CMS Region 7 Call on Accountable Health Communities on Tuesday, March 1 at 1pm CT (12noon MT)

On Tuesday, March 1st, at 1:00 pm, the Kansas City Regional Office will be holding a stakeholder call to discuss the recently announced Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model. The AHC Model is intended to address the critical gap between clinical care and community services in the current healthcare delivery system. Unmet health-related social needs, such as food insecurity and inadequate or unstable housing, may increase the risk of developing chronic conditions, reduce individuals’ ability to manage these conditions, increase health care costs, and lead to avoidable health care utilization. The AHC model will test whether increased awareness of, and access to, services addressing health-related social needs will impact total health care costs and improve the health and quality of care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in targeted communities.

CMS will support up to 44 cooperative agreements as part of this model, with awards ranging from up to $1 million in Track 1 of the model, to up to $4.51 million in Track 3.

Eligible applicants are community-based organizations, health care practices, hospitals and health systems, institutions of higher education, local government entities, tribal organizations, and for-profit and not-for-profit local and national entities with the capacity to develop and maintain a referral network with clinical delivery sites and community service providers.  Applicants from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia may apply.

Attached, please find a Fact Sheet on the AHC Model. These calls will be for discussion only. As this is an open funding opportunity, we will not be able to answer questions directly over the phone. All questions, however, will be collected and sent to subject matter experts for response. For specific questions not answered in the Fact Sheet or the Funding Opportunity Announcement, you may also send an email to AccountableHealthCommunities@cms.hhs.gov.

 

What: CMS Region 7 Call on Accountable Health Communities

When: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 @ 1:00 pm Central Time

Call-in #: 1-877-267-1577 / Meeting Number: 999 517 656

URL: https://meetings.cms.gov/orion/joinmeeting.do?MeetingKey=999517656

RSVP Is Not Required

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NEW SPECIAL ENROLLMENT CONFIRMATION PROCESS ANNOUNCED

On February 24, 2016, CMS announced a new Special Enrollment Confirmation Process.

Under the new Special Enrollment Confirmation Process all consumers applying through the most common HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) will be directed to submit documentation to verify their eligibly to use a SEP. CMS will then review the documents to ensure consumers qualify for a SEP. The Special Enrollment Confirmation Process will be implemented over the next several months.

Refer to this Fact Sheet for further information on how the Special Enrollment Confirmation Process will work and what else CMS is doing to improve the SEP process.

Over the next few weeks, CMS will solicit feedback on these new verification requirements. Assisters are encouraged to send their feedback to SEP@cms.hhs.gov.

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NCQA PCMH Standards Teleconferences Part 1: Thurs., March 17 at 1-3pm CT (12noo-2pm MT) and Part 2: Tues., March 22 at 1-3pm CT (12noon-2pm MT)

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2014 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Standards Teleconferences – Part 1: Thursday, March 17, 2016, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., ET and Part 2: Tuesday, March 22, 2016, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., ET – NCQA will discuss the basic content of 2014 PCMH standards and documentation requirements for PCMH Standards. Part 1 will cover NCQA PCMH standards 1 to 3, and Part 2 will cover NCQA PCMH standards 4 to 6.

Connect to the audio using 1-866-505-4013; Participant ID: 5633-724-136.

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DEADLINE APPROACHING for 340B Re-Certification! Re-certify by March 9, 2016!

340B Recertification Deadline – HRSA requires all 340B covered entities to annually recertify their program information in order to continue participation in the 340B Program.  To remain in the 340B Drug Pricing Program and continue purchasing covered outpatient drugs at discounted 340B prices, HRSA grantees must complete the annual 340B recertification by Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

Currently-certified entities have received their username and password necessary for recertification. Entity Authorizing Officials must log into the 340B database, update information as needed and attest to the entity’s compliance with 340B Program requirements.

For more information about the 340B program and to see a 340B Recertification webinar, visit HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs website. For questions or concerns related to recertification or any other 340B matters, contact ApexusAnswers@340Bpvp.com, 1-888-340-2787 or online at www.340Bpvp.com.

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Fundamentals of the National CLAS Standards webinar on Thurs., Mar. 17 at 2pm CT (1pm MT)

Upcoming Webinar: Fundamentals of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care

Please join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health for the first webinar in a series on the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS Standards).

Culturally and linguistically appropriate services means that services are respectful of and responsive to individual cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy levels and communication needs. Implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services helps individuals and organizations respond to the demographic changes in the U.S.; reduce health disparities; improve the quality of services; meet legislative, regulatory and accreditation mandates; gain a competitive edge in the market place; and decrease the likelihood of liability. The National CLAS Standards provide a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to best serve our nation’s increasingly diverse communities through culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Attendees will learn about culturally and linguistically appropriate services and the National CLAS Standards.

For additional resources on the National CLAS Standards, please visit: www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov.

