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July 17, 2020
  WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
    A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare









CDC says U.S. could get coronavirus under control in one to two months if everyone wears a mask
Read the entire article from  CNBC  here .

Head of CDC says worst of coronavirus crisis is yet to come
Read the entire article from  TODAY  here.

W.Va. House of Delegate staff member tests positive for COVID-19; may have exposed 4 members of state's task force, including top 2 medical advisors
Read the entire article from WVNews  here.

Insurer UnitedHealth's quarterly profit more than doubles as medical costs drop
Read the entire article from  Reuters   here.
EmergencyManagement
COVID Skyrocketing Among Communities of Color

Counties populated by larger numbers of people of color tend to have more coronavirus cases than those with higher shares of white people. As the outbreak worsens throughout the Southern and Western parts of the country, caseloads are growing fastest in counties with large communities of color. People of color have seen disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic. These inequities stem from pre-existing racial disparities throughout society and have been exacerbated by the U.S. coronavirus response. Black and Hispanic or Latino communities have less access to diagnostic testing, and people of color are also more likely to be essential workers. Read more in Axios about inadequate access to testing and contact tracing in the hot spots.
New Primary Care Association Survey Question

Like health centers and look-alikes, Primary Care Associations (PCAs) fill out a weekly survey to help HRSA monitor COVID-19's impact in your communities. Last week, they added a question that will highlight emerging hotspots by county. HRSA encourages Health Centers to take note if you observe an increase in positive COVID-19 test results.
Federal COVID Funding Spreadsheet

Need   help keeping track of the various federal funding streams?   You are in luck. NACHC has created a handy spreadsheet  on the various COVID-19 Federal Funding Sources for FQHCs!
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
Qure4U - Remote Patient Monitoring Demo Webinar

Please join the West Virginia Primary Care Association and Qure4U's Tara Whitesides along with Megan Stewart to attend a demonstration of Qure4U. The WVPCA team has researched various patient engagement tools and found that Qure4U has resources which could be valuable to health centers in patient engagement strategies.  During this demonstration you will be able to interact with Tara and Megan and view the features and functionality of their software and participate in a Q&A session.

As the WV Primary Care Association (WVPCA) and health centers continue to advance our Health Information Technology (HIT) efforts, the WVPCA has been reviewing several Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Patient Engagement (PE) platforms in order to provide our members with the best information when it comes to reaching out to and caring for patients. With the recent changes in how healthcare is being delivered the time is now to continue involving and encouraging patients in engaging and monitoring their own health in order to improve health outcomes, improve the quality of care, and achieve lower costs. After the demonstration, we will evaluate health center interest in the system and group purchasing options.
 
Qure4u's all-in-one patient experience platform offers patients and providers a fully integrated solution that supports the entire patient journey and optimizes care before, during, and after office visits. Their flagship solution, MyCarePlan, improves patient outcomes and communications while boosting in-office efficiencies, collections, cash flow, and revenues.  Qure4u drives brand equity, in-office efficiency, and revenue while enhancing clinical insight and improving the patient experience.  Qure4u also offers remote patient monitoring with bluetooth connected devices.

TARGET AUDIENCE:   This event is intended for CEOs, COOs, CMOs, Medical Directors, Quality & Operations team members. 
 
July 23 from 1:00 PM  - 2:00 PM. 
Registration Closes July 22, 2020 at 12:00pm 
PCMHCorner
COVID- 19:  CORONAVIRUS AND PCMH
   
Although federal guidance and local circumstances continue to evolve, NCQA is implementing the exceptions noted below for the March 1-September 30, 2020, time frame. This applies to all future surveys that include this look-back period. They will give updates as needed and when new information becomes available.  They suggest primary care practices consult and complete  The Green Center's weekly COVID survey.  While NCQA does not issue or manage this survey, they believe the information gathered is meaningful. The survey helps practices understand and report primary care's capacity to respond to COVID-19.

Practitioners Who Provide Care During a Public Health Emergency:
Organizations do not need to credential practitioners who are not part of their network or practice and are providing care to members/patients as part of a federal, state or local government emergency response team.

