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WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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We offer this publication as a member service of the West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA).
If you have questions regarding our organization, WVPCA membership, or if you have content to suggest for this newsletter, please contact
Pam Moore, Member Relations Coordinator, by email or by phone at (304) 346-0032.
Sincerely,
West Virginia Primary Care Association
1700 MacCorkle Avenue
Charleston, WV 25314-1518
304-346-0032
1-877-WVA-HLTH
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Quick Links: In This Issue.....
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National Influenza Vaccination Week
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Previous flu vaccination coverage data have shown that few people get vaccinated against influenza after the end of November.
- CDC and its partners choose December for NIVW to remind people that even though the holiday season has begun, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine.
- As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout flu season in order to protect as many people as possible against flu.
- Vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond. It's not too late to vaccinate.
- While vaccination is recommended before the end of October, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial during most seasons for people who have put it off.
- Even if you have already gotten sick with flu, you can still benefit from vaccination since many different flu viruses spread during flu season and most flu vaccine protects against four different flu viruses.
Get the word out in your community by using the CDC's website tools, toolkit, videos, and more, all found
here.
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The 2020 Assister Readiness Webinar Series - On Demand
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Just a reminder that CMS has on-demand webinars to supplement the 2020 web-based Assister Certification Training:
The remaining training webinar is
Friday, December 6th at 2 pm ET
You can access Week 1 and 2's on-demand modules online.
We are happy to bring you this supplemental training and hope you will join us for the Assister Readiness Webinar Series. We hope these videos are a useful tool to help you get ready for Open Enrollment!
Additional resources to assist in your Outreach and Enrollment efforts can be found on the WVPCA website
as well as on the WV Office of the Insurance Commissioner (WVOIC) website.
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Emergency Preparedness
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Link to join and for calendar invite, click here. |
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Shining a Light on Winter Depression
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Winter does not officially begin until Dec. 21, but as the days grow shorter and sunlight exposure becomes scarcer, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) becomes more common. SAD is a type of depression that occurs during the late fall and early winter and often ends by spring or early summer. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but research points to lack of light as the main contributor.
"SAD is not a minor condition, but because people typically experience it only during certain months, they don't see it as a serious issue. However, it is imperative to treat," says Dr. Paolo Cassano, a psychiatrist who specializes in low-level light therapy at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
Read the full article by Harvard Health Publishing here. |
WVPCA News
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WVPCA Gives Back to Local Children in Need
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For the second year, the employees of the WVPCA were able to provide a different type of outreach to our community by participating in the Secret Santa program. This year we were able to adopt two families with 2 girls each, totaling four children (double last year!).
The families are residents of Kanawha and Boone counties, which means that everything donated stays in West Virginia. The great news is that we were able to buy each of the girls a warm winter coat, hat and glove set, an outfit, an additional pant or shirt, shoes, and four toys each (3 of their request and a bonus toy). We look forward to continuing this annual tradition
with
our staff.
Also, a special "thank you" to Amanda and Pam for heading up this year's donation efforts!
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| A few items purchased by the WVPCA staff. |
Toys, boots, and jackets will go to local girls in need. |
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State News
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WV Health Alert: Update on Vaping-Associated Lung Injuries
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On behalf of our State Health Officer please see an update on vaping-associated lung injuries, including reporting requirements and guidance for healthcare providers on evaluating patients with suspected e-cigarette, or vaping product use associated lung injuries. Please distribute widely to public health partners.
To read the full WV HAN 163, click here, and find the related clinical evaluation resource here.
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State CHIP now covers maternal services
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The West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program will now cover maternity services, the state Department of Health and Human Resources announced on Tuesday.
People eligible for coverage include current members and newly pregnant women older than 19 years old with an income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level and no other health insurance coverage.
Coverage includes medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, behavioral health and prenatal care, in which a mother is eligible for services for 60 days after delivery and the child is eligible for coverage for up to one year.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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WV Project ECHO Announces Two Upcoming Training Events
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For more information on both events, visit wvctsi.org/ wvprojectecho and to submit cases, go to https://idr.wvctsi.org/endo. All case submissions and questions welcome, so please let us know what topics you'd like to hear about during this session.
For more information contact Jay Mason, Kayetlyn Edinger, or Mithra Mohtasham.
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Financial and Operational Benchmarking Trends and Techniques | Capital Link, a HRSA-funded NCA
12.12.2019 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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The Road to Trauma-Informed Care in Primary Care |
National Center for Health in Public Housing, a HRSA-funded NCA
12.5.2019 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Register here
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The American Heart Association | The West Virginia Stroke Conference
12.5.19 | 7:55am-4:55pm ET
This conference will provide the best foundation of resources to improve stroke care and will promote networking with others across the region.
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12.5.19 | 10:00a.m. ET
In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Health Resources and Services Administration will hold a 90-minute webinar on the ways rural primary care providers are increasing access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, also known as PrEP. When taken daily,
PrEP reduces the risk of contracting the virus that causes AIDS. Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, and by at least 74% among people who inject drugs.
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National News
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CMS Releases Final Rule for the 2020 Physician Fee Schedule
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| CMS recently issued the 2020 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, which includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare PFS effective on or after January 1, 2020. See the press release and fact sheet for more information. |
Funding Opportunities
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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) offers matching grants to support community-based initiatives that provide dental homes to children who are under-served and/or have limited access to oral healthcare.
Funding may be used for:
- Child oral healthcare
- Clinic supplies, instruments, and equipment
- Salary
- Education and/or outreach to recruit dentist participation in program activities
- Special healthcare needs
Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Dec 20, 2019
Sponsor: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
For eligibility information and to apply click here. |
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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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:
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Risk Management Programs & Plans
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Claims and Lawsuits
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Role of the Risk Manager
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Patient Grievances and Complaints
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Communication with Patients
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Credentialing and Privileging
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Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
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Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations
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ECRI Institute
The
ECRI Institute
offers numerous policy templates that can be used as guidance consistent with the needs of community health centers. To take a look at their library of policy templates, click
here
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If you are not an ECRI member, creating a free account before accessing these materials is required. ECRI Institute resources are provided for free on behalf of HRSA.
To Access Policies:
- From the main page, click on the clinical risk management link on the left hand side of the page
- Click sample policies and tools listed under tool-kits on left side of page
Click on the + sign to access individual templates.
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WVPCA Staff
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
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To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter, click
HERE
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West Virginia Primary Care Association
1700 MacCorkle Ave. Charleston, WV 25314| (304) 346-0032 |
WWW.WVPCA.ORG
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