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Hello, just a reminder you are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in the West Virginia Primary Care Association. Don't forget to add
paula.beasley@wvpca.org to your
address book, so you don't miss any issues of the WVPCA Weekly Outlook!
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WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
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Quick Links: In This Issue.....
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Read the entire article from WOWK-TV
here.
New online addiction platform links West Virginians to addiction treatment
Read the entire article from
WVNews
here.
Fact check: ADA does not provide blanket exemption from face mask requirements
Read the entire article from USA Today
here.
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COVID-19 Testimonials Offer Encouragement
The state minority health advisory group has released a series of testimonials from COVID-19 survivors and prominent West Virginians, to encourage everyone to get tested and warning against the effects of the disease and the toll it takes on families.
T.D. Jakes, a bishop and megachurch pastor in Dallas, - but a native West Virginian -
r
ecorded a minute-long PSA directed at West Virginians, urging them to get tested for COVID-19.
Romelia Hodges, one of the advisory group's 12 members, tested positive for COVID-19 after a church event in March.
While she never felt any symptoms, her husband Patrick nearly died from the disease.
"It also touched my children," Hodges said
in
her testimonial
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Jonathan Wesley, a musician in The Unit, a Charleston-area band,
said that, before
he tested positive in early April, he called his doctor seeking help for what he thought was a sinus infection. Wesley was experiencing headaches, sinus pressure, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue.
Wesley was forced to isolate from his family, which he said took a further toll on his health.
"Self care - it was very important - focusing on my emotional, physical and mental health in order to be present for my family," Wesley said in his
testimonial.
West Virginia has recorded over 100 deathsfrom COVID-19, and positive cases continue to trend upward. State leaders are hoping West Virginia's mask mandate will turn things around before schools are scheduled to reopen in early September.
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Mortgage and Housing Assistance New Webpage
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), in partnership with FHFA and HUD, launched and news webpage devoted to mortgage and housing assistance during the coronavirus national emergency. This joint website consolidates the CARES Act mortgage relief, protections for renters, resources for additional help, and information on how to avoid COVID-19 related scams. It also provides lookup tools for homeowners to determine if their mortgage is federally backed, and for renters to find out if their rental unit is financed by FHA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac.
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COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Toolkits
Have you been searching for tools to successfully communicate with your audiences about COVID-19? The CDC has created a new webpage for COVID-19 toolkits. You will find videos, social media, PSA's, print resources, checklists and more.
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Important Healthcare Provisions Update
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), two important healthcare provisions have been updated. For participants enrolled in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) or Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines without a doctor's prescription and menstrual care products a
re now eligible expenses for reimbursement. All expenses incurred after Dec. 31, 2019 qualify for reimbursement and the provision has no expiration date.
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You Can Now Find a health Center with Telehealth Services
HRSA has updated the Find a Health Center tool to allow users to filter for health center sites that offer telehealth services.
In addition to displaying all health centers, or only those that offer COVID-19 testing, users can now see only those with telehealth services.
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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.
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WVPCA News
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WVPCA Participate
s
in Virtual Discussion on Upcoming COVID-19 Relief Package
The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA) CEO, Sherri Ferrell, participated in the multi-hour virtual discussion of the federal CARES Act and expectations for the next round of COVID-19 stimulus funding. On June 16, 2020, Senator Manchin hosted a virtual feedback session with
various groups from across West Virginia to provide feedback on the COVID-19 pandemic relief packages and future funding priorities. The WVPCA was one of the more than 40 West Virginia organizations and more than 500 community leaders, state legislators, and West Virginians
participating in the wide-ranging discussion of legislative priorities and needs brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Participants included groups invested in health care, local governments, law enforcement and first responders, workers and unemployment, financial and banking institutions, businesses, tourism, veterans organizations, civil rights groups, education, charitable and community organizations, the media and behavioral health. In April, West Virginia received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act.
When it was her turn to speak, Sherri thanked the Senator for his ongoing support of Community Health Centers in the state. She discussed how the federal direct emergency relief funding as well as legislation permitting health centers to provide telehealth services were true lifelines - not only to the health centers but to our 470,000 patients and communities served. She expressed the need for additional direct relief funding, as Community Health Centers, to date, have not received any direct financial assistance through the state. The direct relief funding was and still is critical in keeping the doors open. She also shared the need for telehealth to be a permanent legislative fix for health centers, as this modality has proven effective over the last several months. She also echoed the statements from other health care organizations regarding the need for broadband infrastructure and adequate PPE supplies.
Another point of consensus among the majority of participants in the discussion was the need for funding to expand broadband internet access in the state. This point was evidenced by the virtual call itself, which featured numerous connectivity problems and widely varying internet quality.
The WVPCA will be following up with the Senator's office regarding legislative priorities that impact health centers and will continue to work together to ensure all West Virginian's have access to health care services.
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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.
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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.
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The School-Based Health Alliance is hosting a five-part virtual learning series-Summer School with the School-Based Health Alliance. They have been listening to the field, and have missed seeing many of you at their annual convention. To help meet your needs in the current landscape, they're offering this virtual series on pressing topics. They are excited to announce that Pedro Antonio Noguera, Ph.D. is the presenter for our first session, Race, Equity, and Inclusion in School-Based Health Care. Dr. Noguera is the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education. A sociologist, Dr. Noguera's research focuses on how schools are influenced by social and economic conditions, as well as by demographic trends in local, regional, and global contexts.
Registration information can be found
here
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State News
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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
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National News
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The theme for this year's National Health Center Week (NHCW), which is August 9th - 15th, is Community Health Centers: Lighting the Way for Healthier Communities Today and in the Future. Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, they offer support and love. In moments of triumph, they offer hope and a vision for the future. Let's come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph. This NHCW honors those front line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic. From the very beginning of the crisis, Community Health Centers began finding innovative ways to provide preventative and primary care to their patients. During this week of remembrance, light a candle for those community health leaders, patients that we lost. As we commemorate those lives and celebrate the future of Community Health, let's shine a light across the country that will embody the future of primary health care aces for underserved populations. Shine a light on your Community Health Center and share the value that it brings to everyone who it touches. Learn more here about NHCW 2020 Focus Days!
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HHS Telemedicine Hack Learning Community
Although telemedicine use has grown exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many ambulatory providers still lack the knowledge and skills needed to implement video-based telemedicine into their practices. To support wide adoption of telemedicine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response is partnering with the ECHO Institute at the University of New Mexico and the Public Health Foundation's TRAIN Learning Network to deliver a 10-week, virtual peer-to-peer learning community called Telemedicine Hack.
Key components of Telemedicine Hack include:
- Five teleECHO sessions on key topics (e.g., workflows, documentation, reimbursement) highlighting best practices and case studies from the field
- Five virtual "office hour" discussion panels with case presenters, government agencies, topical experts, and stakeholder associations responding to your questions
- Inter-session peer-to-peer learning facilitated via virtual discussion boards and ad hoc interest groups
- CME/CEU credits are available for attending, at no cost to participants
There is no cost to join the Telemedicine Hack initiative. All ambulatory providers (e.g., primary care, surgical, rural/urban, dental, mental health, solo practitioners) are invited to participate.
Wednesdays, July 22 - Sept 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
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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
.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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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.
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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
*Access details coming soon
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Financial and Funding Resources
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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.
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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:
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Risk Management Programs & Plans
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Claims and Lawsuits
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Role of the Risk Manager
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Patient Grievances and Complaints
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Communication with Patients
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Credentialing and Privileging
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Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
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Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations
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COVID-19 Resources for Health Centers
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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:
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WVPCA Staff
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
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To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter, click
HERE
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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.
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