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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
December 17, 2021
In This Issue...
WVPCA News - Outreach and Enrollment News
Emergency Management News - State News - National News
Funding and Financial Opportunities - Training Opportunities
News Flash!
Shoppers react after Kroger ends paid COVID-19 sick leave for unvaccinated employees
Read the entire article from the Charleston Gazette Mail here.

US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advances
Read the entire article from AP News here.

Omicron confirmed in West Virginia
Read the entire article from MetroNews here.

Colleges go back to drawing board — again — to fight virus
Read the entire article from WVNews here.
WVPCA News
Open Letter Signed Encouraging Vaccination, Boosters Against COVID-19
The WVPCA is pleased to join with 30 other leading West Virginia health care organizations in signing an open letter encouraging West Virginians to get vaccinated and to receive a booster shot to protect against COVID-19.

Being fully vaccinated and receiving an appropriate booster shot for COVID-19 is the most important action a person can take to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, including the omicron variant, and reduce the risk of hospitalization. 
Registration Now Open
Please join the WVPCA and Jennifer Calohan of CURIS Consulting, as we are excited to offer our members a three (3) part webinar series. The webinar series will cover collection, documentation, and utilization of data related to SDOH, SOGI, HIV status, race and ethnicity and more. 
 
Webinar Series includes:
January 4, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Data Collection Strategies for SDOH, SOGI, HIV, Race & Ethnicity

January 11, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Motivational Interviewing Techniques to Support SDOH, SOGI, and Race & Ethnicity

January 18, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Meaningful Data Utilization - Going beyond data collection and data entry

Here are just a few of the objectives:  

  • Learn the importance of have a clearly defined process related to the collection and documentation of data
  • Understand the considerations for training and competencies related to demonstrating and eliciting trust and mutual respect with patients regarding PHI (ie: motivational interviewing, etc)
  • Learn concepts and principles of motivational interviewing to promote a high trust environment for patients and their support systems 
  • Learn how to increase staff skills and comfort level related to providing culturally competent care
  • Definitions and differences between equity and equality, inclusivity, diversity and disparity – and the role of the health center in providing services consistent with diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Learn HRSA mandated expectations related to utilization of patient reported data and needs assessments as a driver of service provision
  • Understand the criticality of assessing patient reported data and using it meaningfully to trigger actions and workflows targeted at meeting patient needs, mitigating risk factors, and improving outcomes

See detailed information here.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  This event is intended for COOs, Front Desk Staff, Nurses, Medical Assistant and Quality Improvement Staff.

Registration closes on January 3, 2022 at 5:00 PM ET.
Happy Holidays from the WVPCA
The Weekly Outlook will be taking a two week break for the holidays. We will resume our regular publication on January 7, 2022. The WVPCA wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Register Today for "Preparing for
2022 PCMH Annual Reporting" Webinar
Please join the WVPCA and Karen Taubert of Comagine Health for Preparing for 2022 NCQA PCMH Annual Reporting virtual webinar. 

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has changed both the requirements and process for annual reporting for 2022. Join us for a step-by-step review of the process and NEW data requirements for 2022 NCQA PCMH Annual reporting.

Please log into Q-PASS prior to the training to confirm your reporting date for 2022.

During the last 30 minutes of the webinar, we will be discussing how centers can utilize AZARA for PCMH reporting.

Following this webinar, participants will be able to:
  • Identify data sources to meet the 2022 annual renewal requirements
  • Determine the status of current processes with your organization that meet the core requirements
  • Plan a timeline to complete the annual renewal by the reporting date

TARGET AUDIENCE:  
This event is intended for anyone at your CHC involved in the submission of the Patient-Centered Medical Home application, including nurses, quality staff, etc.

Registration information can be found here.

Registration closes on December 20, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET.
HHS Announces Increased Marketplace Enrollment Trends with Nearly 4.6 Million New Plan Selections Since Open Enrollment’s Start
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new monthly National Marketplace Open Enrollment report shows that, so far, nearly 4.6 million Americans have signed up for 2022 health coverage through HealthCare.gov and State-based Marketplaces since the start of the 2022 Open Enrollment Period on November 1. The assistance from the American Rescue Plan continues to drive affordability and accessibility of health coverage with the number of consumers getting coverage for $10 or less per month after tax credits nearly doubling compared to this time last year. Ninety five percent of consumers in HealthCare.gov states are
receiving premium tax credits to lower the cost of their monthly premiums.

So far during this Open Enrollment Period, consumers have made 3.9 million plan selections in the 33 states using the HealthCare.gov platform and 625,000 plan selections in the 17 states and the District of Columbia with State-based Marketplaces for the 2022 plan year. West Virginia has had 7,953 new and actively returning customers for 2022 Open Enrollment Plan selections.
Request for Proposals to Address
Food Access for Your SBHC Families
The School-Based Health Alliance, in partnership with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, will award up to 10-14 School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) $25,000 each to plan, implement, and record the results of programming to address access to healthy foods as part of your school-based health center’s preventative services. Awardees will receive monthly virtual coaching throughout 2022, evaluate and share findings with a network of peers, participate in a national case study toolkit, gain access to subject-matter expertise, and serve as a community leader addressing food insecurities.
 
