JUNE 2024 | VOLUME 6

HCANHUB

YOUR MONTHLY NEWS FROM HCAN

HCAN Medical Assistant Apprenticeships Next Cohort Begins July 1st!

It’s that time again! HCAN's next cohort of the medical assistant apprenticeship will start on July 1st, 2024. This will be our 7th cohort!

Apprenticeships are work-based programs that help you grow in your career. The MA Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with a preceptor with online self-paced modules to help you achieve your MA certification within 4-6 months. Because this is an apprenticeship, you will be able to complete the skills portion of the training while you are at your job and earning your normal pay. As a Department of Labor requirement, you are guaranteed a pay raise following completion of program and passing of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.

Please send your list of apprentices, including their name, email address, and tenure at your organization to Rachel Heinz (rlh@hcanebraska.org) by Friday, June 14th.

Learn more: https://hcanebraska.org/page/MedicalAssistantApprenticeship

Save the date! HCAN Annual Conference September 19th!

Join Health Center Association of Nebraska (HCAN) and the Heartland Community Health Network for the 2024 Nebraska Community Health Conference: Connecting People, Transforming Health. This in-person networking and educational opportunity will be held on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker in Lincoln, NE.

Additional details coming soon! For more information visit: https://hcanebraska.org/page/2024NECommunityHealthConference

Keynote Speaker Announcement!

Bio: Dr. Kyu ("Q") Rhee is a purpose-driven physician executive, scientist, teacher, and entrepreneur, leading transdisciplinary teams to improve the health system, especially for underserved communities. As CEO of NACHC, he promotes health equity through high-quality, affordable primary care for 30 million people nationwide. Previously, Dr. Rhee held key roles at CVS Health, IBM, HRSA, and NIH, and has extensive teaching experience. He holds degrees from Yale, USC, and Harvard.

National Health Center Week August 4th-10th

Save the date! National Health Center Week (NHCW) is August 4-10th! Every August, National Association of Community Health Centers sponsors NHCW to celebrate & awareness of America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers. Can't wait to share what is happening in Nebraska!

This year's theme is Powering Communities through Caring Connections. For more information on National Health Center Week, please visit: https://healthcenterweek.org

Unlocking the Value of Clinical Documentation in 340B Programs

submitted by RPH Innovations

Clinical documentation is the backbone of healthcare operations, enabling providers and organizations to record crucial health information during patient encounters. Beyond its primary purpose of monitoring symptoms and guiding treatment plans, clinical documentation holds immense significance in optimizing 340B programs. In the intricate landscape of 340B, where entities strive to maintain revenue streams amidst evolving regulations and manufacturer restrictions, leveraging clinical documentation becomes paramount.

Genesis Case and Its Implications:

Late in 2023, a federal district Judge in South Carolina made a significant ruling in the Genesis Healthcare case, challenging the traditional definition of a patient in the 340B program. The decision sparked discussions across the healthcare sector, particularly focusing on expanding the scope of capturable prescriptions under 340B. Genesis argued that any prescription could qualify for 340B if a patient had ever been seen at the Covered Entity (CE). While this interpretation stretches the patient definition, it offers opportunities for entities to enhance their 340B capture rates and bolster savings.

In the wake of the Genesis ruling, entities need to reassess their policies and procedures to align with the evolving landscape of the 340B program. The concept of "Responsibility of Care" has emerged as the new standard for determining eligible claims. Entities must demonstrate their responsibility for the treatment or medication being captured on 340B. This entails documenting awareness of the disease, therapy prescribed by external providers, and a thorough assessment of the plan of care for clinical appropriateness.

To continue reading the article click here.

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Culture, though not seen, holds a lot of power as it directs and shows what a gathering of people value collectively, acceptable behaviors, and customs. Addressing culture can be intimidating because of the efforts it takes to transform it and support excellence in a group or organization. Though it is hard work, it is imperative to take intentional actions to create and sustain a culture you want to see, such as a culture of belonging where everyone feels welcomed, seen, heard, and valued for who they are and the skills and talents they contribute, which is a driving factor for psychological well-being.

A culture of belonging when referred to in terms of the workplace is linked to an increase in job performance, and a drop in turnover, and a reduction in sick days. Cultivating a culture of belonging is important for leaders of various movements whether organizational leaders, leaders of community groups, or any gathering of people working to advance racial and social justice.  

To continue reading the article click here.

The HCAN Hub is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $850,959 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.