May 28 , 2019
  WVPCA Weekly Outlook Newsletter
    A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
 

We offer this publication as a member service of the West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA).

If you have questions regarding our organization, WVPCA membership, or if you have content to suggest for this newsletter, please contact Kelsey Clough, Education and Communications Coordinator, by email or by phone at (304) 346-0032.

Sincerely,

West Virginia Primary Care Association
1700 MacCorkle Avenue
Charleston, WV 25314-1518
304-346-0032
1-877-WVA-HLTH

News 
Flash!

Justice Department reaches agreement with W.Va. over Americans with Disabilities Act violations
Read the entire article from WV Public Broadcasting  here

Addict: "Suboxone saved my life"
Read the entire article from Public News Service here

HIV cases rising in West Virginia County 
Read the entire article from the US News and World Report  here

FamilyCare Health Centers celebrates 30 years of caring
Read the entire release  from FamilyCare  here
WVPCA NewsWVPCA
WVPCA Hosts Successful 2-Day Billing, Coding and Documentation Strategies Workshop 

On May 20 the WVPCA welcomed over 60 Community Health Center (CHC) staff to attend a two-day Billing, Coding and Documentation Strategies workshop at the Holiday Inn and Suites in South Charleston. During the workshop,   Shellie Sulzberger, LPN, CPC, ICDCT-CM, Co-founder of Coding & Compliance Initiatives, discussed a variety of topics ranging from FQHC billing responsibilities and qualified providers and covered services to West Virginia Medicaid and an overview of coding for preventive, chronic and transitional care. Participants also took part in a learning lab on the second day of the workshop. 
2017 NCQA/PCMH Standards Webinar Series and Office Hours 
The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA), in conjunction with Comagine Health, is pleased to offer a nine-session webinar series: 2017 NCQA/PCMH Standards.  This webinar series is separated into two sections, traditional instructional webinars and open-forum office hours on the following dates:
  •        Thursday, June 13
  •        Thursday, June 20
  •        Thursday, June 27  (Office Hours)
  •        Thursday, July 11      
  •        Thursday, July 25
  •        Thursday, August 1 (Office Hours)   
  •        Thursday, August 8   
  •        Thursday, August 22             
  •        Thursday, August 29 (Office Hours)
 
This series will begin at 1:00 PM and will conclude at 2:15 PM. Registration is available here.
Join the WVPCA for the Strengthening Care Teams to Enhance SUD Outcomes Workshop June 11
The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA)  is pleased to offer a one-day workshop focused on strengthening care teams to enhance SUD outcomes. During this meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from subject matter experts regarding the continuum of care from the diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder to recovery and beyond. 
 
This workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Stonewall Resort (940 Resort Drive). Registration is available here.This workshop is intended for Community Health Center (CHC) Providers, BH clinicians and Care Team members.
Reminder - Register Open for the Annual KidStrong Conference - with Special SBH Track
Registration is open for the West Virginia Department of Education's (WVDE) 16th annual KidStrong Conference. The conference is scheduled for June 13-14 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. 
John Kennedy, School-Based/Behavioral Health Coordinator with the WVPCA, in conjunction with the WVDE and Marshall University,  has developed a seven-session School-Based Health Center track. Additional information and registration is available here.
State NewsState
WVPBRN Conference
The 6
th Annual West Virginia Practice-Based Research Network (WVPBRN) Retreat was held May 16-17, at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV. This year's retreat was larger than ever before, and the attendees came from various organizations including FQHCs, rural health centers, academic institutions, the WV Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH), and the Primary Care Association (WVPCA).  The event kicked off with a networking dinner cruise around Stonewall Jackson State Park.

Conference events began early Friday morning with an overview of the WVPBRN's continued growth over the past six years. This was followed by presentations about new projects and initiatives within the WVPBRN, including a current survey of attitudes amongst West Virginia women about harm reduction programs, as well as a research network being created to study various aspects of substance use disorder. Jessica Wright of the WVBPH described current chronic disease prevention efforts in West Virginia.

