Updates from your ACE team
Expand your practice to achieve financial independence
As we head toward the end of the year, the September 30 th deadline for extending health center funding is top of mind for all of us. The good news, according to NACHC's last update before the August recess, is that there's strong support.

But it serves as a good reminder of why it's so important for FQHCs to implement initiatives that achieve financial stability, allowing grant funding to be used for expansion activities vs operational needs. We'll spend the next few months refocusing on core fundamentals and growth strategies that can help you do this, and share some of our success stories.

This month, HRSA released 2018 UDS data and a fact sheet highlighting the expanded role health centers now play in driving quality advancements and setting standards for emerging health issues. We're especially excited to see how much growth there's been over the past ten years in the number of patients served by health centers, since we know that increasing patient numbers is critical to practice expansion and financial independence. More on this below!

Also in this issue we cover a recent CMS letter to States, a new resource for dentists to help prevent childhood obesity, and a fantastic initiative putting real faces and stories to those helped by Medicaid. We hope you find these interesting!
Labor Day Holiday

Happy Labor Day from our ACE family to yours!

In observance of the holiday, our offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 nd and will reopen on Tuesday, September 3 rd.
Are your patient numbers increasing each year?
Expanding your patient base is a key contributor to achieving financial independence!

We specialize in finding innovative ways to expand your practice, both in patient numbers and the services offered, to meet the needs of your community. One of the ways we do this is by fostering relationships with like-minded practices, and working with centers to align with specialties like Infectious Disease, or sub-specialties like Endocrinology or Pulmonary which have the greatest potential to help patients who need those services.

We also offer other capabilities which complement and support expansion, including revenue cycle management, behavioral health, and pharmacy/specialty pharmacy.
Media watch and other useful info
HRSA UPDATES

HHS funding for quality improvement
As highlighted in the 2018 data, HRSA-funded health centers are playing an increasingly important role in driving quality improvement and setting standards for emerging health priorities.

To encourage ongoing advancements and delivery of patient-centered care, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $107 million last week to 1,273 health centers across the nation.

Read more in the HRSA press release.

Resource for dental community to help prevent childhood obesity
In a project funded by HRSA, the Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, in collaboration with the Center for Obesity Research and Education, has developed a "Nutrition Counseling and Obesity Prevention Handbook". The handbook provides a useful resource for the dental community to help play a role in preventing childhood obesity.

Download a copy of the free handbook on the Temple University website.

Stay up to date with HRSA's latest news.
2018 UDS data now available
According to HRSA's latest data, health centers treat one in 12 people nationwide, one in 9 children, and are increasingly well-positioned to meet the nation’s most common and pressing health care needs.

Read more about how health centers are driving industry quality improvements in the Health Center Program fact sheet.
Medicaid: the stories behind the data
Medicaid covers one in five Americans, but what are the stories behind the data?

That’s Medicaid , a new initiative from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shares the stories of people helped by Medicaid at critical points in their lives.

Do you know a story that may be a good fit? Submit via their website.  
CMS UPDATES

Guidance on immigrant eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP coverage
Last week, CMS issued a State Health Official Letter (SHO) providing guidance to States, outlining sponsor deeming and repayment requirements for certain immigrants seeking Medicaid and CHIP coverage. Read the full letter on the website.

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