NYSHealth to Support CHCANYS’ Development of a Statewide Growth & Sustainability Plan for New York’s FQHCs The New York State Health Foundation has awarded CHCANYS a grant to support a year-long intensive planning effort that will result in a detailed, data-driven blueprint for expanding and strengthening New York State’s network of federally qualified health centers. The planning will rely on a multi-faceted approach to capacity building, with an emphasis on workforce development, strengthening of the business model, and new FQHC services across the state of New York. More information to follow in the coming weeks.
News from Policy If you have questions about CHCANYS’ policy and advocacy work, please contact Beverly Grossman, bgrossman@chcanys.org.
Medicaid Redesign Team Brooklyn Health Systems Redesign Work Group Releases Report - At the Brink of Transformation: Restructuring the Healthcare Delivery System in Brooklyn The Work Group was commissioned by New York State Commissioner of Health Nirav Shah in June 2011 “to assess the strength and weaknesses of the Brooklyn hospitals and their future viability to deliver appropriate health care services throughout the many communities that comprise Brooklyn. Secondly, to make specific recommendations that will lead to a high quality, financially secure and sustainable hospital system that can meet the needs of all patients.” CHCANYS’ CEO, Elizabeth Swain, was a member of the Work Group, which released its report and recommendations on November 28, 2011.
The report issues restructuring principles, recommended tools for change, and specific recommendations regarding Brooklyn hospitals, supported by significant data and analytics in its 88 pages. Find the report at http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/brooklyn.htm
NYSDOH Announces $450 Million in Funding to Improve Care through Restructuring In conjunction with the release of the Brooklyn Health Systems Redesign Work Group Report, the Department of Health released a Request for Applications for $450 million in HEAL grant dollars to support hospital and nursing home restructuring via temporary rate adjustments, APG adjustments and capital. Preferred applicants appear to specifically include (but are not limited to) those in Brooklyn. Grant funding will become available in early 2012 to help health care facilities improve primary and community-based care, eliminate excess bed capacity, and reduce over-reliance on inpatient care in hospitals and nursing homes. This funding will support a recommendation of the Medicaid Redesign Team to improve health care by helping facilities deliver more efficient, higher quality care by restructuring, merging, and realigning their operations. Awards will primarily support capital projects but will also support certain operational activities, including the organizational changes necessary for mergers and other collaborative activities. See the RFA at http://www.health.ny.gov/funding/rfa/1111091042/1111091042.pdf
CHCANYS Grassroots Update The petition and letter collection effort is still underway. New York State's health center advocates have led the nationwide effort to gather signatures thus far, and we can’t afford to stop now!. Policymakers in Washington are still struggling with extremely challenging budget deficits and tough decisions about which programs to cut or spare, and it is more important than ever for health center advocates to CONTINUE demonstrating real public support for health centers in the coming months. Click to here download petition and here to download letter templates. Please send copies of your petitions and patient letters to NACHC by e-mail to grassroots@nachc.com with a copy to bgrossman@chcanys.org. Also, make sure to save any signatures already collected as well as those you collect going forward - we will be asking you to present them in total to your Representative(s) at the NACHC Policy and Issues Forum in March.
The next NACHC Tele-Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 8th at 3:00 p.m. NACHC CEO Tom Van Coverden and his Policy team will give an update on Health Center policy following the Super Committee deadline and discuss advocacy efforts as we approach 2012. Enter your direct telephone line into your CHCANYS Grassroots Action Network profile in the tele-town hall phone number field, and NACHC will call you when the meeting is about to begin. Please note: you must include a direct or live-operator line to be connected through the system, as calls cannot be automatically transferred.
And don’t forget CHCANYS’ Grassroots Action Network enrollment contest! The organization that signs up the largest number of new Health Center Advocates between now and February 20, 2012 will win one free registration to CHCANYS' 2012 Annual Conference and Clinical Forum, to be held next year in Saratoga Springs. The winner will be announced during Community Health Center Advocacy Day on March 5, 2012. Click here to get started. The sign-up form is also accessible via the CHCANYS website, on the homepage (https://legacy.chcanys.org/).
News from Health Center Support If you have questions about CHCANYS’ health center support, please contact Rebecca Gaige, rgaige@chcanys.org.
Uniform Data System Reports: Resources Following up on two trainings offered in November on the Uniform Data System, CHCANYS will post additional materials on preparing UDS reports online after November 30. Check www.chcanys.org for updates. (Note: UDS Reports are due February 15, 2012.)
