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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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WVPCA News - Outreach and Enrollment News
Emergency Management News - State News - National News
Funding and Financial Opportunities - Training Opportunities
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Coronavirus vaccine demand grows in U.S. amid omicron variant concerns, booster eligibility expansion
Read the entire article from The Washington Post here.
FDA approves AstraZeneca COVID drug for people with immune problems
Read the entire article from Axios here.
A youth mental health crisis was already brewing. The pandemic made it worse, surgeon general says.
Read the entire article from The Washington Post here.
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Registration Now Open for Preparing for
2022 PCMH Annual Reporting Webinar
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Please join the WVPCA and Karen Taubert of Comagine Health for Preparing for 2022 NCQA PCMH Annual Reporting virtual webinar.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has changed both the requirements and process for annual reporting for 2022. Join us for a step-by-step review of the process and NEW data requirements for 2022 NCQA PCMH Annual reporting.
Please log into Q-PASS prior to the training to confirm your reporting date for 2022.
During the last 30 minutes of the webinar, we will be discussing how centers can utilize AZARA for PCMH reporting.
Following this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify data sources to meet the 2022 annual renewal requirements
- Determine the status of current processes with your organization that meet the core requirements
- Plan a timeline to complete the annual renewal by the reporting date
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This event is intended for anyone at your CHC involved in the submission of the Patient-Centered Medical Home application, including nurses, quality staff, etc.
Registration information can be found here.
Registration closes on December 20, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET.
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Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov |
The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov is now open and will remain so until Saturday, January 15, 2022. Consumers who enroll by Wednesday, December 15, can get full year coverage that starts Saturday, January 1.
The final number of plan selections associated with enrollment activity during a reporting period may change due to plan modifications or cancellations. In addition, the weekly snapshot only reports new plan selections and active plan renewals and does not report the number of consumers who have paid premiums to effectuate their enrollment.
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Marketplace National Enrollment Snapshot |
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new monthly National Marketplace Open Enrollment report shows that, so far, nearly 4.6 million Americans have signed up for 2022 health coverage through HealthCare.gov and State-based Marketplaces since the start of the 2022 Open Enrollment Period on November 1. The assistance from the American Rescue Plan continues to drive affordability and accessibility of health coverage with the number of consumers getting coverage for $10 or less per month after tax credits nearly doubling compared to this time last year. Ninety five percent of consumers in HealthCare.gov states are
receiving premium tax credits to lower the cost of their monthly premiums.
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Request for Proposals to Address
Food Access for Your SBHC Families
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The School-Based Health Alliance, in partnership with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, will award up to 10-14 School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) $25,000 each to plan, implement, and record the results of programming to address access to healthy foods as part of your school-based health center’s preventative services. Awardees will receive monthly virtual coaching throughout 2022, evaluate and share findings with a network of peers, participate in a national case study toolkit, gain access to subject-matter expertise, and serve as a community leader addressing food insecurities.
Applications due January 7, 2022.
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CDC Chief Says Omicron Mostly Mild so Far |
More than 40 people in the U.S. have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far, and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated, the chief of the CDC said Wednesday. But she said nearly all of them were only mildly ill.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the data is very limited and the agency is working on a more detailed analysis of what the new mutant form of the coronavirus might hold for the U.S.
“What we generally know is the more mutations a variant has, the higher level you need your immunity to be. ... We want to make sure we bolster everybody’s immunity. And that’s really what motivated the decision to expand our guidance,” Walensky said, referencing the recent approval of boosters for all adults.
She said “the disease is mild” in almost all of the cases seen so far, with reported symptoms mainly cough, congestion and fatigue. One person was hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported, CDC officials said.
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Governor Justice Announces New Vaccine Incentive Program for Seniors, Senior Centers |
Governor Jim Justice has announced a new vaccine incentive program aimed specifically at the state's older residents: "Do it for Babydog: Senior Center Edition."
Through the program, seniors who receive their booster shot, after having been fully vaccinated for the required amount of time, will receive a $50 prepaid Visa gift card.
In addition, the program will act as a contest for the state's 200 senior centers. The center in each of the state's four county aging provider regions with the highest vaccination rate will receive a $100,000 prize, as well as a visit from the governor and Babydog.