CMS 1135 Waivers for State Licensing:
CMS allows states to request a waiver that will temporarily allow out-of-state practitioners to provide services if they are licensed in another state. When credentialing these practitioners in a state that receives a waiver, NCQA will waive the requirement that the organization verify the license to practice for that state.

Health Care Organizations and Practices Whose Operations Are Affected:
NCQA understands that normal operations have been disrupted in many communities, which could affect organizations' ability to meet NCQA requirements. NCQA will be flexible in scoring organization performance during the March-September time frame. Organizations will need to provide documentation regarding the circumstances that interfered with meeting requirements.

Note:  Recognition practices may show evidence from any time in the past year, so organizations may demonstrate that activities were routinely implemented before and after the March-September time frame.
Organizations with an upcoming survey or evaluation in 2020 should contact their Recognition account representative. NCQA will determine if additional accommodations (e.g., longer extensions, virtual surveys, shorter look-back periods) are necessary on a case-by-case basis. Please submit all other questions through My NCQA at my.ncqa.org.
 
Please contact Shannon Parker at Shannon.parker@wvpca.org should you have any questions.
NCQA updates Recognition publications periodically to clarify guidance, revise resources and refine criteria expectations. Updates are now available for the PCMH and PCSP Standards and Annual Reporting publications. Q-PASS access to the 2021 Annual Reporting Requirements will be available in August.

To download the publications, go to the My Downloads section of My NCQA. Log in using your email address and password. If you have not previously downloaded NCQA publications, refer to the table below for quick access. 

Publication by Program

Notable Changes
  • There is no longer a New York State-specific PCMH publication; you can find all New York State publication information directly in the main PCMH Standards and Annual Reporting publication.
  • In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCQA has limited changes to Annual Reporting for 2021. PCMH and PCSP Annual Reporting Requirements for reporting period January 1-December 31, 2021, remain nearly identical to the preceding reporting year.
  • NCQA has expanded and clarified PCMH program guidance for use of telehealth to ensure that practices can continue to meet PCMH requirements. Read our recent blog post to learn more. 
A table of updates summarizing changes to the publications is available in the FAQ section of NCQA.org. Click here for the PCMH FAQ and here for the PCSP FAQ. Updates to PCMH and PCSP Transforming Standards go into effect for all enrolled and Recognized practices on August 1, 2020. 
State NewsStateNews
Peer Recovery Support Specialist Virtual Training


Peer recovery is an individualized journey that offers a unique perspective and understanding of the difficulties associated with substance use disorder and its impact. Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) are an essential component to the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Continuum of Care.
 
Through shared understanding and respect, PRSS staff help link individuals to treatment and encourage them to stay engaged in the recovery process.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health is hosting quarterly regional PRSS training on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 9AM to 12:45PM to provide educational opportunities on important issues pertaining to addiction and recovery. 
 
Each participant will receive a copy of the agenda and a training certificate which can be used toward certification hours if approved by their respective credentialing boards or agencies. No charge to participate, but registration is required.

Topics:
PRSS Supervision, Trauma Care for Peers, and Motivational Interviewing
 
Speakers:
  • Jon Dower, ICADC, CIP, SAP, Director of Recovery Services, Ascension Recovery Services
  • Emily G. Finomore, LPC, Outpatient Manager, Child and Adolescent Therapist, WVU Medicine, Behavioral Medicine
  • James A. Matney, Drug and Alcohol Counselor, WVDHHR Bureau for Behavioral Health
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 | 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM
National NewsNationalNews
World Hepatitis Day July 28th  

Viral hepatitis is a health threat with more than 290 million people living with chronic hepatitis B and up to 150 million people living with chronic hepatitis C. 

