Your CHCANYS

Draft DSRIP PPS Plan Application Materials Now Available for Public Review/Comment
The draft DSRIP PPS Plan Application and Scoring Guide are now available online for public review and comment. All DSRIP PPS Plan Application materials are posted on the State’s website. CHCANYS has prepared a preliminary summary of the key application components; click here to access it. The State is soliciting stakeholder feedback on these documents through October 29. CHCANYS' Policy Team will thoroughly review these materials over the coming weeks and, in the meantime, would like to strongly encourage all FQHCs to share thoughts and concerns via e-mail to dsrip@chcanys.org.  read more>>  

2014 Bronx Centennial Symposium on Health
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014; Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; This symposium will provide a forum for stimulating, provocative, cross-sector panel and workshop discussions that will serve as a catalyst for continued collaboration to eliminate disparities and promote social, economic and health equity. The keynote address, “Population Health: Moving Towards Health Equity,” will be presented by Michelle S. Davis, Ph.D., Regional Health Administrator, HRSA Region II. read more >>

DSRIP Regulatory Flexibility Guidance Released
The NYS Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities have issued guidance to PPSs interested in seeking regulatory waivers in connection with the DSRIP and Capital Restructuring Financing programs. To access this guidance document, click here.

Behavioral Health Transition to Medicaid Managed Care: Implementation Date Postponed
The implementation date for the behavioral health transition to Medicaid managed care has been postponed. The revised implementation dates are April 1, 2015 for NYC and October 1, 2015 for the rest of New York State. To view the related announcement sent to the Medicaid Redesign Team Behavioral Health Work Group, click here. For more information about the behavioral health Medicaid managed care transition, click here. 

HRSA Awards Over $2.8 Million to New York FQHCs for Expansion of HIV Treatment Services
On September 18, HRSA announced over $2.8 million in Affordable Care Act awards to 6 New York State FQHCs to expand HIV care and treatment services. These awards are part of a 3-year joint project by HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve HIV health outcomes will support the integration of high‐quality HIV services into primary care through innovative partnerships between the health centers and state health departments. read more >>

Clinical Committee Meetings at CHCANYS Conference in White Plains
The following meetings will take place during CHCANYS’ upcoming annual conference at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains: (a) CHCANYS Clinical Committee: Face-to-Face Meeting;  Date: Sun., October 19; Time: 5:15 -6:45 p.m. (b) Behavioral Health Leadership Summit; Date: Sun., October 19; Time: 5:15 -6:45 p.m. (c) Clinical Sub-Committee Face-to-Face Breakfasts; Date: Mon., October 20; Time: 7:30 -8:45 a.m. We hope that you are planning to attend and join these important collaborative conversations. For registration information and a preliminary schedule, please click here.

New Funding for HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections/Viral Hepatitis Training Services
The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute (AI) and Health Research, Inc. (HRI) have announced the availability of state and federal funds for HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections/Viral Hepatitis Training Services. This procurement encompasses three components: Component A: Regional Training Centers; Component B: Topic Specific Centers of Expertise; and Component C: Centers of Expertise in On-Line Training. A Request for Applications (RFA) has been posted online here. Letters of Interest are due by October 23, 2014.  Applications must be submitted online via the Grants Gateway by November 6, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. read more >>

Finding the Sweet Spot: The Intersections of Primary Care Transformation, Medical Education Reform and Leadership Development
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2014; Time: 8;00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Location: New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, NYC. Please join the Primary Care Development Corporation, the NY Academy of Medicine and Primary Care Progress for this special event to discuss innovation in primary care practice and education and gain a greater understanding of the skills and competencies needed to secure the future of primary care. read more >>

Annual World AIDS Day: Seeking Nominations
Date: December 1-2, 2014; Location: Albany, NY; Hosted by: NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute. Each year during World AIDS Day, a select number of individuals are honored for their work in the field of HIV/AIDS.  The NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute is seeking nominations for individuals committed to reducing new HIV infections among New Yorkers, thus contributing to the State's plan to bring the AIDS epidemic to an end by 2020. This plan seeks to increase access to testing and prioritize linkage and retention in care. All nomination forms must be legible and are due no later than October 15, 2014.  Please e-mail completed forms to worldaidsday@health.ny.gov or fax them to 518-486-1315. For nomination criteria and further details regarding the awards ceremony, click here.   

