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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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WVPCA News - Outreach & Enrollment
Emergency Management News - State News - National News
Funding and Financial Opportunities - Training Opportunities
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COVID-19 infection increases risk of developing diabetes, study finds
Read the entire article from ABC News here.
CONSUMER WATCH: FDA declines to approve lung cancer drug
Read the entire article from WVNews here.
More costs from claims, lower performance on investments gives PEIA a cloudy report
Read the entire article from MetroNews here.
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Last week the WVPCA and community health center leaders participated in a Virtual Hill Day with West Virginia’s congressional delegation. This annual event, typically in-person, is held in conjunction with the National Association of Community Health Center’s Policy & Issues Forum. The timeline for and virtual nature of this year’s Hill Day was due to the pandemic.
The WVPCA team and health center leaders had the pleasure of meeting via Zoom with Senator Shelley Moore Capito, as well as staff representatives for Senator Joe Manchin and Representatives David McKinley (1st District), Alex Mooney (2nd District) and Carol Miller (3rd District). The meetings focused on educating members of Congress and their staff about the impact of health centers in the state and advocating for priority policy areas, including:
- Funding for the Section 330 program;
- Protecting the 340B drug discount program;
- Strengthening the health center workforce; and
- Retaining telehealth flexibilities in Medicare post-pandemic.
The WVPCA and our Community Health Centers appreciate the continued support from our Congressional Delegation. During each meeting, gratitude was expressed to our health centers for the role they have played, and continue to play, in providing pandemic response services. In addition to these services, their continued commitment to their communities as well as serving all West Virginians, regardless of ability to pay, was highlighted.
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NACHC Honors McKinley, Capito and
Manchin for Health Center Support
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During Virtual Hill Day, the WVPCA presented Rep. McKinley with NACHC’s 2022 Distinguished Community Health Center Champion Award. Rep. McKinley is one of only 43 members of Congress to receive the award this year in recognition of leading major efforts to support health centers’ mission and work. Notably Rep. McKinley is the lead sponsor of the PROTECT 340B Act (H.R.4390), a bill supported by NACHC and the WVPCA, that provides federal-level protections against practices that harm the 340B drug discount program.
Sens. Capito and Manchin were also presented with NACHC’s 2022 Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award. This award recognizes Congressional Members who took multiple actions on behalf of health centers among the following: signing the FY22 Health Center Appropriations Dear Colleague Letter; SBH Appropriations funding, as well as other key legislation to support and advance the mission of health centers.
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Turning the Tables on Tobacco:
Empowering Families to Live
Healthier Lives Free of Smoke and Nicotine
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Please join the WVPCA and the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership’s Help2Quit project to discuss the important role the pediatric provider plays in helping parents and caregivers understand the harmful effects of second and third hand smoke on babies and young children. This training also features information on how to help adolescent patients. Integrating effective practices into existing pediatric systems of care will also be highlighted. This training will also assist health center staff with strategies to improve tobacco use screening and cessation interventions among their patient populations.
Following this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe tobacco harms, especially as it affects the pediatric population.
- Identify effective prevention strategies to lessen the impact of second and third hand smoke on the pediatric population.
- Explain role and responsibilities of pediatric providers in addressing tobacco harms, prevention and treatment with their patients and their families.
- Describe effective interventions and resources available to pediatric providers to help them address smoking by parents and caregivers of their patients.
PRESENTER: Timothy Lefeber, MD - Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics at West Virginia University School of Medicine
TARGET AUDIENCE: MD, DO, APRN, PA-C, Nurses, MAs, Behavioral Health Providers.
CE/CME Credits Available.
Registration closes on April 18, 2022 at 5:00 PM ET.
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SEP for Consumers at or below
150% Federal Poverty Level
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A new Special Enrollment Period (SEP) opportunity has been introduced for low-income consumers at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is approximately $19,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a family of four. This SEP will be available to consumers who have applied for Marketplace coverage since Open Enrollment ended and who didn’t have access to another SEP from a recent life event, such as a loss of coverage, and will enable eligible consumers to enroll in a Marketplace plan.
