News from Policy If you have questions about CHCANYS’ policy and advocacy work, please contact Beverly Grossman, bgrossman@chcanys.org.
Your Participation Requested: Capital Link Needs Assessment Survey Capital Link is required to conduct market studies to confirm and validate existing and future capital requirements as part of its Cooperative Agreement with HRSA. To this end, Capital Link is currently conducting a national capital needs assessment, the results of which will be used to promote the need for additional capital investment in health centers and meet the goal of serving up to 40 million patients. A survey was e-mailed to all health centers on October 4th and again on October 18th. To date, there has been an extremely low response rate from health centers in New York State.
Your response to this survey is critical. We must ensure that the capital needs of New York's health centers are respresented. The survey results will be aggregated by state, and we want to make certain that New York's needs are accurately reflected. Please take the time to complete this short survey and make sure that New York is counted!
New York is #1! New York ranked first in the nation with 1,205 calls placed on National Mobilization Call-In Day on October 13th! Congratulations on a job well done! CHCANYS would like to thank everyone who participated. Nearly 10,000 health center advocates across the nation placed calls to Congressional Offices and the White House, advocating that health center funding, policies and supporting programs remain intact as proposals to reduce the national debt are considered by Congress.
With the Super Committee's deadline for finalizing its proposal approaching quickly, we can’t stop now. It is critical that we maintain our momentum and ensure that health centers maintain critical support and resources in the coming months. Please stay tuned for additional updates and calls to action in the days ahead, and be prepared to respond!
CHC Victory in ACO Rule Last week CMS released its much anticipated final rule on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Thanks to all of your comments submitted on the proposed rule, CMS reversed its earlier proposed rule and the final rule allows health centers to participate in and have their patients assigned to ACOs. Look for more analysis from NACHC on the impact to health centers in the coming days. And thanks again to all who submitted comments! See NACHC’s comments on the new rule here.
Updates from Medicaid Redesign Team Member Elizabeth Swain Work Group Recommendations are being submitted to the Medicaid Redesign Team by several work groups. On November 1, 2011, the full MRT is meeting in New York City and will vote on recommendations from the following work groups:
- Program Streamlining and State/Local Responsibilities - Managed Long Term Care Implementation and Waiver Redesign - Behavioral Health Reform - Health Disparities
Two additional work groups must submit their final recommendations to the full MRT by November 1, 2011 but those recommendations will be presented and voted on at the December 13, 2011, full MRT meeting in Albany. Those work groups are:
- Basic Benefit Review - Payment Reform and Quality Measurement
The full MRT will vote on all remaining work group recommendations at the December 13th meeting. Go to the MRT timeline for more information, here or at the Medicaid Redesign website located at http://nyhealth.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/ .
I had the privilege of co-chairing the Health Disparities work group with Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The recommendations of this work group cover several high priority areas. For the entire report, click here: http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/redesign/docs/health_disparities_report
On October 18th the Payment Reform and Quality Measurement work group reviewed their recommendations to:
– Develop general principles that can be applied towards revising the New York State DSH/Indigent Care program. – Create financing mechanisms that strengthen the financial viability of New York’s essential community provider network.
News from Health Center Support If you have questions about CHCANYS’ health center support, please contact Rebecca Gaige, rgaige@chcanys.org.
Register Today! CHCANYS Offers Uniform Data System (UDS) Trainings November 2 (click here to register for Rochester) and November 30 (click here to regiter for NYC) Rochester Plaza Hotel, Rochester, NY and NYU Kimmel Center –visit www.chcanys.org for information on both locations. Click here for Agenda.
This one day training is directed at fiscal staff, including new fiscal directors, clinical staff responsible for clinical measure reporting (e.g. QI Directors, Clinical Site Directors or Medical Directors), and senior staff of new FQHCs.
*New for 2011 Look-Alike UDS Reporting Requirements in Effect—Training Recommended for All New & Established LALs*
Beginning with the 2011 UDS report, Look-Alikes will be required to submit a UDS report. Modifications to the UDS tables for LAL reporting will be addressed at the training. Look-Alikes are encouraged to participate in the full day training program.
About the Uniform Data System (UDS): The UDS collects basic demographic information on the patients you serve (e.g. race/ethnicity and insurance status of patients, etc.) All grantees of BPHC-administered Section 330 primary care programs (including Community Health Center, Migrant Health Center, Health Care for the Homeless and Public Housing Primary Care) are required under the terms of their grant to report UDS data, which then are analyzed by HRSA to ensure compliance with legislative mandates, report program accomplishments, and justify budget requests to the U.S. Congress. The UDS also helps HRSA identify trends over time and establish or expand targeted programs and identify effective services and interventions to improve access to primary health care for vulnerable populations.
HRSA Releases New Look-Alike Application HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) announced the release of application instructions for calendar year (CY) 2011/2012 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike applications, titled “Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike Application Instructions for Calendar Year 2011/2012.” The FQHC Look-Alike instructions are available at: http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/lookalike/index.html.
