CHCANYS 2011 Statewide Conference & Clinical Forum
The Saratoga Hilton & City Center Saratoga Springs, NY October 16-18 This is an exciting and critical year as CHCANYS celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Among this year’s speakers are: Gina Capra, Director, Northeast Division, BPHC, HRSA; Tom Van Coverden, President & CEO, NACHC; Dr. Nirav R. Shah, Commissioner, New York State Department of Health; Dr. Michael Hogan, Commissioner, OMH and Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, OASAS. Experts Jacqueline Leifer, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP and Peter Epp, J.H. Cohn will provide important board and fiscal related training. The conference will address timely topics related to health policy and cover best practices in Health Information Technology, finance, board of directors development, clinical quality areas of focus including behavioral and oral health, and more. And on Monday night, we will be celebrating with a 40th Anniversary Kickoff Gala and Awards Ceremony! For more information click here. News from Policy If you have questions about CHCANYS’ policy and advocacy work, please contact Beverly Grossman, bgrossman@chcanys.org.
NYS Medicaid Pharmacy Update As of October 1, 2011, members enrolled in mainstream Medicaid Managed Care and Family Health Plus (FHP) plans will receive pharmacy benefits directly through their plans. Members will be issued new health cards by their plans in September and will be instructed to present their new card at the pharmacy, rather than their Medicaid card. Network pharmacies should submit claims directly to the member’s managed care plan.
The Office of Health Insurance Programs of the New York State Department of Health has released the September 2011 Medicaid Update Pharmacy Special Edition. Please click the link below to download the current edition.
Medicare Billing Numbers in Electronic Handbooks Please read this important update to our previous message on Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2011-04. Not only is it critical to maintain up to date billing numbers for each permanent and seasonal site in your scope of project, the number must also be recorded on form 5B in the Electronic Handbooks (EHB). Please reference the FAQ document for questions. BPHC staff will be reviewing the EHB for accuracy. Outstanding issues and questions should be referred to your Project Officer.
All Health Center Program grantees and FQHC Look-Alikes (FQHC LAs) are reminded of the importance of maintaining up-to-date and current Medicare billing numbers for each permanent and seasonal site included within the approved scope of project.
All Health Center Program grantees and FQHC LAs are currently able to review the Medicare billing numbers listed on Form 5B for each permanent and seasonal site listed in EHB. Because of the importance in assuring that accurate information is included within the scope of project, all Health Center Program grantees and FQHC Look-Alikes are strongly encouraged to review these entries to assure they are up-to-date.
As a reminder, under the Medicare Program each permanent and seasonal site operated by a Health Center Program grantee or FQHC LA must be enrolled independently and the health center must bill for services provided at the site using a unique Medicare Billing Number.
For additional information on Medicare site enrollment and billing numbers, including how they differ from NPIs and situations in which it is acceptable to not enter a unique number for a site listed on Form 5B, please see the list of Frequently Asked Questions available at http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policiesregulations/policies/faqmediarebillingnumbers.pdf.
Next month, BPHC staff will begin reviewing all Form 5B entries to verify that a unique Medicare billing number is listed for all appropriate sites, and will follow-up with health centers regarding any data irregularities.
Questions and comments should be referred to your Project Officer.
Green Healthcare Forum The Pratt Center for Community Development is hosting a Green Healthcare Forum - “Green Operations and Maintenance and Staff Education” on October 11th, 2011 • 10 AM - 12 PM, at Pratt Manhattan (144 W. 14th Street, New York), a light breakfast will be provided.
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) has released the instructions for calendar year (CY) 2011/2012 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike applications. HRSA will offer two technical assistance calls to review the contents of the instructions and respond to participant questions. The first call, scheduled for October 19th from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., will provide an overview of the FQHC Look-Alike Program and address the Initial Designation application for organizations applying to become an FQHC Look-Alike. The second call, scheduled for October 20th from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., will address both the Renewal of Designation and Annual Certification applications that are submitted by existing FQHC Look-Alike organizations. Both calls will be recorded for later replay. Existing FQHC Look-Alike organizations and organizations planning to apply for an initial FQHC Look-Alike designation are encouraged to participate. Slides for the call are available on the HRSA website. Please access the link below for details. http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/lookalike/index.html
News from Clinical Quality Improvement If you have questions about CHCANYS’ Clinical Quality Improvement initiatives, please contact Kathy Alexis, kalexis@chcanys.org.