West Virginia reached a grim pandemic milestone: more than 5,000 COVID-related deaths of state residents have been reported.
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2021 Virtual WV Stimulant Summit |
The 2021 Virtual West Virginia Stimulant Summit is for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinicians, therapists, case managers, peer recovery coaches, and others who work with individuals affected by stimulant use disorders.
The Summit will take place on Thursday, December 16th from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
SUMMIT OBJECTIVES:
- Expand knowledge around evidence-based practice (EBP) for stimulant use disorders.
- Increase awareness of lessons learned by subject matter experts as well as strategies they have used to address barriers to EBP for stimulant use disorders.
- Increase clinical knowledge and access to effective treatment options available to individuals with polysubstance use disorders.
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Save the Date for #MATRC2022 |
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International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month |
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Every year in December, International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month serves as a reminder to follow safety protocols where needles and other medical sharps are concerned.
During the month, sharps injury prevention is the focus. The WVPCA encourages everyone to review their protocols and the incidence of sharps injuries. Further steps that can be taken during December include:
- Reviewing sharps standards in your facility.
- Eliminating unnecessary use of sharps.
- Never recapping sharps.
- Using personal protective equipment.
- Properly disposing of sharps.
- Using retractable needles.
- Reviewing sharp injuries to prevent future ones.
The International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS) founded International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month in 2013 to increase education regarding sharps injuries and reduce their occurrence.
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Medicaid Audio-Only Telehealth Visits Update |
This action bolsters recent efforts by many states since mid-2020 to make Medicaid telehealth policies permanent. The CMS Toolkit both makes clear that states have maximum flexibility to design their Medicaid telehealth policies as they see fit – which includes permitting audio-only services – and that health centers must be receive their federally mandated reimbursement for these services.
Telehealth services at health centers soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing patients in rural areas and those without access to reliable broadband to continue receiving critical services. A recent NACHC survey showed that the percentage of health centers using telehealth jumped from 43% before the pandemic to 98% during the early months of the crisis.
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Funding and Financial Opportunities |
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Expanded School Mental Health Grants |
The WV Bureau for Behavioral Health has announced funding availability (AFA) for Expanded School Mental Health (ESMH) Expansion. This grant is used to support evidence-based programs that promote social and emotional well-being, prevention approaches, person-centered interventions and self-directed and/or recovery driven support services in schools. This grant will support planning and development of effective and sustainable school mental health services for students. The ESMH expansion grants will provide funding and technical assistance for school-community partnerships to develop policies, programs, and practices to improve access to high-quality coordinated school mental health services and supports. The deadline is January 5, 2022.
School-Based Health Centers are uniquely positioned to directly provide integrated mental health and primary health care services in a school-based setting. SBHCs are an evidenced based program that supports schools.
The WVPCA has been a part of the State ESMH Committee for over five years and is able to provide support for the application process and/or the implementation of a successful grant application.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities |
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End of Year 340B Update: The Latest Federal and Litigation Update |
This NACHC webinar will provide an overview on the latest 340B Litigation and Federal legislation.
This webinar will:
- Provide an overview on 340B contract pharmacy litigation and the impact on health centers
- Update on the 340B Alternative Dispute Resolution litigation
- Federal Legislation and Advocacy
- Insight into 2022 and the road ahead
Presenters:
Matthew Freedus , Partner, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell
Rosie Griffin, Counsel, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell
Jason Reddish, Partner, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell
Vacheria Tutson, Regulatory Affairs Director, NACHC
Thursday, December 16, 2021
12:00 PM EST
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COVID-19’s Effect on Access to Care, Telehealth for Underserved Populations
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This webinar explores the use of telehealth and general access to care for underserved populations both before and during the coronavirus pandemic.
Presenters will discuss analysis of 3 unique data sets to examine:
- Is use of telehealth associated with greater access to care before or during the pandemic?
- Is payment parity for telehealth associated with greater use at community health centers before and during the pandemic?
- Did primary care providers leave the workforce in increasing numbers during the pandemic?
Thursday, December 16, 2021
1:00 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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