Your CHCANYS

Federal Trade Commission Expresses Concern About COPA
The Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to the NYS Department of Health (DOH) last week advising that New York State’s Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA), which would permit provider collaboration in DSRIP, is unnecessary due to existing anti-trust protections and could potentially encourage anti-competitive behaviors among healthcare providers. The letter, which was simply advisory, was in response to COPA applications that DOH submitted for three Performing Provider Systems. read more >>

Crain’s 2015 HealthCare Summit to Focus on Shift to Value Based Payments
Crain’s 2015 Health Care Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 in NYC, will focus on the impending shift from a fee-for-service model to value-based payments and its effect on the New York State health care industry, including FQHCs. "Primary care providers are at the wrong end of the stick when it comes to value-based payment negotiations," said Larry McReynolds, CHCANYS Board Chair and President of NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers. Mr. McReynolds will join leaders from Montefiore Health System, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Crystal Run Healthcare, Advocate Community Providers, and UnitedHealthcare in a candid discussion about the challenges of implementing this new system and the need for continued collaboration among provider types. Registration for this event is still open. Click here for more information. 

Thank Your Members of Congress for Passage of H.R. 2
Earlier this month, the U.S. House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 2, which has been signed into law by President Obama as the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. This legislation reserves $7.2 billion in mandatory funding for the Health Centers Program and continued funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Teaching Health Center Program for two years. It also means that access to care is now protected for the 28 million people across the nation that community health centers are projected to serve by next year. As Health Center Advocates know, one of the keys to successful advocacy is to express appreciation when support is given to the Health Center Program, and it is extremely important for us to thank our Senators and U.S. Representatives voting YES on H.R. 2. If you have not already done so,  please click here to send thank you e-mails to your Members of Congress today.

NACHC’s National Health Center Week 2015 Kick-Off Webinar Scheduled for May 12
This year’s National Health Center Week (NHCW) will be observed during the week of August 9-15. To assist you in your preparations, NACHC will host a NHCW 2015 kick-off webinar on Tuesday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m. The presentation will cover how to plan/host successful events, recruit local sponsors, and invite federal, state, and local officials to join the celebration at your health center, and it is highly recommended for all health center staff involved in NHCW event coordination. The webinar is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Click here to sign up. 

Reminder: Health Hub Initiative Expression of Interest Forms Due on May 1 
The NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH) announced in February that it will make eight unused DOHMH spaces available for co-location of health centers (FQHCs and other D&TCs) and community-based organizations who will offer a range of services, programs and initiatives to improve community health, including primary care services, dental services, community health worker programs, behavioral/mental health, and youth health services.  In order to apply, interested parties must submit a letter of interest to DOHMH by May 1, 2015.  read more >>  

Preparing for a HRSA Operational Site Visit: Lessons from the Field and Considerations for Special Populations
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015; Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Presented by: Matthew Bernardo, Executive Director, Housing Works Inc.; Debbian Fletcher-Blake, Assistant Executive Director, Care for the Homeless; Lori Gravelle, VP Risk Management & Compliance, Hudson Headwaters Network.  This webinar will provide a general review of the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) 19 program requirements in the context of the Operational Site Visit (OSV) and strategies to prepare for the visit.  Presenters will focus on the HRSA requirements and the particular challenges faced by special population providers. read more >> 

FTCA Applications Due May 26
Health center applications for Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage are due by Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2015-03 describes the process for Health Center Program grantees to submit initial and redeeming FTCA deeming applications for Calendar Year (CY) 2016. The PAL and related technical assistance resources may be viewed here.  

Are You a Member of the CommonWealth Purchasing Group?  
CHCANYS has partnered with the CommonWealth Purchasing Group (CPG) to promote its services to our membership. One of the country’s leading group purchasing organizations for community health centers and other community-based, not-for-profit organizations, CPG will show you how to start saving on your existing orders right away! To learn more, click here. 

