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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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Member Spotlight - Emergency Management News - WVPCA News -
O/E - State News - National News - Funding Opportunities
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Health care workers express overwhelming fatigue as COVID-19 cases surge across the country
Read the entire article from CBSNews here.
When Covid-19 closed schools, Black, Hispanic and poor kids took biggest hit in math, reading
Read the entire article from NBSNews here.
Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint
Read the entire article from The New York Times here.
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E.A. Hawse Health and Petersburg Shop N Save
Express Partnering for New Health Program
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E. A. Hawse Health Center is partnering with Petersburg Shop and Save Express to be a part of our Healthy Food Assist Program.
This program will be available to all E. A. Hawse Health Center patients that are enrolled in the obesity weight management program or the diabetic nutrition program. Reaching nutritional goals can be hard and the biggest barrier is access to affordable, healthy food. Jim Rader, Jr., Store Manager at Shop and Save has graciously volunteered to donate produce to our program! (Thanks Jim!)
Elizabeth Stutler, MS RD LD (Registered Dietician) will be educating patients on how to use the produce as well as provide them with recipes. We believe that providing fresh produce and education on preparation can help eliminate any barriers to access affordable, health food. This will help our patients reach nutritional goals and decrease the obesity rate in West Virginia.
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Free In-Home COVID-19 Tests Offered
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West Virginians will soon be able to get tested for COVID-19 in their own homes, state officials said.
The state Department of Health and Human Resources plans to begin offering free, in-home COVID-19 testing kits from Vault Health Inc. “within a couple of weeks,” said DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch.
Residents will be able to call or go online and request that a test kit be mailed to them, said Gov. Jim Justice.
“These are saliva-based test kits available to West Virginia residents at no cost to them,” he said. “Any fees will be waived once a West Virginia address is entered on the Vault Health site.”
Test results should be received within 24 to 48 hours, said Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s COVID-19 czar.
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AMA Announces Vaccine-Specific CPT Codes |
The American Medical Association (AMA) has published an update to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new vaccine-specific codes to report immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CPT Editorial Panel has approved a unique CPT code for each of two coronavirus vaccines as well as administration codes unique to each such vaccine. The new CPT codes clinically distinguish each coronavirus vaccine for better tracking, reporting and analysis that supports data-driven planning and allocation. Importantly, these CPT codes are available prior to the public availability of the vaccines to facilitate updating of health care electronic systems across the U.S.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Helpful Resources |
The rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccines is both exciting and daunting, but there is a great deal that we can do in preparation for this rollout.
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Emergency Use Authorization to Prevent COVID-19 |
Data and information needed to support the issuance of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by FDA have been outlined in guidance from FDA entitled “Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19 (released October 2020)”. The guidance also discusses FDA’s current thinking regarding the circumstances under which the issuance of an EUA would be appropriate, including the safety and efficacy data to support an EUA.
To request an EUA request for an investigational COVID-19 vaccine, the following information must be submitted to FDA:
• Chemistry, manufacturing, and controls information (CMC)
• Nonclinical data and information
• Clinical data and information
• Administrative and regulatory information
FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) reviews and evaluates data concerning the safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use of vaccines that are intended for use in the prevention of human diseases, and, as required, any other products for which FDA has regulatory responsibility.
VRBPAC will convene open sessions on COVID-19 vaccines with meeting materials available on FDA’s website. Sessions include general discussion of the development, authorization, and/or licensure of vaccines to prevent COVID-19. FDA expects to convene an open session of FDA’s VRBPAC prior to the issuance of any EUA for a COVID-19 vaccine, to discuss whether the available data support authorization of an EUA for the specific vaccine under review.
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FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: 340B Drug Pricing Program |
You’re a master of your craft, and we’re big fans! Please join BKD & The West Virginia Primary Care Association for the last installment of our Financial Management Training Series. Our healthcare pros will provide helpful guidance on the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Topics will include recent challenges, compliance requirements, and strategies to help increase compliance and savings.
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe compliance initiatives and performance improvement strategies
- Recognize current 340B Drug Pricing Program challenges for community health centers (CHC)
- Discuss 340B Drug Pricing Program manufacturer barriers and evaluate strategic tools to measure effects
Presenters: BKD Trusted Advisors - Brian Bell, Managing Director and Ingrid Brauer, Senior Consultant II
Target Audience: CHC CFOs, COOs, and operational and finance leaders.
