Member Spotlight
AEH Community Health
Services Center Holds Building Dedication Ceremony
Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center dedicated its administrative building last week honoring long-time CEO Aurelia Jones-Taylor. CHCAMS CEO Terrence Shirley was one of many guests invited to speak at the dedication ceremony.
AEH CEO Aurelia Jones-Taylor and Dr. Johnnie Cummings share a moment at the podium during the administrative building dedication ceremony. CHCAMS CEO Terrence Shirley (right) speaks at the ceremony honoring Ms. Jones-Taylor.

ACCESS Family Health Reaches 10K Milestone of COVID -19 Vaccines Administered
Congratulations to the ACCESS Family Health Services team for reaching the milestone of giving 10,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in northeast Mississippi! Pictures below show the
t-shirt design and sweet treats to commemorate the milestone and celebrate the team members.
Open Enrollment Continues
thru January 15, 2022
An extra 30 days are available this year to consumers to review and choose health plans through Open Enrollment, which will run through January 15, 2022, on HealthCare.gov. CMS is also expanding services provided by Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Navigators—experts who help consumers, especially those in underserved communities, understand their benefits and rights, review options, and enroll in Marketplace coverage. Certified Application Counselors at Mississippi's Health Centers can assist. Find a health center near your at chcams.org.
Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center (JCHC) hosted a drive-thru food giveaway promoting the ACA Marketplace enrollment kick-off with the Mississippi Shine Project. Glenda Thomas (left) is the certified application counselor at
JCHC.
A reminder of our upcoming Today with Macrae sessions:
  • Wednesday, December 1, (2-3 p.m. CST)
  • Tuesday, January 25, 2022 (1-2 p.m. CST)
On the Hill
House Passes Build Back Better Act
House Democrats on Friday, Nov. 19, succeeded in their months-long quest to pass a behemoth social spending bill, passing the bill by a vote of 220-213. The legislation still needs to be hammered out by the Senate, where there are concerns that must be addressed before it can be sent to the President to become law. The timeline to finish the legislation may be pushed to the end of this year or after the new year as more immediate issues fill the legislative schedule, such as the Dec. 3, 2021 deadline to fund the government and raise the debt limit. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the BBB Act will add $160 billion to the deficit over 10 years, though the White House contends it would be fully paid for. The Build Back Better Act currently includes $2 billion for health center capital funding and almost $6 billion for various workforce initiatives, including loan repayment programs. 
Medicare Mental Health Services: Coverage of New Telecommunications Technology Begins January 1, 2022 
Beginning Saturday, January 1, 2022, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health visits with Medicare beneficiaries can be furnished using interactive, real-time telecommunications technology. CMS formalized this regulatory change through the Calendar Year 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. It is not tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency and is permanent without further regulatory action.

FQHCs will be allowed to report and receive payment for mental health visits furnished via real-time telecommunication technology, including audio-only visits when the beneficiary is not capable of, or does not consent to, the use of video technology. An in-person, non-telehealth visit must be furnished at least every 12 months for these services; however, exceptions to the in-person visit requirement may be made based on beneficiary circumstances.

FQHCs will be reimbursed 80% of the lesser of their actual charges or the Prospective Payment System rate when these services are furnished to a Medicare beneficiary through telecommunication technology, including audio-only.

Additionally, beginning Saturday, January 1, 2022, FQHCs must add Modifier 95 (Synchronous Telemedicine Service Rendered via Real-Time Interactive Audio and Video Telecommunications System) to claims for mental health visits furnished via audio-video telecommunications and must add Modifier FQ (service provided using audio-only communication technology) to claims for mental health visits furnished via audio-only telecommunications.
Public Notice for SPA 21-0048 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services

Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Section 447.205, public notice is hereby given for the submission of a Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 21-0048 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services. The Division of Medicaid, in the Office of the Governor, will submit this proposed SPA to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) effective July 1, 2021, contingent upon approval from CMS, our Transmittal #21-0048.
For more information, follow this link.
Check out the Vaccines Plus Program page for information promoting CHC clinics. See videos of health center providers.
Most Children and All Teens Can Get COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC recommends that everyone ages five and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Visit this link for more information.
COVID-19 Clearinghouse 2021 now accessible through Linktr.ee

For those who missed the live discussions, recordings of the meetings and other information are now available at the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse.
Please sign up for the CHCAMS YouTube Chanel. Click on the YouTube logo below.
November Features Providers at VaccinePlus.me
Mississippi's CHCs were invited to send in clips of clinic providers giving messages of encouragement and advice about primary care and COVID-19 vaccinations. These videos will be featured throughout the month of November on the CHCsofMS Facebook page here. Please consider 'friending' CHCAMS to follow.
CHCAMS Vaccines Plus Program, CHC Workforce Recruitment Tools Available
CHCs are invited to upload open position announcements to CHCAMS' recruitment partner website ReEmployedllc.com . This recruiter will send qualified applicants back to your health center for review and assist in follow-up with potential candidates.
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