2014-15 Health Center Salary and Benefits Report Now Available from NACHC
The single most comprehensive source of information on the compensation and benefits practices of community-based health centers nationwide, NACHC’s 2014-5 Health Center Salary and Benefits Report is now available for purchase online. The report compiles responses from NACHC members who voluntarily participated in the corresponding survey (participants will receive a free copy). To order, click here. Please contact Monica Gordon at mgordon@nachc.com with any questions. 

Supercircular, Sliding Fee Scale & Budget PINs: It Does Not Have to Be a Three-Ring Circus!
Date: June 16-17, 2015; Location: Columbus Airport Marriott, Columbus, OH; Presented by: Ted Waters and Marcie Zakheim, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell. In this live, hands-on training, Ted Waters and Marcie Zakheim will address the framework of the Office of Management and Budget's “Supercircular” and HRSA PINs 2013-01 (Budgeting and Accounting for Health Centers) and 2014-02 (Sliding Fee Discount and Related Billing and Collections Program Requirements) and the steps health centers need to take to ensure that their policies and procedures remain in compliance with all Federal requirements. For more information and to register, click here. 

CHN’s Health Literacy Training Institute Announces Spring 2015 Lineup
Health literacy is an increasingly relevant aspect of patient care. Did you know that only 12% of adults have proficient health literacy? Time and time again, limited health literacy is linked to adverse health outcomes including worsened illness severity, increased rate of hospital admissions, and difficulty managing chronic conditions. Since 2011, CHN has provided dozens of trainings on health literacy; reviewed over a thousand patient materials; presented at local and national conferences, and provided technical support to organizations on health literacy. Upcoming trainings for Spring 2015 include Health Literacy and Family Planning Care (Thursday, May 14); Clear Communication with Patients (Wednesday, May 20). read more >>  

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved: 2015 Annual Conference & Workforce Forum
Date: June 1-3, 2015; Location: Westin Alexandria, Alexandria, VA; Hosted by: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved. ACU’s 2015 Annual Conference & Workforce Forum will bring together clinical leaders and top government officials to focus on improving access to care and the latest cutting-edge quality improvement initiatives for clinicians. The event will highlight topics that reflect the unique aspects of delivering care to underserved populations, including: Clinical Quality Improvement models; empowering providers and patients in underserved communities; implementing Health IT in safety net facilities; recruitment and retention of providers; and understanding the latest federal rules and regulations. The Workforce Forum portion of the program will include training sessions by ACU staff on recruitment and retention of providers, as well as additional resources for current members of the National Health Service Corps. read more >> 

CHCANYS’ Federal Tort Claims Act University: Registration Closing Soon
Date: May 14-15; Location: Double Tree by Hilton Tarrytown. FTCA U is an innovative new training organized by the FTCA Branch of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care for FQHCs and potential FQHCs. It is a great opportunity for seasoned and new professionals to learn from experts, leaders, and government officials in the areas of FTCA and related subject matter. Registration for this two-day event will soon be closing, and seats are limited! For more information and to sign up, click here.  

Registration for CHCANYS’ 2015 Statewide Conference & Clinical Forum Now Open
Registration is now open for CHCANYS15, the 2015 Statewide Conference & Clinical Forum of the Community Health Care Association of New York State. Register today to hear keynote speaker Alan Weil, interact with more than 500 health center leaders, and visit with nearly 75 onsite exhibitors. Visit the CHCANYS15 website for more information. 

DQA 2015: The Roles of Quality Measurement
Date: May 1-2, 2015; Location: ADA Headquarters Building, Chicago, IL. The goal of this conference, to be hosted by the Dental Quality Alliance (DQA), is to develop dental quality ambassadors who can help lead change within the profession. DQA will recruit approximately 100 dental professionals throughout the through an application process to participate in the event. read more >> 

The Impending Oral Health Crisis: Ensuring Quality Dental Care and Access for New York’s Most Vulnerable Patients
Date: May 14-15, 2015; Location: Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room A, Albany, NY; Hosted by: New York State Dental Association / New York State Dental Foundation. This summit will bring together dental professionals and key policy makers to develop strategies to meet the oral health care demands of patient populations with special treatment needs. read more >>