The goal of the FQHC Look-Alike Program is to improve the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations by assuring access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services. FQHC Look-Alikes provide a comprehensive system of care that is responsive to the community’s identified health care needs and provide services to all persons residing in the health center’s service area regardless of ability to pay.
HRSA offered two technical assistance calls to review the contents of the instructions. Both have been recorded and an mp3 file will be available for each call on the FQHC Look-Alike technical assistance webpage at: http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/lookalike/index.html
2012 UDS Proposed Changes Available The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released PAL 2012-01 regarding information on the proposed changes to the calendar year 2012 Uniform Data System (UDS) that will be reported by grantees in early 2013. Some of the proposed changes include: a new staff tenure table; three new clinical measures; reporting on all, versus primary, diagnosis for selected conditions; and questions about electronic health record capability and national quality recognition. Health centers are invited to submit comments either directly to HRSA or as a response to the 30-day notice that is expected to be published this month. HRSA is inviting comments on the above proposed changes to the 2012 UDS. Please send your comments to the Office of Quality and Data at OQDComments@hrsa.gov or call 301-594-0818.
New York Association for Ambulatory Care Presents: An Alternative to Emergency Room Care (PThA2) November 1, 2011 With the increasing costs of health care and a decline in affordable, available health care options, ensuring patients access to the appropriate level of services on a timely basis while curbing costs is of the utmost importance. Health centers nationwide are collaborating with local hospitals to provide alternatives to inappropriate (and costly) emergency room utilization by offering the patient a more suitable ambulatory care setting in which to receive primary care services. This session provides information about Bronx Community Health Network, Inc.’s Patient Liaison/Patient Navigation ER diversion model at Weiler Hospital (Albert Einstein College of Medicine). It highlights numerous benefits of such arrangements - to patients (establishing a medical home, managing chronic illness, preventing avoidable conditions), as well as to hospitals and the community-at-large. It presents a real-life strategy in developing a successful ER diversion program that can be “win-win” for all stakeholders.
Click here for program details and online registration.
News from Clinical Quality Improvement If you have questions about CHCANYS’ Clinical Quality Improvement initiatives, please contact Kathy Alexis,kalexis@chcanys.org.
Trainings/Conferences
6th Annual Taking the Road to Eliminate Health Disparities Conference: A Multicultural Approach to Providing Cancer Care When: November 4th Time: 8:00am – 2:30pm Where: Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, 225 Eastview Drive, Central Islip, New York 11722
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Approved for 5 CME and 5 CEU credits
The New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center invites you to attend The Laurie Bass Sklaver Annual Symposium: Empower Yourself: Lifestyle and Wellness Choices for Women at High Risk for or with Breast Cancer When: Monday, November 14th, 2011 Time: Refreshments: 5:30-6:00PM; Program: 6:00-8:00PM Where: UJA-Federation of New York, 7th Floor Conference Center, 130 E. 59th St. between Park and Lexington Aves
Click here for more information on the program. Reservations Required: Please call (212) 305-5917 or email info@womenatrisknyc.org
Free admission * Seating is limited.
Building a Healthier Brooklyn: Addressing Health Disparities in Brooklyn's Hardest Hit Communities When: Thursday, November 10, 2011 Time: 8:30am Breakfast/Networking, 9:00am - 10am: Discussion Where: Brooklyn Borough Hall, Balcony/Courtroom, 209 Joralemon Street Brooklyn NY RSVP: by Thursday, November 3rd to Tracy Leary at tleary@diabetes.org or 212-725-4925 ext. 3435.
Blind Americans Equality Day Click here to read a proclamation signed by the President on October 14, 2011.
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.
Seasonal Influenza Information for Children and Adolescents 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.
Congratulations to Recent Diabetes Recognition Program Recipients CHCANYS would like to congratulate the following CHCs that have recently achieved NCQA Diabetes Recognition. These centers have demonstrated and will be publicly recognized for its skill in providing excellent care to their patients with diabetes:
Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. – Greenburgh Health Center and Yonkers Health Center Community Health Center of Richmond To see the names of other recognition recipients, click here
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.
Smoking Cessation Efforts 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. Below is information on two opportunities to help facilitate tobacco dependence treatment; one that is especially useful for the uninsured and the other for Medicaid enrollees.
Expansion of smoking cessation counseling to all Medicaid enrollees 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 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 in, working in 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 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 met 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 27th, 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.
News from HIT If you have questions about CHCANYS’ HIT work, please contact Lisa Perry,lperry@chcanys.org.
Upstate/Downstate HIT Technology Work Group The next Downstate HIT Technology work group will be held on Nov. 10th (9am–11am) and the Upstate work group will be held on Nov.17th (9am–11am). Participants can call 866-394-2346 code 3052466509 to participate. Attendees are welcome to join in person in the CHCANYS NY office on 11/10 or the Albany office on 11/17.
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.