Trainings and Conferences
The Clinical Quality Initiatives Team at CHCANYS would like to share highlights from the various tracks being presented at our 2011 Annual Statewide Conference and Clinical Forum on October 16th – 18th in Saratoga Springs, NY. This year’s conference is a “don’t miss event” for all clinicians in community health or those interested in becoming an FQHC (to register please go to www.chcanys.org ). Our conference is the place to learn about current healthcare issues, network with colleagues statewide and develop strategies to reach your goals. Click here to view highlights of the clinical track!
HEALTHY LIVING FORUM Learn About Access to FREE Medications Date: Saturday, October 15th Time: 11:00 AM TO 1:30 PM Location: Pentecostal Assembly 320 47th Street Brooklyn, NY 11220
* This program is primarily designed for adults who have limited or no prescription coverage between the ages of 18 and 65. To Register: Call 1-800-509-3956 or visit www.ghlf.org
THE EVENT RUNS IN SPANISH. CHILDREN ARE WELCOME
Event Agenda 11:00 AM Registration. Visit community service tables/booths 11:30-10:40 Introduction and Welcome Address (Marco Pretell-Vázquez, Community Outreach Specialist, GHLF) 11:40-12:10 PM Healthy Eating for Healthy Living (Registered Dietitian) 12:10-12:40 Feeling better for yourself and your family (Diego Zea Pineros, PGY3, Internal Medicine Residency, Maimonides Medical Center) 12:40- 1:00 Helping Uninsured People Get Access to Medications (Marco Pretell-Vázquez, Community Outreach Specialist, GHLF) 1:00-1:20 Healthy Attitudes for Healthy Living (Aida Roman-Ryan, LCSW, Director, Case Management, Maimonides Medical Center) 1:20-1:30 Reflections and Farewell. Gift Bags Distributed
Behavioral Health
Smoking Cessation Counseling Smoking cessation counseling is now available to all Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, and Family Health Plus enrollees. As of July 1, 2011, office-based practitioners, Article 28 hospital outpatient clinics, free-standing diagnostic and treatment centers, and federally qualified health centers can be reimbursed for providing up to six counseling sessions in a 12-month period to any enrollee of the above-named plans. Medicaid already covers two, 3-month courses of smoking cessation medication.
Please help us promote this benefit by emailing your providers. You can access a draft email here. Please insert your name and signature at the bottom of the email before you send it out. The email contains hyperlinks to several provider tools and patient education materials.
The Department of Health would like to have a record of the promotion of these benefits. We ask that you send a copy of your final communication, along with the total number of providers reached, to mbansfie@health.nyc.gov. If you have any questions about this campaign, call Mark Bansfield at 347-396-4552. Mark is available to answer any questions you might have about the benefit or the attached materials.
Announcements
American Heart Association’s 4th Annual NYC Community Impact Grant program Goal: IMPROVING THE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH OF YOUTH
The American Heart Association (AHA) has a total of $125,000 to distribute with a maximum individual distribution of $25,000! The first deadline is coming up quickly - Friday, October 14, 2011! The Grant Committee will be making selections soon after and the distributions will begin in November! Please contact Charmie Cuthbert at charmie.cuthbert@heart.org or 212-878-5934 in order to receive the Proposal Request and for more information.
Annual Flu Vaccine Fact Sheets The State of New York Bureau of Immunizations has created a number of chronic disease-related fact sheets to raise awareness about the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine. Certain individuals (including those with certain chronic medical conditions like cancer) are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu. The specific fact sheet that speaks to the importance of the flu shot for people who have, or who have been diagnosed with, cancer is located at http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2463.pdf and can also be accessed here.
NCQA/BTE Diabetes Recognition Program The NYS Diabetes Campaign, sponsored by the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth), is an initiative designed to reverse the diabetes epidemic in New York State by improving clinical care, mobilizing communities, and promoting policy. CHCANYS has been chosen as one of the clinical hubs to participate in this effort and is recruiting organizations to participate in the campaign and in the NCQA or BTE Diabetes Recognition Program. The National Committee for Quality Assurance and Bridges to Excellence Diabetes Recognition Program are voluntary programs for physicians and practices to receive recognition for quality diabetes care. The program provides recognized physicians with valuable information about their patients and their practice as well as internal/external validation of your practice's hard work and dedication.
To learn more about how your health center can become NCQA or BTE recognized for diabetes care, contact Kathy Alexis at kalexis@chcanys.org or 212-710-3817.
Diabetes Education Recognition Program To promote quality education for people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) endorses the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. To support this goal, the ADA Education Recognition Program (ERP) assesses whether applicants meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self Management Education. The Standards are designed to be flexible enough to be applicable in any health care setting, from physicians' offices and HMOs to clinics and hospital outpatient settings. The ADA ERP is one of two and the most experienced deemed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to be certifying bodies for Diabetes Self Management Training.
