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April 2, 2020
  WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
    A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
NewsFlash








Read the entire article, originally from TimesWV  here.

Read the entire article, originally from Axios  here.

The Trump administration on Sunday sent a letter to hospitals Sunday "requesting" that they report their COVID-19 testing data to HHS on a daily basis
 Read the entire article, originally from ModernHealthcare   

Read the entire article, originally from  MetroNews  here.

HELP4WV hotline still providing services during COVID-19 pandemic 
Read the entire article, originally from  WVNews  here.
 
EmergencyManagement
HRSA Guidance on COVID-19


 Here is a summary of some recently answered questions:
  • The Bureau of Primary Care (BPHC) will consider COVID-19 impacts when making compliance determinations.
  • Individuals who receive ONLY COVID-19 screening are not considered "patients" for UDS purposes.
  • HRSA operational site visits (OSVs) are suspended through June 30.
  • BPHC still expects health centers to respond to UDS reviewers by March 31.
  • CY2020 BPHC Quality Improvement Awards will not be impacted by COVID since 2019 UDS data will be used to make funding determinations. 
  • Patient targets not expected to influence FY2021 service area competition (SAC) funding levels.
  • No HIPAA penalties for telehealth services provided over Skype, FaceTime, etc.
  • Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage can cover telehealth visits with non-health center patients. When in-scope services are provided through telehealth on behalf of a deemed health center to individuals who are not patients of the health center, and all other FTCA Program requirements are met, such services are eligible for liability protections under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n), pursuant to 42 CFR 6.6. Health centers and providers are encouraged to consult with private counsel and/or consider the purchase of private malpractice insurance when undertaking activities that may not be within the health center's scope of project.
COVID-19 kills 13% of people over age 80, study finds

  A new study shows that the disease caused by the new coronavirus kills about 13.4 percent of patients 80 years and older compared to 0.3 percent of patients in their 40s, according to STAT .

The new study, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, examines data for 70,117 COVID-19 cases in mainland China and 689 cases among people evacuated from Wuhan on repatriation flights.

Researchers found that the fatality rate among all of those infected with the new virus, including asymptomatic patients, is 0.66 percent. The death rate rose with age, with a death rate of:
● 0.3 percent for patients in their 40s
● 1.25 percent for those in their 50s
● 4 percent for those in their 60s
● 8.6 percent for those in their 70s
● 13.4 percent for patients 80 years and up.

The risk of hospitalization also increased with age, from 1.1 percent of patients in their 20s and 3.4 percent of those in their 30s, to 12 percent of those in their 60s and 18.4 percent of those 80 years and older, STAT reports.
Direct Relief Protecting Health Workers Amid a Global Shortage of Protective Gear  


The Covid-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for protective equipment for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals being called upon to maintain regular health services and also care for those who become seriously ill and face the risk of death from the effects of the virus.

Direct Relief is working in overdrive to get protective gear into the hands of as many health workers as possible as quickly as possible, with emergency deliveries leaving daily for medical facilities across the U.S.

Read more  here.

Apply for assistance here.
COVID-19/ NOVEL CORONAVIRUS Pandemic


As you know, information on coronavirus is changing daily.  The WVPCA is working with Federal, State, and local health officials in emergency preparedness activities as well as disseminating appropriate and current information to our Community Health Centers.  This includes up-to-date resources and policies to ensure the continued health and safety of the communities we serve.  

Guidance and resource information can be found on the WVPCA website here and coronavirus.gov.
WVPCA NewsWVPCA_news
WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Bulletin 
The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has received questions from many West Virginians regarding the loss of employment due to COVID-19 and the loss of health insurance.  

To address the questions received this Bulletin is intended to assist West Virginians who have lost their jobs or face reduced income from due to furlough, and to advise of resources that may provide health insurance coverage or assistance in obtaining health insurance coverage.  