2014 Fluoride Varnish Recommendations
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended application of fluoride varnish to all children under the age of 5 in the primary care setting. To view the details of this recommendation, please click here. Click here to access the related clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

New York State Cancer Prevention Summit: Transforming the Cancer Agenda for the Next Generation
Date: May 20, 2015; Location: New York Hilton Midtown, NYC. The New York State Cancer Prevention Summit will bring together national experts in medicine, public health, scientific research and public policy to explore ways to save lives and reduce the overall burden of cancer. The Summit's renewed focus on cancer prevention aims to demonstrate concrete ways different sectors in cancer research, treatment, prevention and control can help achieve these goals. read more >> 

Pathways to Safer Opioid Use Training
Pathways to Safer Opioid Use is an interactive training tool that was designed for health professionals using the opioid-related recommendations outlined in the National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention (ADE Action Plan). The web-based training uses the principles of health literacy and a multimodal, team-based approach to promote the appropriate, safe, and effective use of opioids to manage chronic pain. Click here to learn more.

Webinar: Supporting Women at a Critical Time - Managing Early Pregnancy Loss in your Community Health Center
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015; Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Each year in the United States, approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Though common, miscarriage can be a difficult time for women. Community health centers are well-suited to provide emotional support, continuity of care, and office-based, patient-centered clinical management to women experiencing early pregnancy loss. This webinar is designed for health center clinicians and administrative staff. The workshop will introduce the three treatment options available to managing early pregnancy loss. read more >>  

USPSFT Hepatitis B Recommendations: Strategies for Implementation
The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) has released a webinar on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening guidelines for Hepatitis B, steps for implementing them, and how health centers are addressing Hepatitis B screening for at-risk patients. Click here to view it. 

Clinical Symposium: Providing Comprehensive Health Care to Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2015; Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Location: NYU Kimmel Center, NYC; Hosted The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NYC STD Prevention Training Center will host this free, one-day clinical symposium on MSM health for clinical providers. The event will feature sessions on sexual health, mental health, and strategies to provide comprehensive care to MSM patients, including sexual history taking, biomedical HIV prevention, vaccinations, and creating a welcoming clinic environment. read more >>  

CDC's Winnable Battles
To keep pace with emerging public health challenges and to address the leading causes of death and disability, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated an effort to achieve measurable impact quickly. The CDC's “Winnable Battles” are established public health priorities with large-scale impact on health and known effective strategies available to address them. read more >> 

NYC DOHMH Releases Online Smoking Cessation Module for Providers
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and health care professionals are in a prime position to help their patients successfully quit tobacco and simultaneously lower their risk of heart disease, stroke, COPD and other diseases. In order to provide primary health care providers, including those in training, with evidence-based information and resources to help their patients quit smoking, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has developed an interactive online learning module entitled, Treating Tobacco Use. read more >>

Update: 2015 Health Center Critical Asset Survey
Thank you to all those who completed the 2015 Health Center Critical Asset Survey.  We are happy to report that we received a 95% response rate which will provide us valid, representative and actionable data.

CHCANYS and NYSDOH to Conduct Communications Drill in May 2015
In late May, the CHCANYS Emergency Management Team, with assistance from NYSDOH, will coordinate a communications drill using the NYSDOH Health Commerce System (HCS).  To prepare for this drill, please verify your HCS account information and contact person roles. For more information, click here.  

New NPRM Outlines Proposed EHR Requirements for Providers in 2015 through 2017
CMS has issued a new proposed rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs to align Stage 1 and Stage 2 objectives and measures with the long-term proposals for Stage 3. Together with the proposed Stage 3 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM),  the proposed rule changes the programs by: streamlining reporting by removing redundant, duplicative, and topped-out measures; modifying patient action measures in Stage 2 objectives related to patient engagement; aligning the EHR reporting period for eligible hospitals and CAHs with the full calendar year; and changing the EHR reporting period in 2015 to a 90-day period to accommodate modifications. read more >>