Your CHCANYS: 05-05-16

Medicaid Matters Survey: Engagement of Community-Based Organizations in DSRIP  
Medicaid Matters New York (MMNY), the statewide coalition that advocates on the interests of Medicaid beneficiaries, is conducting a survey to assess the degree to which Community-Based Organizations (CBO) are engaged in DSRIP. Community-based entities of any type, in any part of New York State, are encouraged to complete the survey. The results will be used to help MMNY assess what the needs are around the state for advancing community interests in local DSRIP regions. It will also allow MMNY to conduct state-level advocacy to ensure that the DSRIP process engages CBOs in ways that recognize their strengths and address barriers to their participation. To access the survey, click here.

NYC Mayor Releases Plan for Strengthening and Transforming Health + Hospitals 
Last week, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio released a new report outlining strategies for strengthening and transforming the Health + Hospitals health system and for addressing a FY16 operating gap currently projected at $600 million. To access the report, click here.

National Health Center Week 2016 Kick-Off Webinar
Date: May 11, 2016
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Join NACHC for its annual webinar to kick off the planning process for National Health Center Week (NHCW) 2016, scheduled for August 7-13. During the presentation, health center speakers will share best practices and tips for planning and hosting successful events, and NACHC staff will unveil an exciting, new advocacy initiative. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a jump start on NHCW 2016 and find out how you can help to make this year’s celebration the best one yet! To register for the webinar, click here.

Clinical Symposium:  Routinizing Sexual Health in Primary Care 
Dates: June 2, 2016 (Queens) and June 15, 2016 (Brooklyn) 
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
The NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NYC STD Prevention Training Center are offering two free half-day clinical symposia on sexual health for clinical providers in order to address provider awareness and proficiency in the following areas: sexual history taking; STD/HIV morbidity and trends; STD/HIV screening and diagnosis; and STD treatment recommendations. Free CME/CNE are available. For more details and to register click here.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Now Permitted to Refer Medicaid Patients for Gender Reassignment Surgery 
Nurse practitioners in New York may now refer Medicaid patients for gender-reassignment surgery, provided they have a background in psychiatric care. The NYS Dept. of Health formally adopted a rule on April 27 adding psychiatric nurse practitioners to the list of medical professionals who are permitted to recommend the surgery, in which a transgender person's sex is changed to match the gender with which they identify. To learn more, click here.

HRSA Announces FY 2017 New Access Point Funding Opportunity 
On Tuesday, April 19, HRSA announced that approximately $50 million will be made available in FY 2017 for 75 awards to new and existing health centers nationwide for operational support of new primary care service delivery sites.  Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 17 and in HRSA’s Electronic Handbook (EHB) by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 15. Applicants must meet both deadlines.  HRSA will host a TA webinar for applicants on Wednesday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET. To access CHCANYS’ New Access Point Resource Center, click here. For additional technical assistance resources from HRSA, click here. Questions about the application? Contact BPHCNAP@hrsa.gov. 

2^nd Annual New York State STD Conference, Finger Lake Region 
Date: June 24, 2016 
Location: The Lodge at Welch Allyn, 4355 State Street Road, Skaneateles 
Hosted by The NYS STD Center of Excellence, University of Rochester, Clinical Education Initiative of the New York State Department of Health.  For more information and to register, click here.

Webcast Series: Enhancing Access to Behavioral Health Care 
This free webcast series, hosted by HRSA, is designed for provider organizations who would like to develop or expand tele-behavioral health services for underserved populations and will feature a presentation on the tele-behavioral health model used by Finger Lakes Community Health. For more information, including webcast dates and times, click here.

April Medicaid Update 
The Office of Health Insurance Programs has approved the release of the April 2016 Medicaid Update. To access it, click here. 

HRSA Announces Temporary Hold on FQHC Look-Alike Applications 
HRSA has announced that it will not accept new Look-Alike Initial Designation applications between May 19, 2016 through June 2016 while it is making improvements to the Electronic Handbook system for Look-Alike applicants. For more information about this blackout period, click here. 

Capital Link Seeks Assistance Updating National Health Center Capital Needs Assessment 
Our colleagues at Capital Link are updating their national Health Center Capital Needs Assessment, supported by HRSA. All health centers are strongly encouraged to respond in order to confirm the tremendous need for capital funding and identify areas where technical assistance, training, or other resources may be needed. The questionnaire is very brief - just five questions - and will take only a few minutes to complete. You should have received an email with a link to the online questionnaire from Capital Link on April 21, but you may also access it here. 

Learning Lab: Coding and Documentation in a Transitioning VBP World – Buffalo
Date: June 1, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location:  Buffalo State- The State University of NY; 1300 Elmwood Avenue,  Bulger Communications Center 102 
Appropriate documentation and accurate coding are essential components of effective charge capture and compliant billing practices. CHCANYS has retained Coding & Compliance Initiatives, Inc. (CCI) to provide a face- to-face training on coding guidelines and documentation improvement. This hands-on training workshop is designed to provide physicians, non-physician practitioners and coders with a better understanding of coding E/M services related to the severity of a patient's condition and work performed. To register, click here.

Save Money on Day-to-Day Purchases 
CHCANYS partners with the CommonWealth Purchasing Group (CPG) as a value-added service to FQHCs in New York State. With a portfolio of over 60 nationally recognized vendors and dedication to a higher level of service, CPG can help you save money on day-to-day purchases as well as on larger one-time expenses related to facility expansion. To learn more, click here..