Please read the Insurance Bulletin on Loss of Health Insurance  by Furloughed Workers  signed by Commissioner James A. Dodrill on April 1, 2020.
State NewsStateNews
April 1 is Census Day: 

What you need to know about the 2020 census 

Running out of things to do while you're social distancing? Why not fill out the census form?

The 2020 census officially begins on April 1. The census is conducted every 10 years and counts every person living in the U.S. It is used by the federal government to allocate funding and political representation throughout the country. You can respond to the census, online, over the phone or by mail.

One person from each household should complete the census form, and people should be counted in the residence that they are living in on April 1. If people are temporarily living at a residence on April 1 due to COVID-19, they should still be counted at their main residence, according to the Census Bureau. For example,  college students living at home with their parents because their dorm closed  should still be counted at school. 

The census was originally scheduled to be completed in July, but due to the coronavirus pandemic has been extended to end in mid-August.

Census workers will begin to follow up in person with households that have not completed the census at the end of May. Due to COVID-19, people are strongly encouraged to complete the census in a form that does not require in-person contact.

Census data that is submitted online is encrypted, and paper questionnaires that are submitted are destroyed after being processed, according to the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau cannot share your information with any other government agencies, including law enforcement or immigration officials.

During this time, scammers may try to pose as employees from the Census Bureau to steal people's personal information. There are several ways you can protect yourself from fraud during the census.
The Census Bureau will not make phone calls or send emails about the census, and census workers will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, ask for money or ask about anything on behalf of a political party. Mailings from the Census Bureau will come from the U.S. Department of Commerce in Jeffersonville, Ind. A follow up letter may come from the regional office in Dallas.

Census workers all have ID badges that you can ask to see upon request. The badge should have a name, photograph, U.S. Department of Commerce seal and an expiration date. If someone visits your home who you suspect is not a legitimate census worker, call 844-330-2020 to speak to a Census Bureau representative. If it is determined that the person was a scammer, call your local police department.

For more information, visit   2020census.gov.


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Learn more about flu and view the weekly influenza surveillance report here.

Need assistance, contact your Medline representative or  1-800-MEDLINE.
PCMHCorner
Important Changes to NCQA's Recognition Process in Response to COVID-19 Crisis

NCQA would like to express their support of everyone affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, especially the care teams who are on the front lines.
 
They recognize that patients are your priority during this time and that you might need to temporarily pause certain activities associated with your work as a Certified Content Expert (CCE). Although the situation is still evolving, NCQA is extending the March, June and September 2020 certification renewal terms into the fall.  
  • All CCEs with March 2020 certification end dates, regardless of their current status, will be given a new temporary end date of October 31, 2020.
  • All CCEs with June 2020 certification end dates will be given a new temporary end date of November 30, 2020.
  • All CCEs with September 2020 certification end dates will be given a new temporary end date of November 30, 2020. 
During this extension, affected CCEs will maintain active status with all access and benefits associated with certification.
 
If you are a CCE with an end date that falls within the affected period, your new certification renewal window will open ninety days prior to the temporary end date. Once you are within the renewal window and have met the MOC requirements, the My CEC Certification Renewal window will allow you to renew certification. Upon initial renewal, the system will assign you a certification end date of December 31, 2022. After renewal, they will adjust your end date back to align with your original renewal cycle.
 
NCQA will notify you when your certification end date has been updated, so you can download your new PCMH Content Expert Certification certificate from My CEC with your correct start and end dates.
 
Please see NCQA's coronavirus response page to learn how changes to their Recognition process in response to the COVID-19 crisis could affect your NCQA Recognition activities.
 
If you have any questions or if you would like to renew your certification before the new adjust renewal window, please contact them through  My NCQA  so they can adjust your account.
Coronavirus and NCQA
Based on ongoing updates from the CDC and other authorities, NCQA has enacted new policies for NCQA staff, contractors and events.
 
NCQA is prepared to conduct all business activities virtually, if necessary. They will continue to deliver all systems, surveys, support services, contract and grant-related services. Also, they are assessing large meetings, events and conferences with the goal of converting them to virtual events.
 