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Consumers who think they may qualify for this SEP should visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov to view 2022 plans and prices and enroll in a plan that best meets their needs. Additionally, consumers can call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which provides assistance in over 150 languages. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Consumers can also find a local assister or agent/broker in West Virginia at: https://www.wvinsurance.gov/
Additionally, as part of the most recent Marketplace application update, CMS is introducing the newly redesigned Eligibility Determination Notice. The redesign simplifies the notice to better convey information about eligibility and next steps to certain consumers, easing barriers to getting covered, and helping consumers access and use their health coverage.
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The #CommunityImmunityWV Social Press Kit has Been Updated |
West Virginia has created the COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, an online tool that helps people figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot. Anyone can access the COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator using any device that has access to internet, such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
There has also been added new social media graphics and samples to the Social Press Kit for you to share with your communities to direct them to the calculator and assist them in identifying if and when they may be due for COVID-19 vaccination.
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Register Today for a Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program (CTTTP) - |
West Virginia University School of Dentistry in cooperation with the Health Sciences Center’s Office of Interprofessional Education is recognized nationally/internationally as one of twenty-five Tobacco Treatment Training Programs and is certified by the Council of Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (CTTTP). Professionals in the fields of medicine, dentistry, social work, pharmacy, nursing and public health will present evidence-based strategies to enable attendees to effectively assist their patients/clients/ communities with tobacco cessation. Scholarships (limited to approximately 95) are available for this program.
This course is recommended for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, respiratory therapists, licensed practicing counselors and other health care providers who encounter tobacco using patients/clients.
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Registration Now Open
WV COPD Readmissions Institute
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The COPD Foundation is hosting a first-ever COPD Readmissions Institute in West Virginia.
This is one full day and ½ day virtual event, showcasing best practices from practitioners from WV and around the U.S. involving the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COPD.
When: April 28-29, 2022
Cost: Free
Where: Virtual event
Who Should Attend? – Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, nurses, pharmacists, quality staff, and others involved in the care of patients with COPD.
Registration is limited to 65 organizations -- this allows for an organization to register and have several staff to attend the virtual event, with the organization receiving resources and educational materials from the COPD Foundation.
Information will be shared in the coming weeks on registration for this event.
If you have any questions concerning this rare training workshop event, please contact Stephanie Williams, Senior Director of Community Education Programs, with the COPD Foundation, at swilliams@copdfoundation.org.
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On March 30 of each year, we celebrate National Doctors’ Day! This special day was established to recognize the incredible work of physicians and the contributions to the communities they live in. The first Doctors’ Day was celebrated on March 30, 1933, and the initial celebration involved mailing greeting cards to doctors and placing flowers on deceased doctors’ graves.
In 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day, and in 1990, the House and Senate introduced joint legislation (S.J. Res. 366) that made March 30 a national observance. On October 30, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed an executive order (it became public law 101-473) designating March 30 as “National Doctors’ Day.”
The WVPCA would like to thank all doctors who continually enrich patients’ lives. Let us know how you celebrate National Doctors' Day. Email your comments and photos to events@wvpca.org.
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Quarterly 340B Program Registration |
Quarterly 340B Program site registration is open from April 1 to 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that has been verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks Form 5B through Friday, May 27. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the July 1 start. Email the 340B Prime Vendor Program or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm ET) to register a new site or ask questions. You will need to provide the following information when calling: health center name, site/clinic name, site IDs for all sites, HRSA/BPHC grant number, contact name and email address and authorizing official name and email address. The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked and a registration may be submitted.
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Bureau of Health Workforce Virtual
All Grantee and Stakeholder Meeting
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As critical part of the health care landscape and your voice plays an important role in the work we do at HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW).
On April 5-6, BHW will host the first ever BHW Virtual All Grantee and Stakeholder Meeting. The meeting theme is, “Equity, Resilience, and Community Needs: The Future of America’s Health Workforce.”
