Expanding Nevada's Statewide Primary Care Resources

2016 National Health Service Corps New Site Application Cycle Open

New NHSC Site Application Cycle

For health care sites that have never been previously approved as an NHSC site, the new site application cycle is open until June 7, 2016. For any questions regarding the application process, contact Scott Jones at (775) 684-4047 or [email protected].

NHSC Site Recertification Cycle

All active NHSC sites with a 2016 expiration date should apply for recertification during the NHSC site recertification cycle. Inactive sites wishing to reactivate their status should also apply during the recertification cycle. The recertification cycle is set to be open from August 9, 2016 to October 4, 2016. For any questions regarding the recertification process, contact Scott Jones at (775) 684-4047 or [email protected].

Updated National Health Service Corps Mental and Behavioral Health Requirements

NOTE: The requirements summarized below may cause a significant challenge for many of our mental and behavioral health care providers.  The Nevada PCO is working with our federal and state administration to determine how best to meet these requirements going forward.

The FY16 NHSC Loan Repayment Application and Program Guidance outlines new requirements for mental and behavioral health providers and sites. The first new requirement is that full time providers must work a minimum of 40 hours per week with 32 of these hours spent providing patient care at NHSC approved sites. This new requirement reflects a reduction in the amount of time that can be spent providing patient care in alternative settings. NHSC participants awarded in FY15 or earlier will continue to adhere to the language of their original contracts.

The second new requirement is that  NHSC sites providing behavioral health services must provide access to comprehensive primary behavioral and mental health care services. This must include, but is not limited to: screening and assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans, therapeutic services including access to medication prescribing and management, crisis care including 24-hour call access, consultative services, care coordination, and case management. If all services are not provided on site, the site must be formally affiliated with a community based site that does provide the service.

As a part of this update, all non-auto approved NHSC sites using a Mental Health HPSA score will be required to recertify in Fall 2016. The NHSC will review your site to determine if it meets these new requirements. Your site will have until Fall of 2017 to meet them.

DHCFP Telehealth Policy Legislative Update

The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) expanded its telehealth policy to all provider types for all services that can appropriately be delivered via telehealth, creating parity between in-person and telehealth-delivered services. The passage of AB 292 called for Nevada to expand telehealth services, addressing a serious need for access to care for Nevadans.
Read the complete article at the following link.
A Guide to Continuation Contracts For NHSC Participants
 
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) providers can get up to $50,000 in loan repayment in return for working at an approved NHSC site for two years. Additionally, after they complete their two years, they have the opportunity to apply for continuation loan repayment funding.
 
If you are a participant coming to the end of your contract and wish to know when you should apply for continuation funding, use the following chart:
If your NHSC Loan Repayment Program service commitment will be complete between... Apply for your NHSC Loan Repayment Program Continuation Contract between ...
July 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016 February 9, 2016 - March 10, 2016
September 1, 2016 - September 29, 2016 May 10, 2016 - June 9, 2016
 
You will need to apply online using your portal account. If you miss your window of opportunity to apply for NHSC continuation funding, you will need to re-compete (average 6,000+ applicants) for a brand new award, and if selected, begin a new two year service obligation.
Updated Health Care Careers in Nevada Guide Available for Download

The 2016-2017 edition of Health Care Careers in Nevada contains current information on over 70 health care occupations in Nevada, including an overview of job requirements, employment outlook, and average salary data in Nevada for each occupation. The guide also provides a detailed inventory of educational certificates and degree programs in Nevada for each health occupation, as well as information on state boards responsible for licensing health professionals in Nevada.


Link to PDF Version of Manual