- Senator Baldwin Introduces HSHS Act to Protect Communities from Hospital Closures
- What to Know about Smoke, Heat and Health
- Tribal Partnership With UW-Madison Combines Ag Research With Indigenous Food Knowledge
- The Rewards of Working as Rural Docs
- Request for Information (RFI): Evolving the Network of the National Library of Medicine
- Dental Therapists, Who Can Fill Cavities and Check Teeth, Get the OK in More States
- Colorectal Cancer Is Rising among Younger Adults. Some States Want to Boost Awareness.
- Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
- Food Stamps Go Further in Rural Areas — Until You Add Transportation Costs
- CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Texas
- CMS Proposes New Payments for Digital Health Under CY2025 PFS Draft Rule
- Improving Public Health by Strengthening Community Infrastructure
- Biden Harris Administration Proposes Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities
- Nearly Half of U.S. Counties Don't Have a Single Cardiologist
- Randolph County, Ill. Turns Unused Part of Nursing Home Into State-Of-The-Art Behavioral Health Center
Medicaid Promoting Interoperability FAQ
Question: We are currently signed up for medical Meaningful Use (MU), but would like to find out about dental Meaningful Use. Is the program the same for dental in terms of requirements? What would we need to do if interested in attesting for dental? Additionally, are there any penalties for not attesting in the final year? If we are not meeting the measures, will this affect any previous incentives received? Also, is there a requirement to continue reporting for MU even after the incentive period ends?
Answer: The Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program does allow dental providers to participate in the program. However, to participate, the dental eligible provider must have received an Adopt, Implement and Upgrade (AIU) payment prior to 2017. Meaningful Use requirements pertain to all Eligible Professionals (EPs) and do not differ for dentists. There are no Medicaid penalties in not meeting or participating in the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program in the final year of the program (2021) or any year. There is also no requirement to continue to report on your MU measures for the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program.
Walmart Opens “Healthcare Supercenters”
Walmart is looking beyond traditional retail clinics to create “supercenters” with comprehensive healthcare services. The company rolled out two Walmart Health clinics in June, one in Loganville, Georgia and one in Springdale, Arkansas. These “healthcare supercenters” are not just the typical walk-in urgent-center, but a one-stop shop for healthcare, with primary care, urgent care, diagnostics, x-rays, behavioral health and dental care.”There’s a big difference between offering healthcare services to drive more people to your store and offering healthcare services because you’re in the healthcare business,” said Walmart President of Health and Wellness Sean Slovenski. “We’re in healthcare. We are not in retail healthcare. We’re recruiting physicians in all of these areas and bringing them in.” One differentiator is also cost: a primary care appointment costs just $40; children $20. Read more.
Homelessness and COVID-19: A Merger of Two Epidemics
The COVID-19 pandemic placed a spotlight on the homeless and home insecure population, highlighting the health challenges faced by this community and the additional risks posed by COVID-19. A new analysis estimates that homeless individuals infected by COVID-19 are two to four times as likely to require critical care and two to three times as likely to die compared to the general population. Hosted by the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation, this webinar examined the state of homelessness, its impact on health and strategies to improve outcomes for homeless individuals both in the short and long term.
Consolidated Webpage Addresses HRSA Scope of Project & COVID-19
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has consolidated existing scope of project information as it relates to the COVID-19 public health emergency on to a single webpage. No new guidance is included. Instead, it provides a single place to find scope of project and COVID-19 resources. Also, as a reminder, HRSA continually updates the COVID-19 FAQ webpage and the page for coronavirus-related funding FAQs. The COVID-19 Information for Health Centers and Partners webpage now includes links to Provider Relief Fund FAQs/resources.
DOL Publishes Online Tool to Help Employees Determine FFCRA Eligibility
On June 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced an online tool for employees to help them determine if they are eligible for paid sick leave due to COVID-19. This tool walks employees through a series of questions to test if their employer qualifies for the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). If the provisions apply, the tool moves forward to guide the employee on whether they qualify for either paid sick leave or extended family and medical leave under FFCRA. The DOL is working a similar employer online tool that is to be published soon.
Teledentistry Bill Introduced
A bill authorizing the regulation of teledentistry by the State Board of Dentistry and providing for insurance coverage of teledentistry was introduced by Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery) this week. Click here to read the legislation.
Senate Passes Bill to Remove FQHC Funding Cap
The Senate unanimously passed SB 273, which removes the artificial 25% limitation on funds for FQHCs distributed in accordance with the Community-Based Health Care Act. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. Previous versions of the legislation unanimously passed in the House. PACHC will be meeting with House leadership to press for passage before the end of the legislative session.
Quarterly 340B Program Registration Opens July 1
Quarterly 340B Program site registration opens July 1 through July 15. Health centers will be able to register a site that is verified as implemented and with a site status reflected as “active” on Electronic Handbook (EHB) Form 5B through August 21. After that date, the system will close to prepare for the October 1 start. Email the 340B call center or call 888-340-2787 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm) to register a new site or ask questions. The following information is needed when calling: health center name; site/clinic name; site IDs for all sites; HRSA/BPHC grant number; contact name and email address and authorizing official name and email address. The authorizing official will receive an email message that the account is unlocked, and a registration may be submitted.
DHS Issues MA Bulletin on Update to ACCESS ID Card
On June 24, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) issued MA Bulletin 99-20-08: Update to the Medical Assistance ACCESS ID Card. Beginning this summer, DHS will begin distribution of redesigned MA ACCESS identification cards to new MA beneficiaries as well as those needing a replacement card. Yellow ACCESS cards will remain valid for all other MA beneficiaries. The new cards are designed to be more visually appealing and to resemble a credit or debit card to reduce stigma.
New COVID-19 Resources
The CMS Office of Minority Health has new resources available to assist consumers with information on health coverage and staying safe at home during this pandemic. These resources from the Coverage to Care (C2C) series are valuable and can be downloaded and printed as part of your outreach and education to consumers and patients. COVID-19 and Your Health Coverage and COVID-19-Resources for Vulnerable Populations provide links and helpful information. Some of these resources are also available in other languages.