If you are seeking reimbursement for diabetes education, it is appropriate to apply for ADA Recognition of your diabetes education program or service. The application fee for a single primary site of $1100.00 is now good for a 4-year Recognition cycle. Each additional site costs $100.00, and can be added at any time during the recognition cycle. For more information, please email erp@diabetes.org
NYSHealth Launches 2012 Special Projects Fund Request for Proposals The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) 2012 Special Projects Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available. Applicants must submit an online inquiry form to determine whether a proposed project fits the funding criteria. There are two deadlines for the online inquiry form: October 28, 2011, and April 27, 2012. Full applications will then be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with two deadlines: December 9, 2011, and June 15, 2012.
NYSHealth Special Projects Fund awards are one-time, non-renewable funding opportunities. Eligible projects will take place over a specified period of time to achieve quantifiable results.
Please click here for details on the 2012 Special Projects Fund RFP and click here to read frequently asked questions.
News from Emergency Preparedness If you have questions about CHCANYS' EP work, please contact Matthew Ziemer, mziemer@chcanys.org.
Upcoming NYSDOH Health Center Communications Drill Participation in this exercise will help you meet some Emergency Preparedness requirements from HRSA. The New York State Department of Health’s Office of Health Emergency Preparedness will be conducting two communications exercises administered through the Integrated Health Alert Network (IHAN). The exercises will occur during this fiscal year in the fall of 2011 and in the spring of 2012. The goal of the exercises is to test the department’s ability to communicate with community health centers throughout the state. CHCANYS is assisting the NYSDOH with these exercises by promoting health center readiness and assisting health centers with these exercises.
The fall exercise will occur on Thursday, October 27, 2011.
These exercises will increase in complexity as they move forward. The spring exercise will be more complex than the fall exercise and will require more action from health centers to ensure communicability.
Health centers are asked to check their status on the Health Commerce System (HCS) to ensure their participation in the exercises. The NYSDOH is requesting that each center have listed on the HCS an Administrator (person legally able to bind the health center to an agreement), an HPN Coordinator, and a BT (bio-terrorism) Coordinator in place on the system. It is also helpful that each center have a person listed as an Emergency Response Coordinator. One person can fill multiple positions.
If your password for the HCS has expired, please call CAMU at 1-866-529-1890 and they will reset it for you. When calling CAMU, please have your original PIN or driver’s license available for verification.
If you have any additional questions, please call Mario Gonzalez, CHCANYS Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at 212-710-3810, or email at mgonzalez@chcanys.org.
The 2011-2012 Critical Asset Survey The New York State Department of Health will be initiating the Critical Asset Survey for New York State Community Health Centers. CHCANYS will be assisting the NYSDOH in assisting health centers complete this very important survey. The NYSDOH is requesting that all health centers update their critical asset surveys on the Health Commerce System (HCS). If you have any questions, please call Mario J. Gonzalez, CHCANYS Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at 212-710-3810 or email him at mgonzalez@chcanys.org.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training The New York State Department of Health is seeking health centers that are interested in personal protective equipment program training. The NYSDOH will be releasing on its Learning Management System (LMS) a web based PPE refresher training for community health centers designed to help health center personnel conduct fit testing and train their personnel on the use of PPE in the outpatient setting. The CHCANYS EP team will be assisting health centers connect to this valuable training and will be providing further information when it becomes available. If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact Mario J. Gonzalez, CHCANYS Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at 212-710-3810 or email him at mgonzalez@chcanys.org.
News from HIT If you have questions about CHCANYS’ HIT work, please contact Lisa Perry, lperry@chcanys.org.
Upstate Technology Workgroup The first HIT upstate Technology Workgroup will be held on Wednesday, October 12th, from 10am-12pm, at the CHCANYS Albany office. A teleconference bridge will also be available by dialing 866-504-8504 code 2127103815#. The upstate call follows a recent a downstate call. Each month, these calls will allow for enhanced collaboration across the upstate and downstate member CHC's, each having unique needs based on geography. We will discuss important IT topics and offer CHCANYS HIT an opportunity to listen and offer any support or guidance you may need. We will be serving a light breakfast in the CHCANYS Albany office should you choose to participate in person. Beginning in January, a quarterly upstate/downstate call will be held to bring all of our CHC members together to discuss broader HIT issues. In addition to receiving calendar invites for these meetings, the dates will also be posted on the CHCANYS HIT website page.
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.