Applications due January 7, 2022.
Pfizer Jabs Protect 70% Against Hospitalization From Omicron
A two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech vaccination provides just 33% protection against infection by the omicron variant of the coronavirus, but 70% protection against hospitalization, according to a large-scale analysis in South Africa released Tuesday.

The first large-scale analysis of vaccine effectiveness in the region where the new variant was discovered appears to support early indications that omicron is more easily transmissible and that the Pfizer shot isn't as effective in protecting against infection as it was against the delta variant.

The analysis was based on more than 211,000 positive COVID-19 test results, 41% from adults who had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. About 78,000 of these positive COVID-19 test results between Nov. 15 and Dec. 7 were attributed to omicron infections. The study was carried out by Discovery Health, South Africa's largest private health insurer, and the South African Medical Research Council.
Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its booster recommendations to encourage adolescents ages 16 and 17 to get their booster if they are at least six months post their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. This recommendation aligns with and follows FDA's authorization.

The following resources are available to help support your efforts:
State News
WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Order Issued, Receives National Attention
On December 8, 2021, Allan McVey, West Virginia’s Insurance Commissioner, approved the recommended decision of the hearing examiner regarding a complaint filed by West Virginia Primary Care Association, et al. against Express Scripts. The order finds that Express Scripts violated W.Va. Code 33-51-9(d) by requiring a post claim adjudication modifier to identify 340B claims. 

This order has garnered national attention from media outlets, including 340B Report. WVPCA CEO Sherri Ferrell was quoted in a recent article by that publication regarding the order. 
Save the Date for #MATRC2022
National News
UDS 2021 Reporting Season Begins Soon
The Uniform Data System (UDS) calendar year 2021 reporting period is just around the corner, with the official reporting period beginning Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. All Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes are required to submit complete and accurate UDS reports by Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. The Preliminary Reporting Environment (PRE) continues to be available through EHBs. Data entered in the PRE are pushed into the live reporting environment when the reporting period officially begins. Health centers should visit the UDS Resources webpage for the 2021 UDS Manual and other resources to help in submission of accurate, timely, and complete UDS reports. The UDS Support Line at 866-837-4357 (866-UDS-HELP) or via email at udshelp330@bphcdata.net helps with UDS measures and requirements. The EHBs Call Health Center Program Support at 877-464-4772 (Option 1) or via the BPHC Contact Form helps with completing and submitting UDS reports.
Bureau of Primary Health Care - Approved Definition of a Comprehensive Workforce Plan
As some of you know, there has been a lot of questions surrounding HRSA’s expectations for comprehensive workforce plans. With that being said, the Bureau of Primary Health Care has reviewed and approved a Comprehensive Workforce Plan definition. 

This definition also outlines vital components for health centers to consider in ongoing workforce planning. The definition encompasses multiple elements including visions, assessments, retention strategies, recruitment strategies, development strategies, and action plans. 


If you have any questions or need assistance in the development/update of your health center’s comprehensive workforce plan contact Shannon Parker, WVPCA Director of Health Center Operations at shannon.parker@wvpca.org.
Funding and Financial Opportunities
Expanded School Mental Health Grants
The WV Bureau for Behavioral Health has announced funding availability (AFA) for Expanded School Mental Health (ESMH) Expansion. This grant is used to support evidence-based programs that promote social and emotional well-being, prevention approaches, person-centered interventions and self-directed and/or recovery driven support services in schools. This grant will support planning and development of effective and sustainable school mental health services for students. The ESMH expansion grants will provide funding and technical assistance for school-community partnerships to develop policies, programs, and practices to improve access to high-quality coordinated school mental health services and supports. The deadline is January 5, 2022. 

School-Based Health Centers are uniquely positioned to directly provide integrated mental health and primary health care services in a school-based setting. SBHCs are an evidenced based program that supports schools.

The WVPCA has been a part of the State ESMH Committee for over five years and is able to provide support for the application process and/or the implementation of a successful grant application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to John Kennedy at john.kennedy@wvpca.org
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Today with Macrae:
Health Center
Program Updates
Here’s the recording the previous Today with Macrae if you missed it and here are some of the resources that were shared and mentioned during the webcast: 

Join Jim next time to hear about BPHC REACH, funding, progress reporting and more.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
2:00 PM ET
Access info coming soon
Medical-Legal
Partnership in Health Centers Webinar Series  
The National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership (NCMLP) is offering four 90-minute webinars designed to help health centers start, strengthen, and sustain a medical-legal partnership (MLP) to address the social and legal needs of patients. This series is based on NCMLP’s Toolkit, “Bringing lawyers onto the health center care team to promote patient & community health.”

In the first session, speakers will help health center and MLP staff better understand how to implement and fund a successful MLP model.

NCMLP is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022
1:00 PM ET
Community 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.
ECRI Institute
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.
WVPCA Staff
Sherri Ferrell, MBA | Chief Executive Officer
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
Joshua Austin | Policy & Communications Director
Paula Beasley | Education & Communication Coordinator
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
Ruby Piscopo | Outreach & Enrollment Coordinator
Amanda West | Staff Accountant
Emma White, RN, PCMH-CCE | Clinical Quality Improvement Coordinator
Kevin Treadway | Health Data Analyst
To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter:
1700 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
Charleston, WV 25314
Phone: 304.346.0032
Toll Free: 1.877.WVA HLTH
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.