Following a poster session featuring WVPBRN research projects, there was a panel discussion about the opioid crisis and treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).  This year's panel was facilitated by Dr. David Baltierra of the WVU School of Medicine. The panelists were Lois Vance of Cabin Creek Health Systems, Sherri Ferrell of the WVPCA, Rachel Merino of Valley Health Systems, and Dr. Judith Feinberg of WVU School of Medicine. Panelists discussed currently existing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs and their successes and challenges, expanding MAT to more organizations, stigma related to treatment of OUD, and opportunities for research related to OUD.   

The WVPBRN staff would like to thank all those who attended the Retreat and look forward to continuing collaboration with partners across the state to address the health issues facing our communities.
Shatterproof Rating System for Addiction Treatment Programs Webinar Available
 Join a webinar to review and become familiar with the Treatment Program Survey to be used in the Rating System pilot

West Virginia is participating in a pilot project to develop and implement a  Rating System for Addiction Treatment Programs. As part of this, Shatterproof, the non-profit partnering with WV's Department of Health and Human Resources to implement the project, is hosting regular 'provider roundtables' for all of the West Virginia treatment programs within the pilot's scope.
 
The May 2019 provider roundtable will focus on the Rating System Treatment Program Survey , which will be fielded in August and open until the end of October.
 
Webinar Information:
When: Thursday, May 30, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Register for the webinar here.
 
The webinar will be run as a moderated discussion to 'feasibility test' the measures recommended for inclusion in the Treatment Program Survey, seeking your feedback on their implementation.
 
In preparation for attending this webinar, please review the attached document, which includes:
  • An overview of the May Roundtable and the discussion questions that will be the focus of the webinar.
  • Shatterproof Rating System Treatment Program Survey - The current version of the Survey, to be fielded in August 2019, which will be reviewed at the Roundtable.
There is more information on the Rating System on the Shatterproof website, including a provider information page and answers to FAQs.
 
Contact Caroline Davidson at cdavidson@shatterproof.org for all questions related to the webinar. For all other questions or suggestions, please contact Shatterproof's WV State Engagement Manager, Rebecka Rosenquist at rrosenquist@shatterproof.org.
BBH AFA Announcements
The West Virginia  Bureau for Behavioral Health  has released the following announcements of funding availability (AFAs):
The documents required for response to these AFAs  can be found  here.

 KEY DATES
AFA 5-2019 SA Harm Reduction
Technical Assistance Call or Informational Meeting: To be posted on BPH website
Application Deadline:   June 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Funding Announcement(s) to be made: Details to follow
Funding Amount Available: $750,000

AFA 6-2019 SA Quick Response Team (QRT)
Technical Assistance Call or Informational Meeting: To be posted on BBH website
Application Deadline:   June 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Funding Announcement(s) to be made: Details to follow
Funding Amount Available: $1,000,000

 
For technical assistance request, please include the AFA# in the subject line and forward inquiries via email to:  DHHRBBHAnnouncements@wv.gov
Opioid Use and Hepatitis C: Opportunities to Address West Virginia's Public Health Need
Join Harm Reduction Coalition and other community partners on Wednesday, June 5 for an engaging discussion to identify how state and federal policymakers, the private sector, public health advocates and community leaders can and must work together to address this growing public health crisis in our community. The training is presented by HepConnect, an initiative of Gilead Sciences.
 
Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place|  Two Waterfront Pl, Morgantown, WV 26501
Wednesday, June 5 |  Doors open at 10:30 am
Please RSVP here.
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Waiver Training 
Hosted by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Marshall Health, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University, this course covers all medications and treatments for opioid use disorder, and provides the required education needed to obtain the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. ASAM is an approved provider by CSAT/SAMHSA of DATA 2000 training. 