There is no cost for health centers for this training event.
CPE Information: Up to 1.5 CPE credits in the Specialized Knowledge field of study may be awarded upon verification of participant attendance, during live broadcast.
Registration closes on December 16, 2020 at 12:00 PM EST.
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Josh Austin Joins WVPCA Staff |
Before joining the West Virginia Primary Care Association as Policy and Communications Director, Joshua Austin served as Provider Strategic Initiatives Director and then Provider Contracting Director at The Health Plan of West Virginia, a not-for-profit health insurer. In these roles, he led health system contract negotiations and renegotiations and played a key role in developing The Health Plan’s successful West Virginia Medicaid request for proposals response. Additionally, he established relationships with strategic provider groups to advance value-based health care and operationalized those agreements.
He also served as a Program Manager at the West Virginia University School of Public Health. In various positions at the School, he coordinated the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’s State Innovation Model grant for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and assisted the West Virginia Health Care Authority in developing a state health plan. Lastly, he worked with providers, insurers and a charitable foundation to sustain the West Virginia Partnership for Health Innovation, an organization committed to moving the state toward value-based health care.
Mr. Austin is a three-time graduate of West Virginia University (MA/BA in Political Science and BS in Journalism) and a graduate of the University of Glasgow in Scotland (MSc in International Politics), which he attended as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
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December Assister Meeting Date Change |
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Please note that the December assister meeting date has changed. The new date is Tuesday, December 8, 2020. This meeting is to provide Assister and Stakeholders a chance to come together to discuss Federal and State updates. This will also provide an opportunity to share on-going efforts and strategies.
Please come ready to discuss what your organization has planned for the final week of enrollment.
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HIV National Strategic Plan Posted for Public Comment |
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and its Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), has been coordinating development by federal partners throughout HHS and other departments of the next iteration of the national strategy to address the HIV epidemic. The draft HIV National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to End the HIV Epidemic 2021-2025 (HIV Plan) provides a framework to end HIV by 2030. Please consider providing feedback to this important HIV Plan as the federal government moves forward with efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
OIDP has published a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register to solicit input on the draft HIV Plan. HHS seeks input from a broad mix of stakeholders on whether the plan’s goals, objectives, and strategies appropriately address HIV and whether there are any critical gaps.
The draft HIV Plan and a link to the Federal Register notice for public inspection are posted on www.HIV.gov. All comments must be submitted electronically to HIVPlanComments@hhs.gov no later than 5:00 pm ET on December 14, 2020.
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Faith Based SUD Workshop Series Launched |
The Office of National Drug Control Policy recently launched a Rural Faith-Based Leaders Workshop series called: Empowering Faith Leaders to Help Persons with Substance Use Disorder and the first workshop will take place on Tuesday, December 8th from 1-2:30pm EST.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities |
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Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
This workshop will present an overview of the expansion of telehealth during COVID-19 and a discussion of The Joint Commission’s standards and survey process to evaluate the quality and safety of telehealth services will be discussed.
Presenter: Christina L. Cordero, PhD, MPH, Project Director, Department of Standards and Survey Methods, Division of Healthcare Quality Evaluation
Thursday, December 10, 2020
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
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Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Highlights: Federal Activities and Approaches to Advance Social Determinants of Health Data Use and Interoperability in Support of Community Health Centers |
Join this HITEQ Center webinar, where the The Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will present on the current state of federal activities and standards based approaches for collecting, sharing, and using SDoH data with a focus on technical and policy considerations. The presentation will describe available standards, tools, and initiatives for health center use and input.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
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Rural America:
The Current State of
Health Care Access
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NACHC and Capital Link are pleased to host Alan Morgan, the CEO of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), as keynote faculty for this national learning event. Increase your understanding of the current reality of health care in rural America and consider provocative and innovative ideas on how health centers are an invaluable solution.
