Monthly News & Updates | May 2025

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🩸 It's High Blood Pressure Education Month––

Evidence-Based Lifestyle Change Health Programs Work!

CTC-RI recognizes May as High Blood Pressure Education Month and supports efforts to reduce hypertension, which affects one in three adults in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Department of Health's Healthy Heart Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program is a free, evidence-based resource helping Rhode Islanders manage high blood pressure through self-monitoring and nutrition support. The program is offered through several local organizations, including the Community Health Network––a one stop shop, for evidence-based lifestyle change health programs, with many impactful resources for primary care patients.

Enhancing Knowledge, Confidence, and Comfort Working with LGBTQ+ Youth 🏳️‍🌈

CTC-RI kicked off a new initiative to help primary care practices build knowledge, confidence, and comfort in providing affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth through a year-long learning collaborative.

Now Enrolling ☑️ ECHO® Series on Strengthening Families

Next month, CTC-RI, alongside RIDOH and UnitedHealthcare, will launch a 12-month ECHO® learning series focused on the DULCE model to support families from the prenatal period through early childhood, focused on addressing legal and social needs, and promoting infant mental health and family well-being. CME/CEUs and a $250 stipend are available.

Join Us for June's Clinical Strategy Meeting

Please join us for our June Clinical Strategy Committee, where we will be joined by Chris Koller, President of the Milbank Memorial Fund and former RI Health Insurance Commissioner, to discuss the present and future of Primary Care Transformation on the national stage and its implications for our region. To attend, email Mitch Irving (mirving@ctc-ri.org).

Ten Practices to Advance Demographic Data Use in Primary Care Quality Improvement

Ten primary care practices have been selected to participate in CTC-RI's 2025 "Implementing Improvements in Collection and Use of Patient Demographic Data in Primary Care Quality Improvement Initiative.” Funded by UnitedHealthcare, this initiative advances collection and use of patient demographic data to improve clinical outcomes and address health disparities. 

Your hub for recent CTC-RI programs, learning sessions, and highlights!

Find recaps and links to presentations, resources, and recordings from our most recent work.

Click here to catch up on missed content or revisit a session.

📄 OHIC Releases New Report: Health Care Spending and Quality in Rhode Island

The new report augments 2023 spending and quality data, examines the impacts of rising health care costs on Rhode Islanders, presents cost and quality performance by insurer and large provider entity, analyzes care migration for inpatient and outpatient services, and includes recommendations to accelerate multi-payer investment in primary care and improve transparency into hospital and health system finances.

‼️ Important Update: Changes to CHW Medicaid Billing Effective May 19 

EOHHS has announced changes to Community Health Worker Medicaid billing effective May 19. These changes include removal of standing orders, discontinuation of collateral services and service limits of 2 hours per day. All CHW services must be individually authorized by a Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) who has direct knowledge of the beneficiary’s needs.

📢 Gov. McKee Announces Actions to Strengthen Rhode Island’s Primary Care System

Joined by members of his Health Care System Planning Cabinet, Governor McKee announced a series of short- and long-term strategic actions to strengthen Rhode Island’s primary care system.

⚧️ Register Now: 2025 RI Trans Health Conference – Community Track

Help spread the word and register for the 2025 RI Trans Health Conference on May 31, a space for providers to explore identity, build affirming environments, and strengthen advocacy for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

Stay informed on key learnings, collaborative meetings, and peer exchanges!

Explore our upcoming meetings and opportunities calendar.