The first session is will be on  Friday, June 7, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 pm at the  WV School of Osteopathic Medicine in the Student Center-Conference Room ( 400 N Lee Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901). 

Click here for additional information and to register. 
Funding OpportunitiesFunding
Funding Opportunity Reminders
USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

Application Deadline: June 3, 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make awards ranging from $35,000 to $125,000 for projects that meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution and community outreach, and that promote local access to farm-produced food. Eligible applicants are public food program service providers, tribal organizations, and private nonprofit entities, including those that collect or harvest surplus food.
 
For more information, click  here.

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion (RCORP-MAT Expansion)

Application Deadline: June 10, 2019
HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will be making approximately 11 awards of up to $725,000 each to eligible rural health clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, health center look-alikes, other small rural hospitals and tribal organizations to establish and/or expand medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in high-risk rural communities over a three-year period of performance.
 
For more information, click here.
National NewsNational
Service Area Considerations Request for Information Available for Preview
HRSA is pleased to announce the release of the Health Center Program Service Area Considerations Request for Information (RFI). HRSA seeks input from the public on service area considerations that may inform HRSA decisions regarding Health Center Program expansion through an existing health center's addition of new service delivery sites.

The Service Area RFI announcement will begin with a 30-day preview period. Instructions on how external stakeholders may submit feedback are forthcoming. Following the preview period, HRSA will accept public feedback for 60 days and plans to announce those details in a future Primary Health Care Digest newsletter. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
Community Health Center ResourcesResources

By Justin M. Harrison, Esq.
 
This month's Legal Minute with Jackson Kelly PLLC provides a general review of the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA").
 
The FMLA was adopted in 1993 and it is probably the least burdensome requirement for employers, at least in terms of the basic rules regarding eligibility and entitlement. FQHCs with 50 or more employees must provide 12 weeks of qualifying leave to any employee who has worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding leave. Generally, employees are entitled to take FMLA leave for the birth or placement of a child, to care for a close family member with a serious health condition, for the employee's own serious health condition, or for certain situations involving a close family member serving in the military on activity duty. Most FMLA situations involve leave in large blocks of time (e.g., two weeks of leave, one month of leave, etc.). The most difficult aspect of FMLA is managing intermittent leave. In some situations, employees may be eligible to take FMLA on an intermittent basis, and employers often struggle to manage these situations because they are susceptible to abuse by employees.
 
FQHCs that are covered employers under the FMLA must post a notice explaining rights and responsibilities under the FMLA, and information regarding the FMLA must be included in employee handbooks or otherwise distributed to employees. When an employee requests FMLA leave, FQHCs are required to acknowledge the request and provide additional notice to the employee regarding his or her eligibility, as well as his or her rights. Some employers assume that by simply providing 12 weeks of leave that they are complying with the FMLA, but there are situations (i.e., lawsuits), where the U.S. Department of Labor will challenge an employer's failure to follow the posting and notice requirements. In some circumstances, the failure to provide proper posting and notice requirements can be used against the employer to provide employees with additional leave or reinstatement.
 
Employers are entitled to request medical certification when an employee requests FMLA leave due to his or own serious health condition or a covered family member's serious health condition. Additionally, an employer may require second or third medical opinions (at the employer's expense), as well as periodic recertification. The medical certification is intended to allow employers to ascertain whether a serious health condition exists. The FMLA defines a serious health condition as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. Importantly, not every physical or mental ailment will qualify as a serious health condition. For example, minor conditions such as the common cold, headaches, the flu, upset stomach, and cosmetic procedures do not qualify as serious health conditions.
 
When employees return from FMLA leave, they are entitled to be restored to their original job or to a job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. During FMLA leave, FQHCs are required to maintain group health insurance coverage for an employee, but the employee can be required to pay for their share of health insurance premiums.
 