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Recommendations
The Community Preventive Services Task Force has issued new evidence-based recommendations on diabetes prevention and control that favor programs that actively encourage those at increased risk for type 2 diabetes to eat healthier and be more physically active. For more details, click here. 

New Access Point Application Deadline is Almost Here!
All New Access Point (NAP) grant applications must be submitted via HRSA’s Electronic Handbook (EHB) by Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., ET. Time is of the essence! Please visit CHCANYS’ online NAP Resource Center to access tools and resources designed to assist you in preparing your applications. Additionally, new FAQs and technical assistance resources have been posted to HRSA’s NAP TA web page. 

HRSA Releases Long-Awaited Sliding Fee Discount PIN
Last week, HRSA released the long-awaited final Sliding Fee Discount Policy Information Notice (PIN 2014-02). This PIN provides clarification on the sliding fee discount program and related billing and collection requirements. A summary of the feedback received during the draft PIN’s comment period and responses to major comment themes has also been posted to the HRSA website. read more >>

An In-Depth Look at Federal Tort Claims Act Coverage for Health Centers
Date: Thursday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday, November 7 from  8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Whether your health center is about to submit an initial deeming application or you have been deemed for years, this in-person training will help you to understand the requirements and meet the challenges of operating within the confines of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell’s trusted and experienced health center attorneys have provided advice and counsel on the day-to-day issues arising around FTCA coverage to hundreds of health centers and staff, and now they're bringing that experience to you. Don't miss this unique learning opportunity! read more >> 

Webinar: Transitioning to ICD-10
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2014; Time: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. HHS has issued a rule finalizing October 1, 2015 as the new compliance date for health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses to transition to ICD-10. This MLN Connects™ National Provider Call will include discussions on ICD-10 implementation issues, opportunities for testing, and available resources. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. For more information and to register, click here.  

A New President for the New Jersey Primary Care Association
The New Jersey Primary Care Association has announced the arrival of its new President & CEO, Jillian Hudspeth. Jillian replaces Katherine Grant-Davis, who will leave the organization at the end of the year. read more >>

NY State of Health Announces 2015 Health and Dental Plans
NY State of Health has released the list of insurers that will offer health and dental plans to individuals and small business owners in 2015. To access the press release, click here.  An interactive map showing plans being offered across the state may is available here.  

NYSOH Spring Training Series Continues!
NY State of Health will host three additional “Spring Training” webinars designed to prepare assistors for the upcoming open enrollment period. Learn how best to help applicants of varied cultural backgrounds and literacy levels, guide consumers to make informed health plan selections, and get details about the new “line-up” of qualified health plans that will be available through the Marketplace in 2015. For webinar dates and registration information, click here.  

Upcoming Certification Training: CAC, IPA and Navigator 
Click here for a listing of upcoming training sessions (CAC, IPA and Navigator) being offered by NY State of Health. Space is limited; those interested in attending are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Important Note: The registration process has changed. For detailed instructions on how to register online for NY State of Health training sessions, click here. Upon successful registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. For assistance, please contact Lynn Indelicatto at LynnMIndelicato@maximus.com.

Biosurveillance Update
Click here for a detailed update on Ebola and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

National Incident Command System Training
HRSA and other federal agencies require all partner entities to be prepared for an emergency.  Part of this preparedness is a familiarization at all levels of management and staff with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Community health centers have been specifically tasked by HRSA with the development of emergency management programs and ensuring that staff is trained in NIMS. read more >>

Digital Health Conference
Date: November 17-18, 2014; Location: NYC. The New York eHealth Collaborative’s 4th annual Digital Health Conference will bring together 850 senior-level professionals from across the healthcare ecosystem to learn about cutting-edge innovations and foster dynamic conversation addressing how healthcare is being redefined through technology. Keynote speakers include Eric J. Topol, MD (Director, Scripps Translational Science Institute) and Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD (Vice Provost for Global Initiatives & Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania).  read more >>