On July 21, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released information updating the timeline and schedule for mandatory reports on the use of Provider Relief Funds (PRF). (Please note: this information supersedes the announcement from May 2020 that reports would be due within 10 days of the end of each calendar quarter; that guidance has been rescinded.) The first report will now be due no later than Feb. 15, 2021 and will cover all funds used during CY 2020. Health centers that have not spent all their PRF monies in CY 2020 must submit a second report on their use of PRF funds in 2021; this report is due no later than July 31, 2021. HHS indicates that no reports will be accepted after July 10, 2021, suggesting that June 30, 2021 is the final date for using PRF funds; however, HHS has yet to say anything explicit about such an end date. HHS has also not released anything on what information must be included in these reports. HHS states that this information will be available no later than August 17, and that the reporting system will open on October 1. Please see the official HHS announcement for further details. Also, the NACHC “mega-spreadsheet” of info on Federal COVID funding sources will be updated ASAP to reflect this new info, including the chart list of major deadlines in Tab 2.
Value-Based Care: A Primer for Outreach and Enabling Services Staff
Health Outreach Partners, a HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAP), created this free, downloadable publication, Value-Based Care: A Primer for Outreach and Enabling Services Staff, to introduce value-based care and incentive payments to outreach and enabling services staff at community health centers. It describes the role of value-based care in outreach and provides specific examples of value-based care models and the relevance to health center outreach and enabling services staff.
New Pennsylvania Reinsurance Program
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority, received authorization to operate a Reinsurance Program under section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act, also known as a State Relief and Empowerment waiver, from 2021 through 2025. The reinsurance program will reduce premiums for consumers on the marketplace by approximately 5-10 percent for plan year 2021 and increase affordability and access to quality coverage. Reinsurance programs provide a direct benefit to consumers by paying a portion of provider claims that would normally be paid by consumers through higher premiums.
Bill Banning ‘Gag Clauses’ on Pharmacists Signed by Governor
Legislation that increases transparency and consumer choice in the prescription drug marketplace is now law. HB 943 (Act 67) ends the long-standing “gag clause” imposed on pharmacists, barring them from informing customers of lower-cost alternatives at the pharmacy counter. Such a prohibition stems from language contained in some pharmacy contracts that disallows pharmacists from disclosing any information to their customers that could potentially reduce their out-of-pocket costs for medications. The bill was signed into law July 23 and becomes effective in 60 days.
Governor Signs Revisions to Minor Consent Act into Law
On July 23, Gov. Wolf signed HB 672 (Act 65 of 2020) into law repealing provisions related to mental health treatment and release of medical records and adding new language providing for consent for voluntary inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment and for release of medical records. The law enables certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstances. The changes become effective in 60 days.
State Opens Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence Opportunity
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) reported on July 16, 2020, that it will allow additional Medicaid providers to enroll as an opioid use disorder Center of Excellence (COE). Providers who enroll in the Medicaid program as a COE will be eligible to bill managed care organizations (MCOs) for care management services. DHS will continue to monitor the COE care model to ensure that new providers are meeting the standards. For more information, see related article above on PACHC’s call on this OUD-COE opportunity. Access the DHS Opioid Use Disorder Centers of Excellence Bulletin & Application.
Cerner Launches Cloud-Based EHR System Geared for Rural and Critical Access Hospitals
Cerner, an electronic health record software company, launched a cloud-based version of its electronic health record (EHR) with the aim of helping rural and Critical Access Hospitals eliminate
COVID Crisis Highlights Need for Rural Broadband
Rural hospitals are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of having adequate broadband to enable access to telehealth. As telehealth becomes more popular, broadband becomes increasingly essential. The July 15 Webinar, “COVID-19 Impacts on Rural Healthcare and Broadband,” the fourth webinar in the “From the Farmgate” series of webinars CoBank sponsors, presented speakers covering these issues. These presenters advocate for rural broadband and healthcare stabilization through policy action. In addition, this article highlights a struggling hospital and showcases
HHS Study: Strategies Rural Communities Use to Address Substance Misuse Among Families in The Child Welfare System
The Office for Planning and Evaluation at HHS describes nine programs serving child welfare-involved parents with substance use issues, with a focus on their applicability to rural communities. These programs offered several types of services, including parent mentoring, case management, home visiting, and treatment for opioid use disorders.
Senators Propose Bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Fix for Rural Hospitals
Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tina Smith (D-MN), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would waive the Small Business Administration’s (SBA)