Member Spotlight
Congratulations
to G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center for Securing and Operating the Nation's First Mobile Isolation Medical Unit
G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center is making headlines by erecting and operating the country's first mobile COVID-19 unit at its Canton clinic. “People will actually be able to go directly to these units instead of coming into the building,” said Dr. James Coleman, chief executive officer at G.A. Carmichael FHC. The purpose is to have an isolated medical clinic for COVID-19 patients. To read one of the media stories, click here.
CHCAMS Delivers
Garments to Stewpot Community Services
As part of CHCAMS' holiday service project, staff and leadership collected socks and hats and donated the items to Stewpot Community Services in Jackson. Stewpot runs several programs that touch those in need and who experience food insecurity or are unhoused. CHCAMS Outreach program director Maria Morris (left) dropped off the donation with Stewpot outreach staff member Reggie Wiggins (center) and Stewpot executive director The Rev. Jill Buckley.
MS-CHCs Represented in Group Receiving
First COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine in Mississippi
CHCAMS clinical quality director Dr. Sonja Fuqua, RN, was one of the first five in Mississippi to receive the first of two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Fuqua (photo right, seated) was joined by (left to right) Dr. Leandro Mena, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Dr. Paul Byers, and Jim Craig at the Mississippi State Department of Health to receive their shots last week. Here is the news story about the COVID-19 Mississippi vaccination effort kick-off.
FQHC Economic Impact Infographic
Now Available 

This National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) infographic highlights the $63.4 billion in economic activity that health centers generate annually, as well as the 455,000 jobs they create. The infographic also has state-level information on health centers' employment and economic activity.

Briefs
Provide Relief Fund Round Three Review Completed
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced it has completed review of Phase 3 applications from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program and will distribute $24.5 billion to over 70,000 providers. Up from the $20 billion originally planned, the addition of another $4.5 billion in funding is being used to satisfy close to 90 percent of each applicant’s reported lost revenues and net change in expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of 2020.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes this pandemic has upended the health care system and caused significant financial hardships. These resources, along with previous distributions, have provided much-needed relief. Payment distribution started last Wednesday and will continue through January 2021. Read more. "
Vaccine Administration Interim Final Rule Published
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule establishing vaccine-related coverage provisions for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and private insurance. The new interim final rule, published Nov. 6 in the Federal Register, states that providers can receive free vaccines from the federal government but will be prohibited from charging consumers for the administration. Under Medicare there would be no cost-sharing for COVID-19 vaccines. For individuals without health coverage, providers can be reimbursed through HRSA’s COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement Program. NACHC believes vaccine administration requirements could present costs to health centers and that state Maintenance of Effort requirements could adversely impact FQHC reimbursements and will be submitting comments. NACHC has written this memo in response to the rule. CMS issued toolkits aimed at State Medicaid Agencies, providers who will administer the vaccine, and health insurance plans. The deadline for comments on the rule is Jan. 4, 2021. For program instruction click here. 
CHCAMS Hosts CHCs Vaccine Champions Group

In preparation for Mississippians receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, CHCAMS has launched the Vaccine Champions group.

These weekly meetings are designed to help health centers navigate the phases of preparedness and provider enrollment for administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

"There will be a lot of information, questions, and expectations over the next few weeks, and we want to assure that our community health centers are strategically positioned to meet the challenges ahead," said Dr. Sonja Fuqua, who heads up COVID-19 vaccine information efforts at the PCA. Meetings are held each Thursday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 p.m. "We understand participants may not be able to make every meeting, but we’d like to provide the opportunity for networking, collaboration, and provision of resources. Alternate staff from your centers are welcome," said Dr. Fuqua.

Contact Sonja Fuqua for the Zoom link.
Online Resources for Providers Planning to Give COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Mississippi State Department of Health has information available to those who plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Visit the Health Department site here.
COVID-19 Clearninghouse
To access the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse, please email Kathryn Rodenmeyer for the link.
Thank You for Completing
the RTAT Survey 
There is still time to fill out the survey. The RTAT survey is just one of the programs under the CHCAMS Health Professions Education and Training Initiative. The link for the survey is here.





The Division of Medicaid’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0024 Physician UPL has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). You can view the SPA and State Plan via this link. The State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0024 Physician Upper Payment Limit (UPL) has been submitted to allow the Division of Medicaid to update the initial Medicare equivalent of the average commercial rate (ACR) ratio, effective January 1, 2021.
The Division of Medicaid’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0028 Dental Reimbursement Update has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). You can view the SPA and State Plan via this link.
This SPA has been submitted in order to comply with federal Medicaid regulations. 42 C.F.R. § 447.201 requires the Division of Medicaid to submit an SPA describing the policy and methods used in setting payment rates for each type of service included in the Mississippi State Plan.
CHCAMS Training Updates

Check your inbox for the
CHCAMS Training Newsletter each Wednesday.

To sign up for the training newsletter,
please contact Desiree Stinson.
News To Use
Funding Opportunities
Grants with ongoing deadlines can be found here .
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