Welcome to the March 2, 2009 issue of Your CHCANYS Email Update.
Twice each month, Your CHCANYS brings you quick summaries of items your health center needs to know about with links to additional information and resources. It includes timely updates about newly available resources, application deadlines for grants and upcoming trainings, as well as policy updates since our last contact with you. Look for these updates in the beginning and middle of each month.
We hope you find this an efficient, useful tool and we welcome your feedback and comments.
--Elizabeth Swain, CEO
CHCANYS UPDATES-NEW
Downloading your UDS Data
HRSA and its contractor for the UDS web-based system informed us that the functionality that will provide health centers with file download capabilities will not be released until March 26. After that date, you will be able to download your center's UDS file from the Electronic Handbook (EHB). We will send you detailed instructions on this process, and the process for submitting the data to CHCANYS within the next couple of weeks.
NY CHCs to share UDS data with CHCANYS
We are working with the Colorado Primary Care Association to implement a database system (to be housed at CHCANYS), which allows NY CHCs to share UDS data directly with CHCANYS in a simple format. After March 26, NY CHCs will be able to email their UDS files to CHCANYS, and CHCANYS will be able to house this data in a secure local database. Having this data will enable us to run more than 200 comparative UDS reports showing how CHCs are faring in key areas such as productivity, cost per user, and use of BPHC receipts for uncompensated care. This year, CHCANYS will also be able to aggregate and run key reports on the new UDS clinical quality measures (immunizations, hypertension, diabetes control, pap rates, etc.).
In the next couple of weeks, we will send you additional information about how to share your UDS file via email with CHCANYS. We ask that you do share your file with CHCANYS. We commit to using your UDS information for the benefit of the collective NY CHC whole, and will not release your CHC's unique UDS information to any outside parties without the expressed written consent of your CHC.
Spread the word about the peanut butter recall
The FDA needs your help to spread the word about the recall of peanut butter and peanut-containing products. Click here for information on products that are being recalled.
FAQs about American Recovery and Reinvestment Act NACHC has provided extensive information concerning what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or "ARRA" will mean for health centers. You can access answers to questions regarding health center infrastructure, health center operations, health information technology (HIT), primary care workforce, Medicaid Provisions and National Service Programs that benefit health centers by clicking here.
Tips on Reduced Payments for Services Provided to Patients Above 200% of Poverty
"Providing services to patients regardless of ability to pay, and thus removing financial barriers to receiving care, is key to the mission of every health center and one of the cornerstones of the health center program. This obligation, however, is not without limitation - Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act and its implementing regulations provide certain parameters with which health centers must comply in designing fee schedules and in applying discounts to such fees." The NACHC website has tips on how to financially support services to patients who fall outside of the regulatory parameters without running afoul of their Section 330-related legal obligations. Click here for more information.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES-NEW HRSA Planning Grant Announcement-HRSA -09-188 Deadline March 13, 2009
The guidance is now posted for the planning grants. Please note that existing health center grantees are not eligible to apply but PCAs and others are. Also, applicants are required to include a letter of support from any Section 330 grantees in the proposed service area or a justification for why they have not. Please click here for more information.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND TRAININGS-NEW CHCANYS announces the following training opportunities: 1) Blood Pressure Measurement and In-House CLIA Waived POC Diagnostic Testing in Community Health Centers March 13, 2009, New York City, 9 am - 4 pm
2) Principles and Practice of Motivational Interviewing March 25, 2009, Rochester, NY 9 am - 4 pm For details on these trainings, go to www.chcanys.org. Deadline for sign-up is March 4.
eHealth Initiative Webinar Series recordings available
eHealth Initiative recently launched a Webinar Series on Health IT Provisions in the Stimulus Package. Although these webinars have already taken place, recordings of some of them are available at Ehealth Initiative's online store at for $25 or free for eHI members.
Recordings available include:
• General Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, February 17
• Standards and Policy, February 19, 2009
