October 7, 2021 What's New HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians. In June of this year, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched an effort to improve access to substance use disorder treatment by paying for clinicians who are cleared to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Rural Health Clinics still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment for each clinician who trained to obtain the waiver necessary to prescribe buprenorphine after January 1, 2019. Approximately $1.5 million in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Send questions to Data2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov. There is ongoing availability of a free online course for waiver eligibility training from the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System. CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – Comment by November 26. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeks information on best practices and promising practices for the positive mental health and well-being of health workers. The feedback will be used to inform interventions under development by the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. CDC's COVIDVaxView: A Data Dashboard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an interactive tool for exploring data on COVID-19 vaccination coverage, uptake, and intention by a variety of different factors, including urban, suburban, and rural location. The data supplement the CDC's COVID Data Tracker. GAO on FCC Efforts to Map Broadband Scarcity. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was tasked with collecting data on the availability of broadband services across the U.S. For this report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) interviewed stakeholders at the state and local levels to find challenges for the FCC, which include conflicting and missing data. COVID-19 Resources New COVID-19 Provider Funding Application Portal Open through October 26. As of September 29, health care providers can apply for $25.5 billion in provider relief funds. The package includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for those who serve rural patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for a broad range of providers experiencing changes in operating revenues and expenses. Providers may apply for both programs with a single application, and applications must be completed and submitted by October 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. HRSA will host the next technical assistance webinar next Wednesday, October 13. See the Learning Events section below for details. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Resources for COVID-19. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders. Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Distribution (RHCVD) Program. Under the program, Medicare-certified RHCs will receive direct COVID-19 vaccines in addition to their normal jurisdictions' weekly allocation. Contact RHCVaxDistribution@hrsa.gov for more information. Online Resource for Licensure of Health Professionals. As telehealth usage increased during the pandemic, FORHP funded new work with the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards to reduce the burden of multi-state licensure. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing in each state for psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists assistants, and social workers. HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will provide claims reimbursement at the national Medicare rate for eligible health care providers administering vaccines to underinsured individuals. Round 1 Provider Relief Fund Reporting – Grace Period for Submitting Until November 30. Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients who received funds prior to June 30, 2020, should have completed reports by September 30. Resources on the Reporting and Auditing web page will help PRF recipients comply with reporting. Last month, HHS announced a grace period to support those facing natural disasters and the Delta variant surge. While the September 30 deadline for reporting has not changed, recoupment or other enforcement actions will not be initiated during the grace period, lasting October 1 – November 30, 2021. We Can Do This: COVID-19 Public Education Campaign. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced a national effort to help community partners promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence. The campaign includes educational materials targeted to specific audiences, including rural communities, and seeks volunteers for the COVID-19 Community Corps. Don't miss the Spanish-language website, JuntosSíPodemos.HHS.gov. The Ad Council's Rural Resource Toolkit for Vaccinations [pdf]. The toolkit includes simple message elements for talking about vaccines and public service announcements that can be customized with your organization's logo and used in print, online, on the radio, or on television. Customizable COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Rural Communities. Easy access to customizable communication templates that include print ads, poster, brochure, social media posts, and an online resource guide. HHS Facts About COVID Care for the Uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) helps uninsured individuals find no-cost COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines. The HRSA Uninsured Program provides claims reimbursement to health care providers generally at Medicare rates for testing, treating, and administering vaccines to uninsured individuals, including undocumented immigrants. There are at-a-glance fact sheets for providers and for patients in English and Spanish. HHS Coronavirus Data Hub. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) website includes estimated and reported hospital capacity by state, with numbers updated daily. Volunteer to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has expanded its definition of persons authorized to give the vaccine. These include, among others, current and retired traditional and non-traditional health care professionals, and students in health care programs. CDC COVID-19 Updates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including a section specific to rural health care, COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination. New: Southern Border Toolkit for State and Local Partners. COVID-19 Data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The site provides access to demographic and economic data, including state and local data on at-risk populations, poverty, health insurance coverage, and employment. GHPC's Collection of Rural Health Strategies for COVID-19. The FORHP-supported Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) provides reports, guidance, and innovative strategies gleaned from their technical assistance and peer learning sessions with FORHP grantees. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties. The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis provides up-to-date data on rural and urban confirmed cases throughout the United States. An animated map shows the progression of cases from March 26, 2020 to the present. Rural Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019. The Rural Health Information Hub has a compendium of rural-specific activities and guidelines, including Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness, a tool with resources for responding to a local surge in cases. NIH Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a collection of online resources with information for communities hit hardest by the pandemic, such as African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indian/Alaska Natives. SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created this list of resources, tools, and trainings for behavioral health and recovery providers. ATTC Network COVID-19 Resources for Addictions Treatment. The online catalog of COVID-related resources includes regularly-updated guidance and trainings for professionals in the field. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network was established in 1993 by SAMHSA. HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network. A joint program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is available at no cost to hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients and struggling with access to enough critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialized clinical experts. Teams of critical care clinicians are available to deliver virtual care through telemedicine platforms, such as an app on a mobile device. Hear from participating clinicians and email to learn more and sign up. Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth. ProviderBridge.org was created by the Federation of State Medical Boards through the CARES Act and the FORHP-supported Licensure Portability Program. The site provides up-to-date information on emergency regulation and licensing by state as well as a provider portal to connect volunteer health care professionals to state agencies and health care entities. FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created this temporary program to help eligible individuals and households afford internet service during the pandemic. Eligible households can enroll through an approved broadband service provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner. Funding and Opportunities Combating Opioid Overdose Through Community-Level Intervention – November 1. The University of Baltimore Center for Drug Policy and Enforcement provides awards of up to $350,000 each for evidence-based approaches to reduce and prevent opioid-involved overdose. The funding is intended for regions with the highest rates of fatal and non-fatal overdose. Applicants must have extensive experience in research and analysis and program development. They must also partner with a regional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellows – Letters of Intent November 12. The annual fellowship provides a 12-month residential experience in Washington DC for mid-career health professionals and behavioral and social scientists with an interest in health and healthcare policy. Up to six awards of up to $165,000 each will be made in 2022. HRSA New Geographic Service Areas for HIV/AIDS Early Intervention – December 10. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will invest $5.2 million in an expected 15 awards. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS program funds comprehensive primary health care and services in outpatient settings for low-income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV. Eligible applicants include Rural Health Clinics, community-based organizations, and facilities that can deliver early intervention services to people who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use or are otherwise at high risk of HIV. The Federal initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic, includes seven states where 10% or more of new diagnoses were in rural areas. Rural Health Research Research in this section is provided by the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update 2021. The RUPRI Center's annual report on Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment shows that, as of March 2021, the proportion of metropolitan enrollment (44.6 percent) is higher than that in nonmetropolitan counties (34.6 percent), but the rate of growth in enrollment has been higher in nonmetropolitan counties every year since 2018. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Interim Final Rule "Part 2" Released on Surprise Billing – Comments due December 6. On September 30, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury, along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), released an interim final rule with comment period establishing new protections from surprise billing and excessive cost sharing for consumers receiving health care items/services. Among other topics, HHS is seeking comment on how the required methods for providing a good faith estimate to uninsured (or self-pay) individuals may affect small or rural providers or facilities. The provisions of this interim final rule are generally applicable starting January 1, 2022, unless specified otherwise. Learning Events and Technical Assistance CDC Update for Pediatric Flu Prevention and Treatment – Thursday, October 7 at 2:00 pm ET. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be joined by experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss strategies for the 2021-2021 season. Recovery Center of Excellence Symposium on Behavioral Health Integration – Fridays at 12:00 pm ET through October 8. The annual event is entirely virtual and features nationally and internationally recognized experts in the field of suicide prevention and substance use. Register to attend any or all of the eight presentations (two per day). This event is hosted by the University of Rochester Recovery Center of Excellence, one of three FORHP-funded RCORP-Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders. NIH Improving Rural Through Telehealth – Beginning Tuesday, October 12 – 14 at 11:00 am. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will discuss provider-to-provider telehealth in rural areas. FORHP's Tom Morris will be a featured presenter kicking off the event that will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm over the three days. Telehealth Best Practices Learned from the Pandemic – Tuesdays at 3:00 pm ET, through October 19. The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resources will hold a four-part series with lessons learned from telehealth practices of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Topics include connecting with hard-to-reach populations, staff engagement, and the future of telehealth after the pandemic. Farmer Health Network: Screening for SDOH – Wednesday, October 13 at 2:00 pm ET. The national nonprofit that provides training and technical assistance to Community & Migrant Health Centers will provide an overview of social determinants of health (SDOH) factors that impact vulnerable populations, including migratory and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs), and discuss how to better identify and screen for specific SDOH factors. HRSA Guidance on New COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding – Wednesday, October 13 at 3:00 pm ET. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will host a series of hour-long webinars for rural applicants of Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan funding, featuring guidance on how to navigate the application portal. The next webinar will take place on October 21. NHLBI for COPD Awareness Month – Thursday, October 14 at 1:00 pm ET. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will share resources from the Learn More Breathe Better program that can be used to promote awareness throughout November. HRSA's New Projections for the Health Workforce – Thursday, October 14 at 2:00 pm ET. While HRSA's National Center for Workforce Analysis predicts a shortfall of primary care physicians by 2030, their latest report shows a surplus of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Join experts for more details in this 90-minute webinar. NIHB Public Health Indian Country Capacity Scan – Tuesday, October 19 at 3:00 pm ET. In an hour-long webinar, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) will describe and discuss their two-year project to assess the capacity of Tribal health and Tribal public health organizations. Resources of the Week NARHC Assistance with Federal Programs for COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Distribution, and Provider Relief Fund. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) includes a review of the application process for the new round of COVID-19-related funding in its collection of technical assistance webinars. Critical Access Hospital Telehealth Guide. The National Rural Health Resource Center partnered with The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center to create a CAH Telehealth Guide. The guide provides practical guidance on implementing and sustaining telehealth to optimize health care delivery, expand access, and enhance care coordination. Advance Briefing on New Federal Program for the Rural Public Health Workforce (video). Last week, the Rural Health Information Hub hosted a 40-minute webinar previewing a new grant program from FORHP to be launched later this year. If you're unable to view the recording, RHIhub also provides the transcript (pdf) and slide presentation. Approaching Deadlines Comments Requested: Measuring Quality in Rural Telehealth – October 8 Department of Treasury Capital Magnet Fund for Community Development – October 12 USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grants – October 12 Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Thriving Women Program – October 16 HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant – Imminent Threat Funding – October 18 Department of Commerce/EDA American Rescue Plan Program for Community Development – October 19 HRSA COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding, Phase 4 – October 29 USDA Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants – November 1 Combating Opioid Overdose Through Community-Level Intervention – November 1 AmeriCorps VISTA Requesting Concept Papers – November 3 USDA Small Business Innovation Research, Phase 1 – November 3 National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program – November 4 AmeriCorps State and National Public Health AmeriCorps – November 8 Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellows – Letters of Intent November 12 CDC Seeking Public Input on Work-Related Stress for Health Workers – November 26 Comments Requested: Criteria for Determining Maternity Care Health Professional Target Areas – November 26 End of Grace Period for Round 1 Provider Relief Fund Reporting – November 30 Department of Commerce Pilot Program: Connecting Minority Communities – December 1 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants – December 1 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants – December 1 Comments Requested: Requirements Related to Surprise Billing – December 6 HRSA Physician Assistant Rural Training Program – December 9 HRSA Graduate Psychology Education Program – December 9 RADx-UP Mini-Grant Program for COVID-19 Testing Initiatives – December 10 Department of Labor Stand Down Grants for Veterans Services – December 31 COVID-19 Extension for Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Affiliation Agreement – January 1 NIH Researching Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer in Rural Populations – January 18 Ongoing Opportunities CFPB Rental Assistance Finder HHS/DoD National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network Extended Public Comment Period for FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program FCC Emergency Broadband for Individuals and Households FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program – March 2022 AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants – September 2022 AHRQ Research to Improve Patient Transitions through HIT – December 2022 American Indian Public Health Resource Center Technical Assistance ASA Rural Access to Anesthesia Care Scholarship CDC Direct Assistance to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Agencies CDC Training Pediatric Medical Providers to Recognize ACEs Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program Department of Commerce American Rescue Plan Funding for Indigenous Communities – September 2022 Department of Commerce: Economic Development Assistance Programs Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants DRA Technical Assistance for Delta Region Community Health Systems Development EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund FEMA/SAMHSA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) GPHC & RWJF: Rapid Cycle Research and Evaluation Grants for Cross-Sector Alignment HRSA Payment Program for Buprenorphine-Trained Clinicians – Until Funds Depleted HRSA Technical Assistance for Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Housing Assistance Council: Housing Loans for Low-Income Rural Communities HUD Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program IHS Tribal Forensic Healthcare Training IHS/DOD Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) NARHC Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course NIH Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications NIH Research for AI/AN End-of-Life Care – January 8, 2022 NIH Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health – May 2022 NIH Research – Alcohol and Other Substance Use – Various Dates Through August 2022 NIH Research: Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Outcomes – September 8, 2022 NIH Research on Minority Health/Health Disparities – September 8, 2022 NIH Research on Palliative Care in Home/Community Settings – September 8, 2022 NIH Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health – Various Dates Until September 2023 NIH Researching the Role of Work in Health Disparities – Various Dates Until September 2024 NIH Special Interest Research – Pandemic Impact on Vulnerable Children and Youth – May 2024 Nominations for Federal Advisory Commission on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Nominations for National Advisory Committee on Migrant Health Primary Care Development Corporation Community Investment Loans Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development RWJF Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health RWJF Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals SBA Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Southeast Rural Community Assistance Loans Tribal Grant Writing Training USDA Community Facilities Program USDA Community Food Projects Technical Assistance USDA Drinking Water and Waste Disposal for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Economic Impact Initiative Grants USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Guaranteed Loans for Rural Rental Housing – through 2021 USDA Healthy Food Financing Initiative Technical Assistance USDA Intermediary Relending Program USDA Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Energy Savings Program USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) USDA Summer Food Program USDA Technical Assistance for Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans USDA Funding for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Projects USDOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) | 
Connect with HRSA
No comments:
Post a Comment