NCQA will update policies as new information about COVID-19 becomes available.
 
They will continue to follow the COVID-19 situation and make decisions accordingly.
 
They will continue to keep staff, colleagues and partners informed as they learn more.
 
Click here for the latest updates. 
 Announcing 2017 Standards Training 
   
The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA), the District of Columbia Primary Care Association (DCPCA), and the Mid-Atlantic Community Health Centers (MACHC) and are excited to provide our members with the National Committee on Quality Assurance's (NCQA)  Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) 2017 Standards Training Tuesday, July 14 - Thursday, July 16, 2020. The training will be conducted in-person by NCQA's own expert staff members. Our PCAs have worked collaboratively to bring this special training opportunity to our members.
 
During this 2 ½-day training, we are offering two classes: Introduction to PCMH 2017: Foundational Concepts of the Medical Home (1½ days) and Advanced PCMH 2017: Mastering the Medical Home Transformation (1 day). Both these classes are an essential component to understanding all the components of the new PCMH 2017 standards and earning the official NCQA PCMH "Certified Content Expert" designation. For those who do not intend to pursue certification, the training is extremely valuable for implementing PCMH, earning PCMH 2017 recognition and sustaining PCMH status through annual reporting.  
 
This training is being offered to WVPCA, DCPCA, MACHC and at a  greatly-reduced cost of only  $200 per person. For comparison, similar trainings administered by other entities normally costs almost $2,000. We recommend you send 1-3 key people from your health center to the training. Breakfast, lunch, and continuing education are included as part of the registration fee.
 
Please see the "HRSA-Supported NCQA PCMH Training Fact Sheet" for additional information about this training such as training description, agenda, Continuing Education Credit, and benefits of PCMH.
 
 
WVPCA members please use the coupon code: WVPCA2020
 
We ask that all WVPCA members register before Thursday April 30th 2020, as we want to ensure that all PCA members are registered before we share this training invitation to non-members.
  
Additional details on registration:  
  • If staying overnight, the Kellogg Conference Hotel will be offering a special rate of $139  for registrants. In order to obtain the special $139 discounted rate, you will need to call the Kellogg Conference Hotel directly at  (202) 651-6000 and request the rate using DCPCA as a group code. Overnight parking will be available for $40 a night and daily parking will be free for all attendees.
  • Two weeks before the training you will receive a welcome email from NCQA with instructions on how to complete NCQA's portion of your registration for the training. This message will contain links and information directing you to register with NCQA's system in order to receive the training's e-materials, evaluation and certificate distributions. COMPLETE your registration for the training by following the links to NCQA's website and register in their system. There are no additional fees associated with registering on NCQA's system. They will only use the information to manage the training's e-materials, evaluation and certificate distributions.
  • Several weeks before your training date, NCQA will send out a welcome email that contains all PowerPoint presentations from both training which include the 2017 standard for this training. It is the responsibility of each register to download and/or print out these materials prior to the training. No training materials will be made available during these trainings.
National NewsNationalNews

STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Rural Development Launches COVID-19 Resource Webpage

  USDA Rural Development has launched a COVID-19 resource page to keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated on actions taken by the Agency to help rural residents, businesses, and communities impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for information on Rural Development loan payment assistance, application deadline extensions, and more.
 
Trillion Dollar Coronavirus Package Impacts CHC's

The third stimulus package, approved last Friday by Congress, included many significant provisions that impact Community Health Centers.

