Utilizing BPHC PINS and PALS-Updated 5/04

Transcription

1 Utilizing BPHC PINS and PALS-Updated 5/04 Important Recent PINS FY 2004 Funding Opportunity for Health Center New Access Point Applications Outlines requirements for New Access Point Applications (New Starts or Satellite clinics.) Deadline extended to June 18, 2004 for round two of FY04 NAPs. Describes new readiness standard of 120 days. Maximum grant awards of $650,000 per year. In first year this may include up to $150,000 for minor capital Non-Competing Continuation Application Guidance for Fiscal Year 2004 for Integrated Services Development Initiative, Shared Integrated Management Information Systems, and Information and Communication Technology Grantees Outlines application continuation guidelines for those grantees funded in fiscal years, 2001, 2002, and 2003 with project periods that extend beyond August 31, Applications due June 1, Medicaid Reimbursement for Behavioral Health Services Includes CMS memo stating that State Medicaid Agencies are required to reimburse FQHCs for behavioral health services provided by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and clinical social workers. Expired Funding PINS that may be Helpful in Planning: Increase in Medical Capacity Details eligibility requirements, review criteria and provides new application format for organizations seeking to expand their medical capacity for sites currently within their scope of project. Deadline is March 29 th, Grant awards will be announced on or around August 1, Maximum funding is $600,000 per year. $26 million is available in the competition. Provides benchmarks for significant increase in the number of new medical users (defined as 3,000 new users or 25% increase agency wide for CHCs; 1,000 or 10% for stand alone HCH, MHC, SBHC and Public Housing programs.) Only one application is allowed per organization. Organizations that received an EMC grant or a New Access Point grant in FY 2003 cannot apply for a 2004 EMC grant for the same site Expanded Services Details the eligibility requirements, review criteria and provides required format for organizations seeking to increase mental health, substance abuse, or oral health services, and/or health disparities collaborative quality care management services. Deadline is April 5, Grant awards will be announced on or around August 1, Maximum funding is $150,000 for MH/SA (new programs can request an additional $10,000 for technical assistance), $250,000 for new oral health programs, $150,000 for oral health expansions, and $40,000 for HDC Each organization can apply for one service (either MH/SA or Oral Health) grant AND one HDC grant Application Instructions for Service Area Competition (including all competing continuations) Details service area competition eligibility requirements, review criteria and awarding factors for organizations seeking operational support under the Consolidated Health Center Program. Deadline is 12/31/03 for all grantees whose project period ends before June 30, 2004, and May 3, 2004 for grantees with a project period ending 8/31/04. Describes new evaluation process using an Independent Review Committee. The guidance is more extensive than previous years because the IRC reviewers have less familiarity with each service area and project Uniform Data System Calendar Year 2003 Announces February 15, 2004 due date for CY 2003 data (reporting materials out by January 04) Removes lines from Table 2 for CY2003 Outlines changes for 2004 in tables 2, 3B,5, 6, 7 and 8A and requires Special Population Grantees to report on Table 5, Migrant grantees to complete Tables 3A, 3B, 4, 5 and 6

