Lance's Corner

HRSA Issues Regulatory Update

Jul 18, 2024

The United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has issued an update on its regulatory activities.  You can read the complete HRSA regulatory update, with links to additional resources, below.

banner
July 18, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Launching Initiative to Build Multi-state Social Worker Licensure Compact

ntcs speakers
On Tuesday, July 16, HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm and HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson announced the first-ever Licensure Portability Grant Program investment in a multi-state social worker licensure compact at HRSA’s National Telehealth Conference. State licensure compacts allow states to come together on a common approach to licensing health care providers, allowing providers to practice across state lines without having to apply for a license in each state. Streamlining licensure while maintaining quality standards improves access to services both by better facilitating hiring and by easing pathways to utilizing telehealth.

The announcement was made at HRSA’s National Telehealth Conference, the largest federal conference on telehealth issues.

Read the release.

 

HRSA Announces 2024 Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project Winners

rural health speakerJuly 18 - Today, HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy announced the winners of the 2024 Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project awards at the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program Reverse Site Visit. The winners represent the top ten ranked high-performing states for Critical Access Hospital quality reporting and performance.

The program supports the 45 states participating in the Flex program and Critical Access Hospitals in reporting on quality measures in inpatient patient safety, outpatient care, patient engagement and care transitions to improve quality of care. This years’ awardees have excelled in improving patient outcomes in rural communities.

 

HRSA Awards $3 million to Support Leadership Development, Representation, and Engagement in HIV Programs for People with HIV

group of young adultsOn Wednesday, July 10, HRSA awarded more than $3 million to support leadership development and enhance meaningful engagement for people with HIV in health care planning and programs through HRSA’s CULTIVATE program (Catalyzing Unity, Leadership, and Team-building through Individualized, Validating Approaches to Transformational Empowerment for people with HIV). 
The funding will allow the CULTIVATE program to develop skills and knowledge through peer learning, increasing leadership capacity and engagement for people with HIV. Additionally, it will help prepare them to meaningfully participate in activities that impact HIV systems of care and operations.

 

Register for the 2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment

ryan white conferenceThere’s still time to register to participate in the 2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment (NRWC)! The conference will take place August 20-23, both virtually and in person at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.

The 2024 Conference will feature plenary sessions, select breakout sessions, posters, exhibits, and networking opportunities. Conference attendees typically include direct care providers, program/fiscal administrators, members of planning councils/planning bodies, people with HIV, community members, federal staff, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients, HIV/AIDS Bureau Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. recipients and others involved in HIV care and treatment.

Register to virtually attend the conference. Virtual registration closes on Friday, August 16.

 

HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Recognizes Zero HIV Stigma Day: July 21

ryan white conference thumbnailOn Sunday, July 21, HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will commemorate Zero HIV Stigma Day, which focuses on uniting people, communities, and organizations to raise awareness and take action against HIV stigma.

This year’s theme, “Beyond Labels: Redefining HIV Narratives,” is focused on reshaping perceptions, inspiring empathy, and driving collective action toward ending HIV-related stigma. HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is committed to providing whole-person care, meeting people with HIV where they are, and reducing barriers so people can access HIV testing, care, treatment, and essential support services.

Find a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program medical provider near you.

 

HRSA Funding in the Community

image of a calendar

July

  • Cord Blood Awareness Month
  • Independence Day (4)
  • Zero HIV Stigma Day (21)
  • World Hepatitis Day (28)

 

Funding Opportunities

 


Bureau of Health Workforce

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) - Workforce Expansion Program (WEP) - apply by July 26
Medical Student Education Program - apply by July 26
Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Payment Program - apply by August 8

 

Bureau of Primary Health Care

Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-012) - apply by August 19
Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-013) - apply by August 19
Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-014) - apply by August 27
Service Area Competition – Additional Areas - apply by August 19
New Access Points - apply by August 15

 

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

 

Appalachian Region Healthcare Support Program - apply by July 25
Rural Hospital Stabilization Pilot Program - apply by July 26
Delta Region Maternal Coordination Program - apply by August 2

HIV/AIDS Bureau

 

A System-Level Syndemic Approach to Improve HIV Care and Treatment for People from Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups – Demonstration Systems - apply by July 24
System-Level Syndemic Approach to Improve HIV Care and Treatment for People from Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups – Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP) - apply by July 24
A HIV Clinical Training Tracks in Primary Care Residency Programs (HTR Program) - apply by July 24
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program - apply by October 1

Office of the Administrator

Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program - apply by August 2

View All Funding Opportunities

USDOL Issues Comprehensive Employer Guidance on Long COVID

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued a comprehensive set of resources that can be accessed below for employers on dealing with Long COVID.

Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

The “Supporting Employees with Long COVID” guide from the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) and Job Accommodation Network (JAN) addresses the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, and common workplace supports for different symptoms.  It also explores employers’ responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations and answers frequently asked questions about Long COVID and employment, including inquiries related to telework and leave.

Download the guide

Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID

The Long COVID Accommodation and Compliance webpage from the USDOL-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps employers and employees understand strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID.  Topics include Long COVID in the context of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific accommodation ideas based on limitations or work-related functions, common situations and solutions, and questions to consider when identifying effective accommodations for employees with Long COVID.  Find this and other Long COVID resources from JAN, below:

Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers

The research-to-practice brief “Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities” synthesizes an extensive review of documents, literature and data sources, conducted by the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) on the impact of Long COVID on employment, with a focus on demographic differences.  It also outlines recommended actions organizations can take to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture for people with Long COVID, especially those with disabilities who belong to other historically underserved groups.

Read the brief

Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace

The policy brief “Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace” explores Long COVID’s impact on the workforce and provides examples of policy actions different states are taking to help affected people remain at work or return when ready.  It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as part of its involvement in USDOL’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) initiative.

Download the policy brief

Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

The report “Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” summarizes key themes and takeaways from an ePolicyWorks national online dialogue through which members of the public were invited to share their experiences and insights regarding workplace challenges posed by Long COVID.  The dialogue took place during summer 2022 and was hosted by USDOL and its agencies in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Download the report

Working with Long COVID

The USDOL-published “Working with Long COVID” fact sheet shares strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID, including accommodations for common symptoms and resources for further guidance and assistance with specific situations.

Download the fact sheet

COVID-19: Long-Term Symptoms

This USDOL motion graphic informs workers with Long COVID that they may be entitled to temporary or long-term supports to help them stay on the job or return to work when ready, and shares where they can find related assistance.

Watch the motion graphic

A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure

In the podcast “A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure,” Pam Bingham, senior program manager for Intuit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Tech team, shares her personal experience of navigating Long COVID symptoms at work.  The segment was produced by the USDOL-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) as part of its ongoing “Future of Work” podcast series.

Listen to the podcast

HHS OIG Issues Annual Report on State MFCUs

Per the notice below, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued its annual report on the performance of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs).

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (OEI-09-24-00200) 

Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. OIG is the Federal agency that oversees and annually approves federal funding for MFCUs through a recertification process. This new report analyzed the statistical data on annual case outcomes—such as convictions, civil settlements and judgments, and recoveries—that the 53 MFCUs submitted for Fiscal Year 2023.  New York data is as follows:

Outcomes

  • Investigations1 - 556
  • Indicted/Charged - 9
  • Convictions - 8
  • Civil Settlements/Judgments - 28
  • Recoveries2 - $73,204,518

Resources

  • MFCU Expenditures3 - $55,964,293
  • Staff on Board4 - 257

1Investigations are defined as the total number of open investigations at the end of the fiscal year.

2Recoveries are defined as the amount of money that defendants are required to pay as a result of a settlement, judgment, or prefiling settlement in criminal and civil cases and may not reflect actual collections.  Recoveries may involve cases that include participation by other Federal and State agencies.

3MFCU and Medicaid Expenditures include both State and Federal expenditures.

4Staff on Board is defined as the total number of staff employed by the Unit at the end of the fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

View the Statistical Chart

Engage with the Interactive Map

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Managed Care Service Denials and Appeal Outcomes

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes.  GAO found that federal oversight is limited because it doesn't require states to report on Medicaid managed care service denials or appeal outcomes and there has not been much progress on plans to analyze and make the data publicly available.  To read the GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the first link below.  To read GAO highlights of the report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the second link below.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627.pdf  (GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627_high.pdf  (GAO highlights on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)

CMS Issues Latest Medicare Regulatory Activities Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its latest update on its regulatory activities in the Medicare program.  While dentistry is only minimally connected to the Medicare program, Medicare drives the majority of health care policies and insurance reimbursement policies throughout the country.  Therefore, it always pays to keep a close eye on what CMS is doing in Medicare.  To read the latest CMS update on its regulatory activities in Medicare, use the link below.
https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-14-mlnc