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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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WVPCA News - Outreach and Enrollment News
Emergency Management News - State News - National News
Funding Opportunities - Upcoming Training Opportunities
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Barbour Community Health Association Hosts
Grand Opening for Philippi Wellness Center
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Barbour Community Health Association team and community leaders joined together for the grand opening of Philippi Wellness Center.
Barbour Community Health Association operates several wellness centers and clinics in West Virginia including Belington Medical Clinic, the Belington Wellness Center, the Myers Clinic, the AB Wellness Center, and the Brandon Wellness Center.
”One of the things that’s important to us is not only do we take care of the medical needs, behavioral health needs, but we want people to be well and we need to provide these places to give them an opportunity to exercise stay healthy as we treat their other health,” Eric Ruf, CEO of Barbour Community Health Association.
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With millions from federal government, WV health centers look forward
Read the entire article from Charleston Gazette Mail here.
Can businesses require proof of vaccination? Experts say yes
Read the entire article from CBSNews here.
Covid-19 surge in Michigan has put hospitals at critical capacity levels
Read the entire article from CNNHealth here.
Average first-dose vaccination in West Virginia sees drop in April
Read the entire article from WVNEWS here.
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Boosting Patient Engagement:
A Framework for Meaningful Engagement
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Please join the WVPCA and Coleman Associates, as we are excited to offer our members a four (4) part webinar series that will assist you in learning how to increase patient engagement in your health center. The webinar series will cover topics important to today's healthcare landscape, and focus on ways to improve productivity (i.e., the capacity to see patients), increase patient access, reduce patient waiting time, develop teamwork, improve staff satisfaction, further patient-centered medical homes, prepare for inevitable evolutions in health care reimbursement and optimize the use of technology wisely. |
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Get Answers!
Health Insurance Marketplace Resources Available
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West Virginia to See Slight Increase in Vaccine Allocation |
West Virginia will see a slight increase in Moderna and Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses as it continues its pause of Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine.
An increase of 5,340 combined Moderna and Pfizer doses will be part of the state's allocation next week. That comes to nearly 98,000 total first and second doses.
West Virginia health officials say they haven't received reports of the rare blood clotting condition that led U.S. authorities to recommend a temporary halt on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine usage. So far, there are only six known cases nationwide of the clotting issue out of over 7 million people who have received the Johnson & Johnson shot.
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Health Center COVID-19 Testing Supply Distribution Program
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FEMA Financial Assistance for Funeral Expenses |
FEMA is now taking up applications for funeral reimbursements that will go to the people, likely family members, who paid for the funerals of those who died of COVID-19.
They will reimburse up to $9,000 for funeral expenses and this can help cover services and arrangements, transportation to identify a deceased individual or transportation of a deceased individual, cremation services, burial plots and headstones and costs associated with producing death certificates.
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Governor Signs Needle Exchange Program Regulations |
Governor Jim Justice has signed a bill to introduce more stringent requirements to needle exchange programs that critics say will make it harder to get clean needles amid a spike in HIV cases in the state.
Justice signed the bill into law. The legislation requires operators to offer an array of health outreach services. Supporters say it will help those addicted to opioids get connected to health care to fight addiction.
The new rules take effect amid one of the nation’s highest spikes in HIV cases related to intravenous drug use. Critics urged Justice to veto the bill, saying it would wipe out existing exchange programs and result in more lives lost.
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Information for COVID-19 Vaccination for Teens |
Please see this recent information from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources regarding the COVID-19 vaccination for teens. Share with others to inform students and families that vaccinations are the most effective path to building immunity to protect our students, families and communities.
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April is National Minority Health Month |
April is National Minority Health Month. Join the Health Resources and Services Administration on Friday, April 23, at 2 p.m. as they recognize National Minority Health Month with a virtual event hosted by our Office of Health Equity.
This year’s theme is #VaccineReady. HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa will provide opening remarks.
Guest speakers will focus on the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on communities of color, and will discuss vaccine promotion and uptake among racial and ethnic minorities
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HHS Expands the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program |
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced today that all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes (LALs) will now be invited to participate in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. These health centers will have the opportunity to join the program as soon as they are ready, increasing the total number of health centers that have been invited to 1,470 nationwide.
This expansion of the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program is part of President Biden’s commitment to ensuring that all of the nation’s underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 are equitably vaccinated. To date, 500 participating health centers have ordered more than 2.5 million doses for nearly 1,500 sites across the country.
If your health center had not been invited previously:
We emailed your Project Director yesterday to invite you (subject line: “BPHC Bulletin: Invitation to the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program”). The email includes instructions on how to participate.
The most important first step is to identify two individuals from your health center who will serve as the main points of contact (POCs) for this program and have them complete self-registration for access to the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program Online Community (VPC) as soon as possible.
Submit questions to Health Center Program Support. Select “Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program”—the fourth option on the “Health Center Program Questions” screen. Then select “COVID-19 Vaccine Program General Inquiry.” You can also call Health Center Program Support at 877-464-4772, option 2, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).
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2021 NHSC Scholarship Program Application Cycle Open |
About the Program:
The NHSC Scholarship Program applicants include health professional students studying to become physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives or physician assistants with a commitment to practice in underserved communities. In exchange, they commit to serve a minimum of two years in high-need, underserved communities. Scholars receive one year of financial support (up to four years) for each year of service at an NHSC-approved site. Accepting applications through May 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM EST.