2 Non Competing Funding Opportunities for Healthy Communities Access Program Outlines guidelines for existing HCAP grantees in applying for non-competing continuation support. HCAP provides funding to consortiums of providers to coordinate and strengthen their overall "safety net" services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. HCAP grantees considered eligible for non-competing continuation support are those who received their initial CAP award in September 2002 and received an HCAP competing continuation award in FY 2003 and those grantees that received their initial HCAP award in September of 2003 Eligible existing HCAP grantees may apply for continuation funds in an amount up to 70 percent of their FY 2003 HCAP Competing Continuation or New Award. Granting contingent on reasonable and demonstrable progress. Due Date: May 14, Funding Opportunities for New and Fourth Year Competing Continuation Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) Grant Applicants Outlines guidelines for funding for new HCAP awards, and for existing HCAP grantees, (4th year funding) that can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances that directly prevented the completion of goals and objectives set in the applicant s FY 2003 grant application. Approximately $35 million available for an estimated 35 new grants. The average initial grant award is $900,000. Fourth year applicants may request up to 70% of the FY 2003 HCAP Competing Continuation Award. Applications due April 5, Funding Opportunities for Health Center Network Planning and Development Grant Applications Contains eligibility criteria, review criteria, and award factors for health centers seeking support for network activities under the Integrated Services Development Initiative (ISDI). For fiscal year (FY) 2004, funding support is available through three opportunities: ISDI development, ISDI planning, and pharmacy network development. Guidance supersedes Policy Information Notice (PIN) for ISDI, SIMIS and ICT in FY 2003, and PIN for pharmacy network development. Due date April 19, PINS of Ongoing Relevance Guidance for the Loan Guarantee Program This guidance contains information for applicants seeking a loan guarantee to finance the costs of developing and operating practice management networks or managed care networks or plans FQHC Look-Alike Guidelines and Application Outlines guidelines for designation and recertification of FQHC look-alikes. There are no deadlines for application submission. Major revisions include: addition of a Letter of Interest step to the process, addition of a compliance checklist and a number of forms, addition of a change in scope policy and procedure, expansion of the process by which state Medicaid agencies review applications, and clarification of the annual re-certification process Single Grant Application Instructions for Non-competing HC Continuation Funding Instructs Health Centers applying for non-competing funds to use PIN Outlines items that must be included in the grant in addition to those outlined in PIN , including items related to: FTCA, Project Updates, Health Disparities Collaboratives, Applications are due 120 days prior to the budget period start date Scope of Project Policy Addresses changes in scope of project that do not require additional funds. Scope of Project impacts access to the following programs: BPHC project funding, FTCA, 340B Drug Pricing, determines sites and services for PPS reimbursement (including under the alternative method) for Medicaid, and for Medicare cost-based reimbursement. Major changes include: Changes in scope will no longer be considered as part of a continuation grant application, and must be requested using the process described in the PIN; there is no retroactive change in scope. If approved, the effective date of change is the date of the request.

3 Excellence in Practice: Health Disparities Collaboratives Expectations Defines the central role of the Collaboratives in meeting the BPHC Program Expectations (PIN 98-12) and concepts outlined in the Clinical Program Assistance Letter. Describes the 6 elements of the collaborative models. The BPHC expects all Health Centers to participate in one of the Collaborative learning processes and to continue to spread & report on the Collaborative in phase Electronic Distribution of BPHC documents (And ) PINS and PALS will no longer be mailed. Each Health Center should have designated a person to receive PINS/PALS electronically. See below for current contact information Creating a Financial Recovery Plan A financial recovery plan is required when a health center faces financial problems that impact both its stability and viability. This can be identified via a PCER, JCAHCO, audit findings, early draw down of federal funds, request of supplemental funding, etc. The PIN describes how the FRP should be developed, what it should contain, and to whom it should be submitted Clarification of BPHC Credentialing & Privileging Policy Requires that all health centers assess the credential of each licensed or certified health care practitioner to determine if they meet health center standards. This includes regular and contract employees, volunteers and locum tenens. Practitioners include licensed independent practitioners and other licensed or certified practitioners. The PIN describes the method of that should be used for various types of credentialing New Requirements for Deeming Under the Federally Supported Health Centers This PIN supplements previous policy and clarifies that Health Centers must apply to be redeemed each year. The application must be submitted as part of the Single Grant Application, (beginning on October 1, 2002) for the health center to continue in the FTCA program Single Grant Application for Continuation Funding under the Health Center Cluster Outlines requirements for both budget period and project period renewal for all Health Center programs. Applications are due 120 days prior to future budget start date. See PIN for recent additional requirements Clarification of Policy for Health Centers Deemed Covered Under the Federal Torts Claim Act for Medical Malpractice. The following clarifications are made: FTCA covers officers, employees and governing board members of health centers as well as fulltime contracted health care practitioners, and certain certified or licensed health care practitioners. Health Center employees can be covered for services provided off-site even if the health center doesn t directly bill for those services, as long as the outlined conditions are met Health Center Program Expectations This document describes expectations of entities funded by the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act as amended by the Health Centers Consolidation Act of All health centers authorized to receive grants under section 330 are covered by these expectations. Recent PALS Applying for National Health Service Corps Recruitment and Retention Assistance Encourages all Community Health Centers nationwide to post open clinical opportunities on the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) online job opportunities listing ( The online site is a source of employment opportunities for many different providers, including NHSC loan repayors, NHSC scholars, J-1 visa providers, state loan repayment recipients, and various other provider groups. Provides inforrmation on how to apply for NHSC recruitment and retention assistance Availability of Military Surplus Dental Equipment Provides information on how health centers can obtain surplus dental equipment available through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Reutilization, Transfer and Donation Program (R/T/D Program). Although the surplus material is free to FQHCs, transportation costs would be paid by the FQHCs. FQHCs may inquire about the availability of surplus equipment by contacting their State Agency for Surplus Property.

