• Notice of Changes to Retro Prior Authorization Timeframe Requirements
• Policy Updates April 2019
  • Reimbursement Policies
  • Medical Policies

Oral arguments are expected by autumn in the Trump administration’s appeal of a judge’s decision to strike down Kentucky’s now-stalled overhaul of Medicaid.

Earlier this month, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit partly agreed to a request from the Trump administration for the case to be expedited, despite opposition from the group of Medicaid recipients that had sued the government.

Secretary Azar Statement on Measles Outbreaks

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Alex Azar issued a statement this week about the outbreak of measles, now diagnosed in more than 700 cases across the country.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed outbreaks in 22 states. Symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash of flat, red spots.  Available data do not indicate that rural areas are more or less affected, but the CDC’s national surveys that monitor vaccination coverage have identified that unvaccinated children are more likely to be uninsured, live below the poverty level, and live in rural areas. Many may not know about the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program that serves children up to age 18 who are uninsured or underinsured, or who receive care through Federally Qualified Health Centers or Rural Health Clinics.  Adults who are unsure of their measles vaccination status should consider getting the updated Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Calendar Year 2020 Requirements for Federal Tort Claims Act Medical Malpractice Coverage

HRSA has issued PAL 2019-02 to describe the process for Health Center Program grantees to submit applications for Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) initial deeming and redeeming for CY 2019 and 2020.

HRSA has also issued the Health Center Volunteer Health Professional (VHP) FTCA Program PAL 2019-03 with the requirements for Health Center Program grantees to submit applications to sponsor VHPs for FTCA initial, supplemental, and redeeming for CY 2019 and 2020. Both PALs are available on the FTCA Program webpage.

Health Center and Health Center VHP FTCA Programs redeeming applications (for coverage for CY 2020) are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, July 1. The redeeming application period begins on Friday, May 17. We accept initial deeming applications year-round.

Diabetes Resource Hub

The National Center for Farmworker Health, a HRSA-funded NCA, has launched a Diabetes Resource Hub featuring their partnership with the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). It provides resources and tools related to the prevention, management, and treatment of prediabetes and diabetes. It also offers information about AADE’s Prevention Network and the National Diabetes Prevention Program led by CDC.

The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) released its annual report on workforce shortages for health care across the nation.  This year’s report addresses unmet behavioral health needs and identifies primary care providers as essential, particularly in rural areas, because primary care is the main point of entry into the health care system.  

Henry Schein continues their longstanding partnership servicing Community Health Centers and is the only distributor with medical and dental capabilities.  We are the only national 340B distributor offering you capital equipment, med/surg supplies, lab and non-340B pharma in physician class-of-trade outside of major wholesalers.  We provide next day service and offer a vast portfolio of solutions designed to be a resource for your centers to help improve patient outcomes, clinician/patient satisfaction as well as lowering costs.

MedPro Disposal is the fastest growing, privately held healthcare waste removal company in the country.

There are significant advantages, outside of price for doing business with MedPro Disposal
• No mysterious fees - we offer flat-fee pricing without the extra charges.
• Industry leading insurance policy - $16 million umbrella policy protects your practice.
• Dedicated team of customer advocates – quick resolutions to your needs.

Information for KPCA Members
 

USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make awards ranging from $35,000 to $125,000 for projects that meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution and community outreach, and that promote local access to farm-produced food.  Eligible applicants are public food program service providers, tribal organizations, and private nonprofit entities, including those that collect or harvest surplus food. 

Applications due by June 3.

Learn More

FAQs for Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation Funding

The deadline for applications for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation is May 6.  The Health Resources and Services Administration has provided answers to frequently asked questions on eligibility and application requirements.  Additionally, you can view a recording of the technical assistance webinar for applicants. For questions beyond those in the link above, email ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov.

The application deadline is Friday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The National Quality Initiative (NQI) is funded by the HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and is part of the Bureau’s CoIIN program, which uses evidence-based strategies to improve the health of America’s mothers, children and families.

Medication Adherence Tip of the Week- How do you as the provider start the conversation and create a blame-free environment?

Always start by wording questions in a way that gives patients the permission to say, “I’m not taking the medicine.” Instead of asking, “Are you taking these medicines?” consider a different approach such as, “I know taking medicine every day is difficult; how often do you miss them?” This way, you give the patient an opportunity to say, “Yes, I do miss them sometimes.”

Pharmacy Update -The FDA has approved Samsung Bioepis' Eticovo (etanercept-ykro) subcutaneous injection as a biosimilar to Enbrel (etanercept) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years or older, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in patients 4 years or older. Eticovo is dispensed with a Medication Guide, and its labeling includes a Boxed Warning regarding the risk of serious infections and malignancies.
 

• Oral Health Infrastructure Toolkit Webinar
• Perspectives on Oropharyngeal Cancer: Scientific Overview, Clinical Expertise, and Personal Experience
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Webinar

• Winter Farm Flood Health Threats: Risk Factors During Recovery

• Addressing the Burden of COPD in Rural America
• Workforce Grand Rounds Webinar Series: Telehealth Training Models for the Health Workforce Recording
• Emergency Preparedness Communications: Key Considerations Recording