Two of those provisions include telehealth and 42CFR Part 2.
  • Telehealth Flexibility for the Duration of the Crisis: Authorizes Medicare reimbursement for health centers and rural health clinics as distant sites for the duration of the emergency, not reimbursed at PPS rate but instead "such payment methods shall be based on payment rates that are similar to the national average payment rates for comparable telehealth services under the physician fee schedule under section 1848."
  • Aligns 42 CFR Part 2 SUD Treatment Confidentiality Standards with HIPAA: Allows for additional care coordination by aligning the 42 CFR Part 2 regulations, which govern the confidentiality and sharing of substance use disorder treatment records, with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) once a patient provides consent. This significant, permanent change will allow this data to be re-disclosed for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations as permitted by HIPAA until the patient revokes their consent.
Upcoming Training OpportunitiesUpcomingNationalTraining



Join the HITEQ Center, in collaboration with the National Council for Behavioral Health, for a webinar on understanding from a beginner perspective, how to integrate HIV prevention, screening into integrated behavioral health services, including how to identify patients at risk for HIV with a focus on SUD, facilitate screening, and prompting for rescreening at appropriate intervals.

Useful for: C-suite staff, information technology (IT) leadership and staff, and clinical staff

Thursday, April 23, 2020
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET
_____________________________

Many upcoming trainings and events have been canceled 
or postponed due to the COVID-19 emergency. 
It is best to call 
ahead or check 
with the organizer's websites and contacts to verify the status 
of ALL events and trainings.
_________________




SBA Loans, Payroll Tax Credits & General Business Planning Considerations

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, small businesses across the nation are bearing an especially heavy burden. 

In this week's broadcast, we'll discuss relief measures businesses should be aware of to help navigate these uncertain waters, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans, payroll tax credits and other general business planning opportunities.

Friday, April 3, 2020
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
 __________________________ _____
Join this webinar to learn more about how your telehealth and remote communication can be a long tern solution to maximizing your impact on the Quadruple Aim.  

Virtual Communication involves using a communication tool to allow proactive communication to go out to your patients with specific messages to positively impact staff and patient safety and outcomes!

This webinar will focus on how to make telehealth and other virtual communication service lines sustainable post COVID.

Sustaining Telehealth and Virtual Communication Post COVID-19
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 |3:00 PM ET
SchoolBasedHealth

Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself in Quarantine

The COVID -19 has forced everyone to redefine how we work and play.  The state order, 'Stay-at-home" has created new challenges and significant stress on all of us.  

Being quarantined has massively disrupted what our "normal" is and that alone can be a threat to our own mental health.  Also, many people are worried about others, whether it be in our personal or professional lives.  

In order for us to be the best we can be to help others, we need to check in with ourselves.  There are six daily questions you can ask yourself as a way to reduce the effects of being quarantined.  

Click here for the six daily questions and more.
Funding and Financial Resources
Small Business Administration Loans

Health centers experiencing substantial economic distress as a result of COVID-19 can apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Low-Interest, Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance. Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75% and repayment terms are flexible up to 30 years. 
Capital Link COVID-19 Funding & Financing Resources

Capital Link has added a COVID-19 Resources page to their website with a collection of organizations and lenders that are providing funding for health centers in immediate need of financial assistance. Their upcoming webinars and learning collaborative sessions  that are scheduled over the next few weeks will include information that is tailored to the current circumstances health centers are currently experiencing in this pandemic, in-line with resources and guidance from NACHC and HRSA. 
CommunityHealthCenterResourceCommunity Health Center Resources
 
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.
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

View an archived webinar that provides a guided tour of the Manual and key features. For access to the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website or any other questions, email clinical_rm_program@ecri.org.
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 .

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.
WVPCA Staff

Sherri Ferrell, MBA | Chief Executive Officer
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
Staci Arnold, MBA | Data Service & Integration Specialist
Jennifer Boyd, PA-C, PCMH-CCE | Clinical Consultant
John Kennedy, MA | School-Based Health/Behavioral Health Coordinator
Pam Moore | Member Relations Coordinator
Shannon Parker, MBA, PCMH-CCE | Director of Health Center Operations
Amanda West | Staff Accountant
Emma White, RN | Clinical Quality Improvement Coordinator 
Paula Beasley | Education and Communications Coordinator 
To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter, click HERE
West Virginia Primary Care Association
  1700 MacCorkle Ave. Charleston, WV 25314| (304) 346-0032 | WWW.WVPCA.ORG
STAY CONNECTED:
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.