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Funding and Financial Opportunities |
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Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees |
Health centers, as you engage in efforts to support vaccine distribution, are asked by to HRSA to consider HRSA’s COVID-19 claims reimbursement program for uninsured patients. Through this program, healthcare providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured individuals with a primary COVID-19 diagnosis can request claims reimbursement. Providers can also request reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration to the uninsured. See FAQs about the program.
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PPP Application Deadline Moving to May 31 |
Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will now be accepted through May 31, 2021. The extension from the original March 31 deadline was passed by the House and Senate and has moved on to President Biden for signature. Health centers are eligible for First Draw PPP Loans if they have 500 or more employees but fewer than 500 employees per location. Existing PPP borrowers that did not receive loan forgiveness by Dec. 27, 2020, can reapply for a First Draw PPP loan.
If borrowers previously returned some or all of their First Draw PPP loan funds, they may request to modify their First Draw PPP loan amount if they did not accept the full amount for which they were eligible. Second Draw PPP Loans are only available to entities that have received, plan to use, or have used the First Draw PPP loan for authorized uses in its entirety. Entities must have no more than 300 employees per location and can demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit Program |
HRSA has an exciting opportunity to help health center patients obtain the internet access they need to connect with virtual health care, jobs, and education. Eligible health center patients may apply for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program when it opens in late April. This bulletin provides background information, ideas on how you can prepare to help, and resources.
The EBB program lowers the cost of high-speed internet service to ensure people have the connectivity they need during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. By the end of April, $3.2 billion in funding will be available to provide qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer or tablet. The EBB program is similar to the Lifeline program with expanded eligibility, vendors, and subsidies. This benefit is available directly to eligible consumers on a first come, first served basis. For more information, see the recorded technical assistance webinars and other materials from the FCC-supported technical assistance provider Universal Service Administrative Company.
How You Can Help
- Share information about the EBB program with patients.
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FCC’s EBB webpage (note that the content is available in several languages)
- Fact sheet
- Provide access to the internet at your health center and basic technical support so that patients can complete the application.
HRSA encourages you to develop your plan now to support patients to apply promptly after the application period is announced; funds are expected to go quickly. Health Center Program strategic partners (Health Center Controlled Networks, National Training and Technical Assistance Partners, and Primary Care Associations) can support health centers in their efforts.
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HRSA Healthy Grants Workshop Registration |
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that registration for the 2021 Healthy Grants Workshop – Presented as a Web Series, in now open. Register now for up to eight sessions.
There is no cost to attend and you can attend as many sessions as you would like.
The first session begins in May, followed by a new session every two weeks through August 24. Each session includes two to three topics, from grants policies, financial monitoring, and grant budgeting, to Prior Approvals, an Electronic Handbooks overview, and more.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities |
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Ask Us Anything: Learning Lessons from COVID-19 and Preparing for Future Emergencies |
Join the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for this informative webinar on best and promising practices, innovative approaches for challenging experiences, and successes.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
3:00 PM EST
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SAVED THE DATE
Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
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Join Jim to hear the latest information on funding, the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, and more.
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
2:00 - 3:30 PM EST
Access details coming soon
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Prevention and Management of Maternal and Congenital Syphilis |
Join the Maryland Department of Health’s Center for STI Prevention for a free, CME, lunch-time Syphilis Webinar Series, provided in collaboration with our clinical training partners, the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at Johns Hopkin. Presenters are faculty in the departments of Medicine, Gynecology & Obstetrics, and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine.
Intended audience: clinicians and other staff in internal medicine, family practice, Ob/Gyn, perinatology, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, dermatology, public health, substance
use treatment and more.
Continuing Medical Education Credits available.
Thursday, April 30, 2021
12:00 PM EST
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Elevating an Equitable Health Care System - A Conversation with Civil Rights Leaders |
Join the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for this webinar in honor of National Minority Health Month. NACHC welcome civil rights leaders to discuss how health centers have played a lead role in bringing health care to vulnerable communities.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
2:00 PM EST
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Syphilis Complications, Unusual Presentations,
and Clinical Grey Areas
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Join the Maryland Department of Health’s Center for STI Prevention for a free, CME, lunch-time Syphilis Webinar Series, provided in collaboration with our clinical training partners, the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at Johns Hopkin. Presenters are faculty in the departments of Medicine, Gynecology & Obstetrics, and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine.
Intended audience: clinicians and other staff in internal medicine, family practice, Ob/Gyn, perinatology, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, dermatology, public health, substance
use treatment and more.
Continuing Medical Education Credits available.
Thursday, April 20, 2021
12:00 PM EST
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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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Pandemic Operational Recovery Guide |
Operational disruptions to ambulatory care during and after a pandemic are significant. These disruptions may change many aspects of care delivery in ways that impact providers, staff, and patients alike.
Care may be temporarily limited or delivered in nontraditional ways, and recovery of operations may represent a "new normal."
The handbook contains links to tools as well as links to additional resources for a more comprehensive discussion of individual topics. Readers can refer to descriptive "Strategy" headings in each section, and consult the recommendations, tools, and resources that follow for more detailed information. Although some tools and resources focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be adapted to respond to other public health emergencies.
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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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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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