State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0023 Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) was submitted to CMS add coverage of Medication Assisted Treatment for beneficiaries diagnosed with opioid addiction provided by Opioid Treatment Programs certified by the Department of Mental Health in compliance with the SUPPORT Act, effective October 1, 2020. SPA and State Plan can be found at this link.

CMS approved MS SPA 20-0006 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Reimbursement on October 21, 2020. State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0006 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Reimbursement was submitted to allow the Division of Medicaid (DOM) to remove the annual Autism rate updates and specifies that autism rates will remain the same as those effective July 1, 2019. This State Plan Amendment (SPA) is effective July 1, 2020. Click here for more information.

please contact Desiree Stinson.

CHCAMS Words Matter Webinar

CHCAMS is offering a 2-hour training webinar that focuses on preparing for emergencies and crisis and how to best communicate with patients using culturally competent methods and tactics.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about getting your message out effectively with your current and future patients, especially during emergencies and crisis events.

Developed to provide additional information about Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting that may be impacted by COVID-19, this new guidance includes information about reporting visits and patients, staffing, clinical quality, and revenue. For additional information on other COVID-19-related reporting considerations, such as temporary sites, health center staffing (e.g., volunteers), and funding and revenue, see our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

All Mississippi CHCs continue with COVID-19 testing at open clinic locations, and some continue to offer testing at locations in the community with drive-thru events.

Link to flyer.

340B advocacy continues to be a priority at CHCAMS. Read our most recent advocacy piece, that was shared nationally, on how the 340B Program has helped Mississippians here.

A tool kit that addresses changes in the program is also available.

If you have a story to share or would like access to the tool kit, please contact Kathryn Rodenmeyer.

To access the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse, please email Kathryn Rodenmeyer for the link.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has information available to those who plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Visit the health department site here.

Quest Diagnostics and the Quest Diagnostics Foundation have announced a $100 million, multiyear initiative to address and reduce health disparities in underserved communities, including those impacted by COVID-19. The effort will include donated services, education programs, partnerships, and financial support aimed at closing gaps in COVID-19 testing availability, addressing key social determinants of health that have limited access to testing and better health in underserved communities, and raising awareness about the importance of appropriate diagnostic testing for health and wellness. To help achieve those goals, Quest Diagnostics will partner with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), long-term care facilities, schools and universities, and community organizations. For more details on this initiative, as well as how to engage with the company and the Foundation, will be available soon. Inquiries can be sent to CommunityHealthInitiative@questdiagnostics.com. Link for inquiries is here.

The Canada-United States Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity Free Future (ACFF) is pleased to offer a community-based grant program to help fund interprofessional projects that will have a positive impact on the oral health of pregnant women and children 0-5 years of age. The ACFF began accepting applications for the 2020-2021 grants on September 15, 2020 and will continue until December 15, 2020. Apply now. Links here to apply.

Grants with ongoing deadlines can be found here .