 

Webinar: Fundamentals of the National CLAS Standards March 17, 2016 at 2 pm CT (1pm MT) Featured Speaker:

J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health Director, Office of Minority Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1124444526228357633

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

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CMS Announces Accountable Health Communities Funding Opportunity to Improve Community Linkages to Address SDOH

Over a five-year period, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) will implement and evaluate a three-track Accountable Health Communities Model based on emerging evidence that addressing health-related socials needs through enhanced clinical-community linkages can improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Each track features interventions of varying intensity that link beneficiaries with community services (from referrals to actual alignment). For more information, see https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ahcm

NACHC strongly
encourages health centers, PCAs, and HCCNs to apply! If your organization is
considering an application or have any questions, please let us know! Email
Michelle Proser at mproser@nachc.org.

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NHSC Loan Repayment Program accepting applications through April 5

APPLY NOW

Accepting applications through April 5, 7:30 p.m. ET

2016 Application and Program Guidance (PDF -401 KB) has the detailed information you need to apply. Please read carefully before you start your Loan Repayment Program application.

Primary care medical, dental and mental/behavioral health clinicians can get up to $50,000 to repay their health profession student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment to work at an approved NHSC site in a high-need, underserved area. The payment is free from Federal income tax and is made at the beginning of service so you can more quickly pay down your loans. Approved sites are located across the U.S., in both urban and rural areas.

After completing your initial service commitment, you can apply to extend your service and receive additional loan repayment assistance.

The amount you receive and length of your commitment depends on where you serve (service at sites in higher need areas yields greater loan repayments). It also depends on whether you select the full-time or half-time option. See the 2016 Application and Program Guidance (PDF – 401 KB) for details. See if your site is already approved at the NHSC Jobs Center.

The NHSC gives priority consideration to eligible applicants whose NHSC-approved site(s) has a HPSA score of 26 to 14, in descending order, until funding is exhausted.

Application HelpAsk questions and learn more about the NHSC Loan Repayment Program and application process.

Webinar NHSC Loan Repayment Program Application and Program Guidelines Webinar February11, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET Dial in: 1-888-566-6151 Passcode: 4221465

NHSC Loan Repayment Program Technical Assistance Conference Calls February 25, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET March 10, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET Dial in: 1-888-566-6151 Participant passcode: 4221465

Resources:

Verification Regarding Disadvantage Background

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Authorized Representatives and Third Party Representatives

Key Takeaways: CMS has temporarily suppressed the “authorized user” page that was previously available in a consumer’s My Account. Consumers cannot currently appoint formal authorized representatives through either the online or paper applications. Help consumers understand the two different types of representatives (authorized representatives vs. third-party representatives) so they can make informed choices about who speaks or acts on their behalf.

Because of a system defect, consumers cannot currently appoint formal authorized representatives through either the online or paper applications. To avoid confusion, the “authorized user” page won’t be visible until CMS can fully implement the appropriate functionality. This does not affect the information that consumers enter about who assisted them in the application.

As a reminder, for Call Center purposes only, a consumer can designate an individual as a third-party representative to communicate with the Marketplace Call Center on the consumer’s behalf. Please refer to slides 13 and 14 of the How Assisters Can Help Consumers Apply for Coverage through the Marketplace Call Center presentation for information on how consumers can designate someone to speak to the Call Center on their behalf. Communicate to consumers that the major difference between allowing an assister to act as a third-party representative and the designation of an authorized representative is that acting as a third-party representative does not allow the assister to make decisions on behalf of the consumer, which includes selecting a plan or filing an appeal on behalf of the consumer.

These roles are not interchangeable, so if a consumer designates someone to act in one capacity—in an appeal, for example—it does not mean that person has been designated in another capacity—such as to communicate with the Marketplace Call Center. Each type of designation must be done separately, and consumers may not want the same person in each role. You can help consumers understand these different types of representatives so they can make informed choices about who speaks or acts on their behalf.

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The Facts about the Affordable Care Act and Enforcement

Affordable coverage options are available in the Health Insurance Marketplace for immigrant families. Share these facts with immigrant consumers about getting coverage:

  • Mixed status families can apply for a tax credit or lower out-of-pocket costs for private insurance for their dependent family members who are eligible for coverage in the Marketplace or for Medicaid and CHIP coverage. Family members who aren’t applying for health coverage for themselves won’t be asked if they have eligible immigration status.
  • Federal and state Marketplaces, and state Medicaid and CHIP agencies can’t require consumers to provide information about the citizenship or immigration status of any family or household members who aren’t applying for coverage.
  • States can’t deny consumers benefits because a family or household member who isn’t applying hasn’t provided his or her citizenship or immigration status.
  • Information that a consumer provides to the Marketplace won’t be used for immigration enforcement purposes.

Additional Resources on Eligibility and Application Help for Immigrant Families:

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