to visit the foundation's web site for additional information prior to calling or submitting a letter of inquiry. Please re-visit the foundation's website periodically for an update on the funding status
Application form not required.
Applicants should submit the following:

SUBMIT IN APRIL 2018
Copy of IRS Determination Letter
Copies of proposal: 1
Board meeting date(s): May and Nov.
Final notification: After May and Nov. meetings
Deadline April 30, 2018

The Drucker Prize ($100,000) is granted to the organization that best demonstrates Peter Drucker’s definition of innovation: “change that creates a new dimension of performance.” In addition, the judges look for highly effective programs that have made a demonstrable difference in the lives of the people they serve.

Application Deadline: Rolling
Support well-established nonprofit organizations across the nation that address issues within four major areas of interest: education, health, culture, and social service. Health interests include cancer, geriatrics, neonatology, perinatology, pediatrics, women's health, and the disabled.