TPCA Clinical Update: Women's Health

April 2022: Women's Health

In This Issue:

TennCare Benefits | Preventative Services | Cervical & Musculoskeletal Health | Other News & Resources

TennCare Expands Postpartum Coverage

and Dental Benefits - Effective April 1

As of April 1, 2022, all pregnant individuals with TennCare Medicaid will:

Have continued coverage during pregnancy and for a full 12 months after the pregnancy ends and
Be eligible for dental benefits during pregnancy and for a full 12 months after the pregnancy ends.

It is critical that every TennCare pregnant individual update their TennCare Connect account to notify TennCare that they are pregnant.

Enrollees can update TennCare Connect over the phone at 855-259-0701, online at tenncareconnect.tn.gov, or at a local Health Department.

The provider of dental care is DentaQuest, and a dental provider may be found by calling 855-418-1622 or going online to dentaquest.com/state-plans/regions/Tennessee.

Below, you will find electronic material to print and place in hallways, on the back of doors, or in waiting rooms to help us reach more women. The benefits are applicable to all types of pregnancy including those that end in a loss.

TennCare Pregnancy Flyer 1 >>>

TennCare Pregnancy Flyer 2 >>>

TennCare Pregnancy Postcard >>>

TennCare Pregnancy Tri-fold Brochure >>>

Oral Health Care During Pregnancy -

ACOG Committee Opinion

Oral health is an important component of general health and should be maintained during pregnancy and through a woman’s lifespan. Maintaining good oral health may have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other disorders.

View the Committee Opinion here >>>

Preventative Services

The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative, a cooperative work of ACOG and HRSA, recommends that women receive at least one preventive care visit per year beginning in adolescence and continuing across the lifespan to ensure the provision of all recommended services.

Cervical Health

HPV Vaccination

The WHO recently released a review concluding that a single dose of HPV vaccine provides protection from cervical cancer for most females under age 21. As of mid April, neither ACOG nor the CDC have changed their recommendations on the timing and number of HPV vaccine doses.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Current guidelines recommend cervical cancer screening until age 65. However, a recent study on cervical cancer in women over age 65 suggests the need to re-evaluate current screening and treatment practices.

Key study findings include that 63% of cervical cancer cases in women >65 years were diagnosed at stage II or higher. Additionally, treatment and survival decreased with increasing age.

Read the abstract here >>>

Musculoskeletal Health

Osteoporosis

According to the CDC, the prevalence of osteoporosis among US women 65 and older was 27.1% from 2017-2018.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation created a Primary Care Toolkit, which aims to increase the identification and treatment of patients who are at risk of fractures.

View the National Osteoporosis Foundation's patient fact sheet >>>

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Impairment of the pelvic floor musculature is common in women, and it can be associated with many conditions such as urinary incontinence, constipation, and pelvic pain.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

ICYMI: HHS Takes Actions to Improve Maternal Health and Equity During Black Maternal Health Week 2022

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17, 2022), Secretary Xavier Becerra and leaders across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities. The Biden-Harris Administration has championed policies to improve maternal health and equity since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris first took office.

View highlights from HHS' announcements and events >>>

HRSA’s 2022 NCQA PCMH Region 4 Training

May 9-13, 2022

GPCA will be hosting HRSA’s 2022 NCQA PCMH Region 4 Training. This training is virtual and will take place on May 9-13, 2022.

Registrants will need to log in to my.ncqa.org before registering for the training. Please use your existing account or, if you do not have one, create a new account.

Click here for registration instructions >>>

TN Primary Care Association | www.tnpca.org