4 Use of Buprenorphine in Health Center Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. Provides information on how health centers providing substance abuse treatment services for opioid dependence, including dependence on prescription opioid medications, can use the authorities in the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 to provide buprenorphine to appropriate patients. PALS of Ongoing Relevance Homeless and Elderly Provides information related to understanding the special health care needs of elderly persons who are homeless Improving Vaccination Coverage in Children, Adolescents and Adults Provides valuable information and reference materials. Provides ideas for collaboration between BPHC programs, the CDC and the National Immunization Program (NIP) Pharmacy Plus Waivers Provides information on how PCAs and FQHCs can provide a pivotal role in successful implementation of a State pharmacy program under the new section 115 Pharmacy Plus waiver Emergency Preparedness and the Potential Role of Health Centers in Communities Provides Assistance to Health Centers in developing an emergency response plan Updated Recommendations on the Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and DtaP Outlines which patients should be prioritized for the vaccine given the current shortage President s Initiative to Expand Health Centers Provides an overview of the Initiative, and its three goals of strengthening existing health centers, managing the growth of new health centers, and managing quality improvement in all health centers. The PAL also outlines challenges to growth Assessment of Selected Domestic Violence Programs in BPHC Funded Health Centers Profiles nine successful domestic violence programs; gives a detailed overview of each program, including its protocol and how it was developed, staff training, patient barriers, and lessons learned. PINS are Policy Information Notices. These notices provide information 1) Funding Opportunities (for Health Centers, special projects and PCAs) 2) Major policy changes 3) Program Expectations PALS are Program Assistance Letters: These letters 1) Clarify BPHC expectations or policy 2) Describe opportunities 3) Provide clinical information Web Access: PINS and PALS can be accessed through the following links: PINS: PALS: Grantees and others who want to know when the FY 2004 Preview is updated may sign up to be notified by e- mail. All they need to do is go to the HRSA Grants Web page, < and click on the first bulleted link. The link reads: Sign up to be notified by when the FY 2004 HRSA Grants Preview is published. It leads to the HRSA Web-based response and Frequently Asked Questions Web site. Other Information Sources: CCHN usually re-distributes PINS/PALS as appropriate to Executive Directors and Section members. CCHN also keeps on hand the current PINS related to funding opportunities. Mindy Klowden (mindy@cchn.org) will these to you at your request. NACHC produces monographs on certain topics including overviews and explanations of BPHC policy as described in various PINS. These are available for a nominal cost at (search under Publications ). Frida Mitchem (301/ x 2070 or FMitchem@NACHC.com) is the main NACHC contact for operational policy issues. Your Program Officer at the HRSA Field Office can help guide you to PINS/PALs related to any concerns or questions you might have regarding BPHC requirements.

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