Register Now for NYPORTS: Changes in Adverse Event Reporting Webinar Please join us on Wednesday, December 14 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. for an informational webinar presented by Department of Health staff, who will inform you of upcoming changes to the New York Patient Occurrence Reporting and Tracking System (NYPORTS). NYPORTS collects information on adverse events occurring at clinics and hospitals to facilitate the analysis of data for patient safety and process improvement. Clinical staff in each clinic who are responsible for quality assurance and NYPORTS reporting should plan to attend.
Attendees will:
Understand how legislative change has impacted NYPORTS;
Gain knowledge of the changes in NYPORTS reportable codes; and
Determine how these changes affect reporting in your clinic.
If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Gaige at rgaige@chcanys.org or 518-434-0767 ext. 13.
Save The Date - NACHC Offers New Webinar Series: Not Funded Now What?!?! Was your organization one of the many that were not funded through the recent round of new access point (NAP) awards? If so, then this webinar series is for you! Whether you are a current health center that is looking to open a new site or a brand new organization – this webinar series will provide answers to all your "now what?" questions. (Register for one session or all four!)
January 11, 2012 - Webinar #1 – What is an FQHC Look-Alike? February 1, 2012 - Webinar #2 – Dual Status vs. Change in Scope February 15, 2012 - Webinar #3 – Revenue Maximization and Other Considerations for FQHC Look Alikes and 330 Grantees March 7, 2012 - Webinar #4 – Keeping the Community Engaged Through Partnerships and Ongoing Community Development and Collaboration
Registration to open in early December! For questions, contact Jaime Hirschfeld at jhirschfeld@nachc.com or 301-347-0460.
Medicare ACO The application for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (aka Medicare ACO) is now posted on the CMS website. You may access the application and related information at: https://www.cms.gov/sharedsavingsprogram/
The application asks if the ACO is a recognized legal entity formed under applicable State, Federal, or Tribal law and authorized to conduct business in each state in which it operates. New York State is currently examining whether certification as an ACO is required or whether other state recognition (e.g. Article 28 licensure) is sufficient.
Please note the following from CHCANYS’ legal counsel at Brown & Weinraub:
How Does New York Law Impact ACOs in the State?
Before you file your application to be an ACO, consideration needs to be given to New York laws. As part of the New York Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) recommendations, a law was adopted this past year authorizing a State-based ACO demonstration project. The law was passed within 24 hours of the proposed rules coming out, and parallels but does not track to the final federal rules. For example:
This law only allows the Commissioner to authorize up to seven certifications for ACOs to operate in the State.
New York law does not limit ACOs to Medicare payers, but contemplates Medicaid and private payer involvement as well.
There is no shared savings program in the New York law, but there is reference to “innovative payment models”.
The requirements placed on the ACOs regarding network adequacy and quality performance do not track precisely with the federal rules.
This suggests that the Legislature may have to review and revisit the law before ACOs get up and running in New York. Even if no immediate legislative change is required, the Department of Health will have to issue implementing regulations, which it has not yet done.
News from Clinical Quality Improvement If you have questions about CHCANYS’ Clinical Quality Improvement initiatives, please contact Kathy Alexis, kalexis@chcanys.org.
Training and Conferences
8th Annual Asian American Women's Health Symposium Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 8:30am-4pm Location: Asian American/Asian Research Institute CUNY 25 West 43rd Street 18th Floor NY, NY
Online registration: http://www.cbwchc.org/project/whsymposium/symposium.asp. For more information or to register via fax, click here Training Course: Spirometry 360 Dates: February-May 2012 Early Enrollment Deadline: November 1, 2011 Final Enrollment Deadline: December 1, 2011
The 2012 Spirometry 360™, a training with Dr. Jim Stout, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington, is a great opportunity for those who are new to spirometry or for those wishing to expand their knowledge, skill and confidence in this procedure. Through case-based learning and customized feedback, we train all office staff (MDs, PAs, NPs, RNs, MAs, health educators etc.) who are performing or interpreting spirometry."
Electronic Health Records & the Medical Home - For Hepatitis Medical Providers & Program Administrators To help medical providers better understand the financial incentives available under payment reform and the Electronic Health Records (EHR) incentive programs, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) and the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) are sponsoring a special seminar on December 5, titled Better Care, New Opportunities: Electronic Health Records & the Medical Home at Beth Israel Medical Center. Better care, New Opportunities: Electronic Health Records, The Medical Home
When: December 5, 2011 Time: 5:30 to 8 pm Location: Beth Israel 10 Union Square East Union Square Manhattan – 2nd Floor PACC, Auditorium Training is FREE. Light dinner will be served.