The FMLA allows FQHCs some flexibility in determining whether to allow employees to use their paid time off in combination with FMLA leave. This is referred to as running FMLA leave concurrently, and most employers choose to follow this approach to minimize the stacking of various leave benefits. Employers can run FMLA concurrently with any form of paid time off, as well as workers' compensation leave; however, employers are prohibited from requiring - and employees are prohibited from electing - substitution of accrued leave while an employee is receiving wage replacement benefits through workers' compensation or temporary disability insurance. Employers who choose to run FMLA concurrently with other forms of leave are required to provide notice of this through their FMLA postings and individual notices to employees who request FMLA leave.
 
What happens when an employee exhausts their entitlement to FMLA leave? If the employee is receiving temporary total disability benefits through workers' compensation, West Virginia law essentially requires you to maintain the status quo. If the employee's absence is not related to workers' compensation, and you haven't received any communication from the employee, give them a call and inquire about their intentions to return to work. If the employee needs more time due to their own serious health condition, you may have a disability accommodation issue that needs to be evaluated under state and federal law, which we'll address in the next installment of the Legal Minute.
***
Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer at Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA. Justin can be reached at (304) 340-1358, and you can follow him on Twitter @wvhrlawyer.
Jackson Kelly PLLC
 
The WVPCA has retained the law firm of Jackson Kelly, PLLC to provide legal guidance to the WV Primary Care Association and its members.
 
Jackson Kelly attorneys provide limited consultation to all members of the WVPCA at no charge, as part of the WVPCA contract. There is no limit to the number of calls which any member may make. All inquiries within the scope of professional competence of firm attorneys will be addressed. Inquiries which require expertise not available through the firm will be promptly identified and, when requested, Jackson Kelly will assist in referring the matter to accounting firms, insurance agents, or others as circumstances warrant.
 
All inquiries, responses and consultation services provided by the firm lawyers will be provided without additional charge beyond the retainer amount, except for matters which require formal opinions, representation of record in litigation, transactional work, e.g. the purchase or sale of real property, or matters which require continued representation, research or consultation beyond a single inquiry or document review.

Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA.  Justin can be reached at 304.340.1358 and via email at justin.harrison@jacksonkelly.com.
Risk Management Manual for Health Centers Now Available!
 
The Risk Management Manual for Health Centers is now available on the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website! Designed to support a proactive approach to risk management at health centers and free clinics, the Manual provides background, tips, and how-tos in a manageable format.

Specific areas that are covered include:
  • Risk Management Program
  • Role of the Risk Manager
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Credentialing and Privileging
  • Communication with Patients
  • Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations
  • Patient Grievances and Complaints
  • Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
  • Claims and Lawsuits
  • And more!
View an archived webinar that provides a guided tour of the Manual and key features. For access to the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website or any other questions, email clinical_rm_program@ecri.org.
ECRI Institute 
 
The  ECRI Institute  offers numerous policy templates that can be used as guidance consistent with the needs of community health centers. To take a look at their library of policy templates, click  here .

If you are not an ECRI member, creating a free account before accessing these materials is required. ECRI Institute resources are provided for free on behalf of HRSA.

To Access Policies: 
  • From the main page, click on the clinical risk management link on the left hand side of the page
  • Click sample policies and tools listed under tool-kits on left side of page
Click on the + sign to access individual templates.
WVPCA Staff

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
Data Services & Integration  Speci alist

Jennifer Boy d,
PA-C, PCMH-CCE Clinical Consultant
Education & Communications Coordinator

 
Health Data Analyst
J ohn Kennedy, MA
School-Based/Behavioral Health Coordinator

Member Relations Coordinator
Shannon Parker,  
MBA, PCMH-CCE 
Director of Health Center Operations

Special Programs Coordinator
Amanda West
Staff Accountant
Clinical Quality Improvement Coordinator
To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter, click HERE
West Virginia Primary Care Association
  1700 MacCorkle Ave. Charleston, WV 25314| (304) 346-0032 | WWW.WVPCA.ORG
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