There is limited information on the extent to which Rural Health Clinics (RHC) provide pediatric and pregnancy-related services to individuals enrolled in state Medicaid/CHIP programs. In part, this is because methods to identify RHC encounters within Medicaid claims data are outdated. This brief from the Maine Rural Health Research Center describes a methodology for identifying RHC encounters within the Medicaid claims data using Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) Analytic Files.

Read the full article here.

The Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will test a new model beginning January 1, 2025, that aims to increase the number of low-revenue accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (SSP). Participating ACOs will receive monthly prospective, primary care payments (PPCPs) from CMS to address the medical and health-related social needs of their patients.  The ACOs will distribute the PPCS to their primary care providers, which can include Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. CMS encourages distributing funds to providers on a capitated basis. ACO Primary Care Flex Model participants will also receive a one-time Advanced Shared Savings Payment to help cover the costs of forming an ACO and administrative costs associated with the model.  While this model features joint participation in both ACO Flex and the Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO Flex participants will not be eligible to receive the SSP’s Advance Investment Payments.  CMS will host an hour-long public overview webinar on Thursday, April 4, at 2:00 pm Eastern. A Request for Applications is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2024. The initial submission period to apply to the SSP closes June 17, 2024.

Read the full article here.

HRSA’s National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. Awardees will receive tax-free tuition payment, fees, and other essential educational expenses, along with a stipend for their living costs. They are expected to serve at least two years at NHSC-approved sites in underserved rural, urban, and tribal communities. Read more about eligibility and applying in the Bureau of Health Workforce’s bulletin.

The National Health Service Corp (NHSC) is now accepting applications for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Please make sure your eligible staff are aware of the May 9, 2024, deadline. This year, NHSC has increased award amounts to $75,000 for full-time and up to $37,500 for half-time participants who are physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistance. Additionally, there is an added $5,000 award enhancement for clinicians who demonstrate Spanish-language proficiency. Award levels for dental and behavioral health professionals remain at $50,000 plus the Spanish-fluency bonus.

There were a record number of primary care positions offered in the 2024 Match, with a 92.9% fill rate for the specialties this year, according to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).This month’s Match figures showed 4,595 medical students and graduates matching into family medicine residency programs; there were 5,231 slots this year, or 124 more than in 2023. There was a total of 19,423 primary care positions, or 46.8% of all positions offered in the Match, comprising family medicine, internal medicine, internal medicine-pediatrics, and pediatrics, according to NRMP.

AstraZeneca this week became the second company in recent weeks to announce it will cap the out-of-pocket costs that patients pay for its inhalers at $35. The cap is effective June 1 and will apply to the company’s entire range of inhaler products used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including inhalers Symbicort, Breztri Aerosphere, and Airsupra. The cap will be applicable for patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

A new HRSA-funded study shows that Community Health Centers with the highest use of patient support services (aka enabling services) such as transportation, score higher than other FQHCs on 90% of clinical quality process measures (e.g., cervical cancer screening, childhood immunization status). This suggests that health-related social services make a significant positive impact on clinical health outcomes. The article is the top one listed here.

The Department of Labor (DOL)’s Final Rule governing the standard for determining independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) became effective March 11, 2024. The Final Rule establishes a six-factor economic realities worker classification test and rescinds a narrower rule issued in 2021. The multifactor test uses a totality-of-the-circumstances analysis to determine whether a worker is an employee who is economically dependent on the employer for work or an independent contractor who is in business for themself. For more information, read this SEK article.

From 240 individual hospitals not that long ago, Pennsylvania is down to 19 independent hospitals not affiliated with a larger health system. Pennsylvania is not alone in this trend that has raised some alarm. Consequently, the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and Federal Trade Commission seek public comment on the effects of private equity funds’ acquisition of health care providers, mergers involving providers and health systems, and private payers’ purchase of physician practices. There is concern about patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care, and the rising cost of health care for patients and taxpayers. The Departments are particularly interested in receiving input on the effects of consolidation on patients and healthcare providers, including any differences between rural and urban areas. This is your opportunity to weigh in on how mergers and acquisitions have impacted your patients, your health center and your communities. The deadline for comments is May 6, 2024. Find more information including the link to submit comments here.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. During this period each year, consumers can switch from their Medicare Advantage Plan (excluding Medical Savings Accounts, cost plans, and PACE) to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or to Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan. They can only use this enrollment period if they have a Medicare Advantage Plan. If consumers signed up for Part A and/or Part B because of an exceptional situation, they’ll have two months to join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan (Part D). The coverage will start the first day of the month after the plan receives the request to join.