This Week in CHCACTion! May 2, 2016

May 2, 2016

Announcements

• SAMHSA has released a new pocket guide for health professionals, Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Click here to download your copy today!
• The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has announced a new toll-free number connecting residents seeking treatment and services for an opioid addiction to local walk-in assessment centers. Residents will now be able to call 1-800-563-4086, 24 hours a day, to connect them or a loved one to a walk-in assessment center in their area. Click here for more information.
• Consultants Providing Direct TA to Grantees/Mock OSV. BPHC and MSCG are providing clarification regarding the “Mock OSV” policy reminder included in the September 2015 e-news. BPHC will not use MSCG contract funds to pay for consultants to conduct Mock OSVs or provide training/technical assistance on the OSV process. Also consultants who are contacted by a grantee or PCA to provide such services should clearly communicate that they are not representing BPHC or MSCG. Grantees and PCAs should first contact their BPHC Project Officer for assistance with the OSV self-assessment and/or questions regarding the OSV process.
• CHCACT is Hiring. Check our job bank for opportunities to work at CHCACT or Federally Qualified Health Centers in Connecticut.

Trainings, Webinars & Conferences

• Please check our Calendar of Events for upcoming trainings!

Funding Opportunities

• Check out the CHCACT Funding Opportunities page here!
• Connecticut’s Department of Public Health is seeking proposals to support the development and/or expansion of sustainable school-based/school-linked dental sealant programs. Funding will be for a two (2) year period beginning approximately September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2018. Learn more!
• The RGK Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations in the general areas of education, community and health/medicine. These grants are not geographically-restricted and are awarded on an ongoing basis. Learn more!
• The Cigna World of Difference Grants Program looks for nonprofits with which to collaborate on projects to overcome barriers to their health and well-being. Learn more!

Ask CHCACT!

“Ask CHCACT” features Outreach & Enrollment and other questions from health center staff, answered by your favorite CHCACT staff members! Send your questions to ask@chcact.org!

Arianne Cacciatore answers this week’s question:

Q: There have been cases where clients have underreported their income on their Access Health CT applications, for a qualified health plan with Advanced Premium Tax Credits.  If this happens, which notice(s) should the client be looking for to see that the credits have changed once they send in the correct verifications?

A: According to the IRD, the client should look at Notice 1326 (the number will be to the left of the barcode above the page numbers). It will be on their 90 days final determination notice.

All notices can be found electronically in “My inbox” under “View More.”

Upcoming CHCACT Meetings

HR Directors’ Workgroup.  FQHC HR Directors will meet face-to-face on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 11-3:00 at CHCACT, 1484 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT. For more information, please  contact Dionne Kotey.

Dental Directors’ Workgroup. Dental Directors will meet by conference call on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 12-1:00 pm. To join the call, please call 712-770-4010, passcode 269243#. For more information,  please contact Deb Polun.

All CHCACT Staff can be reached by calling 860.667.7820.

This Week in Health Policy News

Here is a sampling of health policy news from around the state. If you see something in your local newspaper that you would like featured here in future weeks, please contact Deb Polun at dpolun@chcact.org. Check out all the Health Policy News from the past month here!

Featured Stories
5.2.16 Republican-American: Health Coverage May Lapse (feat. StayWell)
4.30.16 News Times: Undocumented, Uninsured (feat. CIFC-Greater Danbury Community Health Center)
4.29.16 WTNH: Community Health Center Advocates Concerned About Medicaid Cuts
4.29.16 The Day: Malloy’s Budget Threatens Health Coverage for 1,700 UCFS Patients
4.29.16 Norwich Bulletin: As Many as 1,700 UCFS Clients Could Lose Health Coverage
4.28.16 Norwich Bulletin Op-Ed: UCFS Chair – State Cuts to Health Centers Would Devastate Care

State Health News
5.2.16 CT Mirror: Malloy Offering a Compromise Budget to Legislators Today
4.30.16 CT Mirror: The Basics – Medical Marijuana for Children Wins Final Passage
4.28.16 CT Mirror: CT Health Care Costs Are High, But Which Are Highest?
4.25.16 Hartford Courant: Community Health Center Acquires CT Children’s Clinic in Hartford
4.21.16 New Britain Herald: Proposed Health Cuts Affect Low-Income Families

ACA/Health Reform News
4.22.16 CT Mirror: In Fourth Year, Obamacare Exchange Eyes Broader Role
4.19.16 CT Mirror: United Healthcare Will Leave CT Exchange in 2017

Resources

CHCACT maintains and regularly updates resources on clinical issues, human resources, HIPAA, SNAP and more! Click here to check out CHCACT’s Resources!*

• The Connecticut Department of Public Health has new information about the Zika Virus on its web site, including symptoms and testing guidelines.
• Scope of Project Webpage: HRSA has released a new “Scope of Project” Page on the BPHC website. This page provides a “one-stop-shop” for Health Center Program Scope of Project and Change-in-Scope policy, process, and resources. View the new Scope of Project webpage.
• Capital Link Publications. As part of their assistance to health centers, Capital Link has developed a collection of resource publications to assist health centers in accomplishing specific tasks related to the capital development process. These publications are provided to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Primary Care Associations (PCAs) free of charge. Their resources, including publications, reports, and past webinars are available here.

* Some Resources are password-protected. If you would like a password for www.chcact.org, please contact Tasheenah Brown.

Events/Educational Opportunities