This one-hour webinar will highlight challenges, successful partnership approaches and a post-election operational impact analysis. Health centers serve as critical components to the healthcare delivery and economic infrastructure of rural America. Join us for a thoughtful, rural-centric education session sure to inform many stakeholders committed to improving health outcomes in rural America.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
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Improving Social Determinants of Health - Getting Further Faster |
The National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) has partnered with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to offer Improving Social Determinants of Health – Getting Further Faster. The aim is not to fund new innovation, but rather identify existing projects that could benefit from a thorough evaluation – leading to a rural-specific evidence base. Applications are due Tuesday December 8, 2020 at 5:00pm ET. For questions about this opportunity, email chronicdisease@astho.org.
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FCC Connected Care Pilot Program – Applications now being accepted |
The Connected Care Pilot Program will provide up to $100 million from the Universal Service Fund (USF) over a three-year period to selected applicants to support the provision of connected care services. The Pilot Program will provide funding for selected pilot projects to cover 85% of the eligible costs of broadband connectivity, network equipment, and information services necessary to provide connected care services to the intended patient population. The Pilot Program will not fund end-user devices or medical equipment.
- New FCC Program to provide financial support to certain types of health care providers – including FQHCs – to provide “connected care” services.
- Target populations are low-income and/or veteran patients, with issues such as diabetes management, opioid dependency, high-risk pregnancies, and mental health conditions.
- All FQHCs are eligible, regardless of whether they are urban or rural.
- Funding will cover 85% of eligible costs, including broadband connectivity, network equipment, and information services necessary to provide connected care services to the intended patient population.
Applying to the FCC Connected Care Pilot Program
- PCAs and HCCNs can apply on behalf of multiple FQHCs.
- Groups who received funding under the FCC’s COVID telehealth program can apply for this pilot program.
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Applications are due Monday, December 7, 2020, at 11:59pm est.
- $100 million in funding available.
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Community Health Center Resources |
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Jackson Kelly attorneys provide limited consultation to all members of the WVPCA at no charge, as part of the WVPCA contract. There is no limit to the number of calls which any member may make. All inquiries within the scope of professional competence of firm attorneys will be addressed. Inquiries which require expertise not available through the firm will be promptly identified and, when requested, Jackson Kelly will assist in referring the matter to accounting firms, insurance agents, or others as circumstances warrant.
All inquiries, responses and consultation services provided by the firm lawyers will be provided without additional charge beyond the retainer amount, except for matters which require formal opinions, representation of record in litigation, transactional work, e.g. the purchase or sale of real property, or matters which require continued representation, research or consultation beyond a single inquiry or document review.
Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA. Justin can be reached at 304.340.1358 and via email at justin.harrison@jacksonkelly.com.
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Jackson Kelly attorneys provide limited consultation to all members of the WVPCA at no charge, as part of the WVPCA contract. There is no limit to the number of calls which any member may make. All inquiries within the scope of professional competence of firm attorneys will be addressed. Inquiries which require expertise not available through the firm will be promptly identified and, when requested, Jackson Kelly will assist in referring the matter to accounting firms, insurance agents, or others as circumstances warrant.
All inquiries, responses and consultation services provided by the firm lawyers will be provided without additional charge beyond the retainer amount, except for matters which require formal opinions, representation of record in litigation, transactional work, e.g. the purchase or sale of real property, or matters which require continued representation, research or consultation beyond a single inquiry or document review.
Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA. Justin can be reached at 304.340.1358 and via email at justin.harrison@jacksonkelly.com.
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Risk Management Manual for Health Centers Now Available! |
The Risk Management Manual for Health Centers is now available on the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website! Designed to support a proactive approach to risk management at health centers and free clinics, the Manual provides background, tips, and how-tos in a manageable format.
Specific areas that are covered include:
Risk Management Programs & Plans
Claims and Lawsuits
Role of the Risk Manager
Patient Grievances and Complaints
Communication with Patients
Credentialing and Privileging
Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations
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COVID-19 Resources for Health Centers |
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Federally qualified health centers and free clinics are on the front line in testing and treating patients who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Use these resources to keep your staff and patients safe:
In addition, ECRI's COVID-19 Resource Center includes free resources addressing the provision of clinical care and managing the supply chain. Updated several times per week, highlights include:
Additional guidance is available directly from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including:
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Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
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To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter: |
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1700 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
Charleston, WV 25314
Phone: 304.346.0032
Toll Free: 1.877.WVA HLTH
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This project is/was supported partially/fully by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U58CS06834 State and Regional Primary Care Associations. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. |
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