World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925-2011).  Raise awareness on July 28th, and beyond, about this condition.    Learn more about World Hepatitis Day and how viral hepatitis impacts millions of people worldwide from the CDC website and HHS website .
21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge

As our communities continue to fight injustice and address inequities within our society, we must all continue to improve our practice in dismantling racism. NACHC is happy to share the  21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge © created by diversity expert Eddie Moore Jr.  Thank you to NACHC for sharing this opportunity!
A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson announced on Twitter that HHS will extend the Public Health Emergency currently slated to end July 24. The extension likely will be for 90 days, ending around Oct. 22. FQHCs will continue to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services as long at the Public Health Emergency is in effect. In addition to the waiver of telehealth restrictions, some other notable policies attached to the Public Health Emergency include increased federal Medicaid matching rates and requirements that insurers cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, NACHC President and CEO Tom Van Coverden underscored the critical importance of the extension.
Upcoming Training OpportunitiesUpcomingNationalTraining


Project ECHO, is hosting a free 16-week webinar series that provides primary care providers and other members of a multidisciplinary diabetes care team with case-based learning and consultation to empower them to address the needs of patients with diabetes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Webinars are held every Wednesday at 12:00 - 1:15 pm discussing a new topic each week. CME credits are offered for attendance.
_____________________________

Many upcoming 
trainings and events 
or check  with  the organizer's  websites and  contacts  to  verify
 the  status  of ALL 
events  and trainings.
__________________________

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is often essential to an individual's recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD). Join the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions for a free webinar to focus on what MAT is, how to identify when a patient may benefit from a prescription and how to successfully integrate MAT into a treatment recovery plan. 

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 
3:00 PM EST

The title says it all. Head of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Jim Macrae brings us up to date on the most recent health center news.

 Tuesday, July 28, 2020
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
*Access details coming soon 
 ______________________________ __
FinancialAnchorFinancial and Funding Resources
New Markets Tax Credit Allocation Awards Announced: Capital Fund Receives $50 Million

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund announced the awardees for New Markets Tax Credits, intended to stimulate investment and economic growth in low-income urban and rural communities. Capital Fund received a $50 million award, one of 76 Community Development Entities (CDEs) to receive awards nationwide. Congratulations to our fellow award recipients! 

This award will enable Capital Fund to increase lending to health centers seeking to finance facilities and operational growth to better serve their communities and expand access to care.
 
If your health center needs additional funding for an upcoming expansion or renovation project, Capital Fund may be able to help.  

Click here to learn more.
REVISED CMS FQHC/RHC TELEHEALTH GUIDANCE

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the MLN Matters Article SE20016, New and Expanded Flexibilities for RHCs and FQHCs, to clarify how the Cost Sharing modifier can be applied to preventive services furnished via telehealth. This update includes: 
  • Additional guidance on telehealth services that have cost-sharing waived; in order to distinguish those telehealth services that do not have cost sharing waived from those that do, such as certain preventive services, CMS has modified the descriptor of the CS modifier to account for this additional use
  • Additional claim examples
  • New section on the RHC Productivity Standard
The various federal funding streams to FQHCs during a pandemic can create record-keeping and accounting challenges. Here are some points to keep in mind:
  • Single Audit: If your organization is usually under the $750,000 threshold and therefore not required to have a Single Audit conducted, verify whether you exceeded that threshold this year due to increased COVID federal funding.
  • Retroactive Effective Dates: Federal COVID funding awarded in March, April and May (H8C, H8D, H8E funding) allowed health centers to backdate for costs incurred since Jan. 20, 2020, allowing you to make an adjusting journal entry, with supporting documentation, for any pre-award costs as long as you have proper documentation.
  • Provider Relief Funds: Learn about eligibility and the methodology for each distribution and note that Provider Relief Funds may be used for revenue lost due to coronavirus or for healthcare-related expenses attributable to coronavirus.
  • Deadlines: This NACHC chart summarizes upcoming deadlines related to BPHC grant funds, Paycheck Protection Loans, Provider Relief Fund allotments and other federal COVID-19-related funding sources (for more information on the various federal funding streams, see the NACHC spreadsheet). 
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.
COVID-19 Resources for Health Centers
ECRI Institute 
 
Federally qualified health centers and free clinics are on the front line in testing and treating patients who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Use these resources to keep your staff and patients safe:
In addition, ECRI's COVID-19 Resource Center includes free resources addressing the provision of clinical care and managing the supply chain. Updated several times per week, highlights include:
Additional guidance is available directly from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including:
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
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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.