Cempa Community Care has announced five managerial and leadership promotions across the organization. “We are very excited to announce these well-deserved promotions that will strengthen our organization,” said Cempa Community Care CEO Shannon Stephenson.

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Cherokee Health Systems medical staff speak with NPR about why Black Americans are more likely to be saddled with medical debt.

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Community Health of East Tennessee recently received a grant from The Campbell Enhancement Fund, who awarded eight grants to local nonprofits for a total of $15,180 split between the local groups.

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Erlanger Community Health Centers are offering help during the 2023 open enrollment period from Nov. 1-Dec. 15. Trained assisters at Erlanger Community Health Centers are providing one-on-one help to guide people through the enrollment process for the Marketplace, Medicare or Medicaid enrollment period. 

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Demand for long-acting contraceptives has spiked this year, and one nonprofit in Nashville has seen nearly twice as many patients compared to the previous year.

A Step Ahead is working with Neighborhood Health and the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center to provide medical care so that patients can have the access to their choice of birth control.

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This year, Primary Care and Hope Clinic celebrates its 30th anniversary and opened a new 20,000-square foot facility in Smyrna.

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Governor

Incumbent Bill Lee (R) won re-election as Tennessee’s Governor and will serve another four-year term. Lee defeated Dr. Jason Martin (D). 

Members of the TN General Assembly

House 

All of Tennessee’s members of the House of Representatives come up for re-election every two years. Of the 99 seats up for re-election, 84 incumbents kept their seats, and 15 House members were newly elected. 

Senate

Senators who represent odd numbered districts were up for re-election. Of the 33 seats, 17 seats were up for re-election. Fourteen incumbents kept their seats and three senators were newly elected. 

View a list of newly elected members of the General Assembly.

Members of Congress 

Every Tennessee member of the Tennessee House of Representatives won re-election. In the 5th Congressional District, Andy Ogles (R), former mayor of Maury County defeated state Senator Heidi Campbell (D). Ogles will fill the seat held by Representative Jim Cooper (D) who announced his retirement earlier this year. 

Continuing Resolution and FY 23 Appropriations

Congress will return to Washington, D.C. next week now that the mid-term elections have passed. The short-term continuing resolution Congress passed to keep the government funded will expire on December 16. Congress may either pass a comprehensive spending bill to fund the government through FY23 or will pass another continuing resolution into the new year.

CY 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the CY2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), published last week, which included the following: 

• Chronic Pain Management & General Behavioral Health Integration: Beginning on January 1, 2023, health centers can bill Medicare for Chronic Pain Management (CPM) and Behavioral Health Integration (GBHI) using the standard care management code – G0511. Clinical Psychologists (CPs) and Clinical Social Workers (CSWs) can bill for GBHI services. 
• Accountable Care Organizations: The rule includes policies to encourage Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to enroll more underserved patients.
• Dental coverage: The list of dental services was expanded to dental services related to treatment of organ transplants and cardiac valve repair and replacements. 
• Audiology coverage: Medicare will allow patients to see an audiologist once a year for non-acute services without needing an order from a doctor or non-physician practitioner.

CMS Open Enrollment Theme Focusing on Health Centers

Open enrollment for Marketplace coverage began on November 1. CMS is raising awareness through different weeks of action. This week’s theme is centered around health centers, and pre-existing conditions/disability advocates. 

See the CMS health center open enrollment toolkit for more information.

Philanthropic Funding for Contraceptive Care Available for Health Centers

Upstream, a national nonprofit that provides free training and TA on patient-centered contraceptive care, is offering up to $75,000 in unrestricted funds to health centers that commit to partnering to implement Upstream’s contraceptive care practice transformation model. Upstream has worked with nearly 50 community health centers to date and is seeking to expand partnership efforts with interested organizations.

Learn more at an upcoming webinar featuring health centers with experience in Upstream’s model at the upcoming webinar:

Monday, November 14

3:00-4:00 p.m. ET

Register here >>>

If you aren't able to attend the webinar but would like to learn more about partnering with Upstream, reach out here or contact Susan Abernethy.

Funding for CHCs to support AmeriCorps Public Health Workers

PCAs and CHCs can apply for funding to support AmeriCorps members who will focus on public health issues. 

See a list of current Public Health AmeriCorps grantees at https://americorps.gov/funded-grants/public-health-americorps and the types of activities their members are engaged in. 

Applications are due Wed. January 4.