This meeting will provide an opportunity for BHW’s network – grantees and their trainees, stakeholders, Federal Advisory Committees, and BHW staff – to discuss their programs, develop partnerships, and share successes in order to impact the larger rural and underserved health care landscape. The meeting agenda includes additional information.
Registration deadline is March 25, 2022.
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2022 NHSC New Site
Application Cycle is Now Open
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Eligible healthcare facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. NHSC-approved sites provide outpatient, primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Sites must contact their State Primary Care Office (PCO) when applying for, or inquiring about, a HPSA designation.
The 2022 NHSC New Site Application Cycle is now open for sites that:
- Have never been approved for NHSC, including sites that have applied and had their application denied or cancelled.
- Are currently an inactive NHSC site due to expiration or past compliance issues.
Interested sites and treatment facilities should review the Site Reference Guide (SRG) for details on how to become NHSC approved.
Why be NHSC approved?
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Recruit and retain qualified providers using NHSC loan repayment programs and attract NHSC scholars who are ready to fulfill their service obligation at sites like yours.
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Post vacancies to the Health Workforce Connector.
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Participate in HRSA Virtual Job Fairs to connect with job-seeking primary care trainees and practicing clinicians.
Accepting applications through Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. E.T.
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Funding and Financial Resources |
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FCC Extends Application Deadline for Rural Healthcare Connect Program to June 1 |
The FCC has extended the application deadline for the Rural Healthcare Connect Program from April 1 to June 1. All rural FQHCs are encouraged to apply, as they are guaranteed to receive a 65% flat discount on an array of communications services, including internet access, dark fiber, business data, traditional digital service line (DSL), and private carriage services.
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Registration Open for NACHC Financial Operations Training |
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) training workshop, Financial Operations Management 2 (FOM2), is an intermediate-level workshop that provides insight and understanding of the core qualities needed to approach the business aspects of financial operations, management, and service delivery. This is an intermediate-level seminar approved for up to 11.4 CPE credits. The FOM2 training agenda is packed with the essential financial management tools and techniques to help empower health center CFOs, CEOs, COOs and managers to maximize financial performance, engage in contract negotiations and leverage technology for better decision-making. Learn more and register for this May 25-26 virtual training.
Early bird registration ends May 11, 2022.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities |
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SAVE THE DATE
Today with Macrae:
Health Center
Program Updates
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Join Jim to hear about BPHC REACH, funding, progress reporting and more.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
2:00 PM ET
Access details coming soon
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Developing Workforce Retention and Resiliency within an Integrated Care Setting |
This webinar will cover strategies to bolster healthcare workforce retention and prevent workforce burnout.
The impact of COVID on healthcare worker retention and burnout has been staggering. According to the American Medical Association, nearly half (49%) of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout.
The National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report states that since 2015, the average hospital has turned over 89% of its workforce and COVID has accounted for a 10% decrease in healthcare employment.
Presenters: Philip H. Rainer, M.S.W., LCSW-R, SAP; Fran Basche, M.A.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
1:00 PM ET
1.0 CE is available
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Billing and Coding Best Practices to Sustain Integrated Behavioral Health Services |
This 60-minute, virtual peer learning office hours event is geared toward behavioral health service providers and individuals within health centers tasked with documenting, billing, and coding integrated behavioral health services.
This event will include a brief presentation of integrated behavioral health documentation and billing and coding to support financial sustainability, followed by an interactive activity providing a series of behavioral health consultant clinical encounter examples to determine corresponding CPT codes and diagnosis.
Finally, presenters will field specific questions related to integrated behavioral health services documentation, billing, and coding. Participants may receive 1.0 CEs for attending this session.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
12:00 PM ET
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Two Years On: What the Data Says about Health Centers’ COVID-19 Efforts |
Health centers have been on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, with staff tirelessly working to protect and treat their community. This webinar will highlight the data collected by health centers throughout this time with the opportunity for participants to reflect on and share their experience.
Tuesday, April 7, 2022
12:00 PM ET
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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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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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