This training covers:
Meaningful Use: How Electronic Health Records Tie Payment Reforms Together - Frank Winter, Partnership Manager, CMS
The Regional Extension Center: Helping You Implement Electronic Health Records & Participate In Medical Home & Other Payment Reforms Rachel Helfont, NYC REACH
Hepatitis Electronic Health Record Adaptions Panel: Local health centers present adaptions to their Electronic Health Record that have helped to improve efficient delivery of care
Morris Heights Health Center: Hepatitis C Patient Care Management System - Susan Enahoro, Medical Director
Ryan Network: Hepatitis C Patient Care Management System - Geraldine Joseph, RPA-C, MPH, Hepatitis Coordinator
Institute for Family Health: Hepatitis B Screening Alert System - Joseph Lurio, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Information Officer
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center: Hepatitis B Patient Care Management System – Perry Pong, Medical Director
Mount Sinai Hepatitis C Primary Care Program: Hepatitis C Patient Care Management System - Donald Gardenier, DNP Instructor & Clinical Program Director
Hepatitis Resources for Medical Providers: Hepatitis B & C Coalitions; Billing & Coding optimization resources; Referral & Linkage to Care Tools; Advanced Training Opportunities; & Care Management/Treatment Support Tools. – Nirah Johnson, Office of Viral Hepatitis Coordination
Training provided by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene: Primary Care Information Project/NYC REACH & Office of Viral Hepatitis Coordination
CSAAH’s 6th Annual AA& NHPI Health Conference The Early Bird Admission offer has been extended through December 2nd! Please see below for registration and conference details, updated agenda attached.
The CSAAH’s 6th Annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) Health Conference is co-hosted by the Asian & Pacific Islander Health Forum. This year’s conference will build on the US Department of Health and Human Services 2011 Plan for AA and NHPI Health. The 2011 conference will bring together government, community, and academic experts within an agenda-setting structure to define recommendations and to support the HHS Plan. Conference participants will participate in one of four Tracks where each Track will highlight existing models and best practices through two panel presentations and a concluding brainstorming session.
Announcements
Smoking Cessation Efforts Reimbursable by Medicaid Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in New York City, killing 7,200 New Yorkers each year. Helping patients quit smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve their health.
Smoking cessation counseling is now reimbursable for all Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, and Family Health Plus patients. Office-based providers and providers in Article 28 clinics that bill APGs can now bill for up to 6 counseling sessions in a 12-month period.
The Health Department recommends that you screen all patients for smoking status and help smokers to quit. Medicaid enrollees can receive:
Up to 6 months of smoking cessation medications per year, including nicotine replacement therapy
(NRT), Zyban® (bupropion SR), and Chantix® (varenicline);
Six sessions of either individual or group counseling in a 12-month period.
The use of nicotine replacement therapy, Zyban® or Chantix® combined with counseling provides the best opportunity to help a smoker quit. For more information, including specific reimbursement information, please visit: NYS Medicaid Benefit (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/smoke/smoke-nys-medicaid-benefit.shtml) and click here for some Frequently Asked Questions.
BigAppleRx Card For all patients but particularly the uninsured who likely do not receive discounts on pharmacotherapy, the BigAppleRx card is a free card that provides discounts for a broad range of medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) smoking cessation aids (i.e., nicotine gum, patch, inhaler, nasal spray) and prescription drugs like Zyban® or Chantix®, at most retail pharmacies in NYC. The BigAppleRx card is available to everyone living, working or visiting NYC, regardless of age, income, citizenship, or health insurance status. In order to receive a discount, the patient must have a valid prescription for both prescription and OTC products like the nicotine gum or patch. For more information, please click here.
News from HIT If you have questions about CHCANYS’ HIT work, please contact Lisa Perry,lperry@chcanys.org.
Meaningful Uses – Stage 1
HRSA is sponsoring a free webinar on December 13 at 2 pm, titled “Tips for Overcoming the Gray Areas of Meaningful Use Stage 1 for Safety Net Providers." Click here for more information and to register.
Technology Workgroup Update: Hold the date! The first combined downstate and upstate Technology Workgroup will be held January 12th from 9 to 11 am. More information forthcoming.
CHCANYS HIT is LinkedIn: Join or visit our HIT LinkedIn group today! Search for the group - CHCANYS Statewide Health Information Technology Committee
HIT Professional Services: CHCANYS HIT offers many Professional Solutions to assist with all of your HIT needs. To see our brochure click here.
If your health center has a training or technical assistance program that you'd like to share with others around the state, or if you would like to subscribe others at your health center to Your CHCANYS, please email the pertinent information to Rebecca Gaige-Troxell at rgaige@chcanys.org. We welcome your feedback and comments.
