Thursday, December 20, 2018

Happy Holidays!

Over the course of December, many holidays will be celebrated. In addition to many celebrations of fun national days like National Cookie Day, Brownie Day and Cupcake Day we also celebrate traditions that have been happening for generations. 


This year, Hannukah began on December 4th and ended on December 10th. Hannukah is an 8-day celebration in which a candle is added the menorah after sundown. The ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the others. Learn more about Hannukah here!

Lots of people like to celebrate Winter Solstice, which is the changing of the seasons and happens on December 21st. It is also the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. The solstice is important as is only happens twice a year including June. In many cultures, the solstice holds important meanings

Festivus is celebrated on December 23rd. This celebration was made popular by an episode of Seinfeld in the 90s but has been celebrated for many many years prior. This is a holiday that is considered an alternative to others to help those escape the pressures of the over commercialized holiday season. One activity that takes place is the "airing of grievances." 

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. It is an ancient holiday that tons of people partake in, in many different ways. People like to spend time with family and friends as well as exchanging gifts.

December 26th is the start of Kwanzaa. This holiday is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. Kwanzaa honors it's seven principles which are Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. 

Lastly is New Year's Eve on December 31st! This day is meant for reminiscing on the past years' events and bringing in the new year! Break out the pots and pans and let's make some resolutions for 2019!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

S.A.D.

Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD is a type of depression that is related to the changes in the seasons. Most people with SAD tend to develop symptoms in the fall and they continue onward until the end of winter. This can be due to multiple factors including a lack of sunlight, colder temperatures and reduced activity due to the aforementioned. 

Symptoms of people that have SAD may start out mild but then gradually increase. These can include:

  • loss of interest in activities
  • having low energy
  • having trouble sleeping
  • inability to concentrate
  • appetite changes
  • anxiety
Is it important to know when you or someone around you is being affected by SAD and to take the necessary steps to get help. Self-care is highly important, particularly around this time of the year. SAD can be treated in several ways. 







Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Produce Connect at PrimaryOne Health®

As Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” PrimaryOne Health (P1H), in partnership with Mid-Ohio Foodbank, did just that in a produce prescription initiative called Produce Connect. Produce Connect allows PrimaryOne Health to screen patients for diabetes, weight loss, and other health factors as well as food insecurity. In order to address food access as a social determinant of health, patients are connected to healthy food options through Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s Partner Agency pantries. These pantries are considered “Choice Pantries” as patients are able to choose culturally appropriate foods in quantities that fit their households. Patients were tracked through the Foodbank’s proprietary software, PantryTrak, to record the number of visits and demographic information on the household per Feeding America and state regulated standards. Identified patients were given a key card, very similar to a Kroger Plus or Giant Eagle Rewards card that, on one side scanned their information into the PantryTrak system, but on the reverse, allow them discounts via P1H’s 340B program, as these patients often overlap.

First initiated in 2011, with food boxes being picked up onsite, this program began to grow with grant funds from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Starting at one health center site and partnering with three pantries in 2015, has now grown to be offered at all ten of P1H’s health centers with a list of 12 pantry locations. With approximately 40% of P1H patients screening as food insecure, nearly 10,000 unique patients have come through the program with a fill rate of 41%. Diabetic patients tended to visit either less than twice in one year or went to the pantry on average of 13+ times a year. These patients saw a more than 1% decrease in their A1c numbers. Weight loss patients saw decreases in weight coinciding with increased pantry visits, 0-2 visits saw .2 pounds lost, 3-12 visits saw 5.8 pounds lost, and 12 or more visits saw 11 pounds lost.

This work clearly shows that when our patients know better, AND have access to services, they do better. In thinking of patients as an iceberg, what is treated is what is seen above the water, but what lies beneath, are the conditions in the environments in which they are born, live, work, play, and worship that affect their health, functioning, quality of life and risks, which account for over 80% of overall health outcomes. PrimaryOne Health in partnership with Mid-Ohio Foodbank is doing a small part to help patients get the services that they need to lead holistically healthy lives.

Post submitted by:
Yolanda Owens | Associate Director of Marketing & Development
PrimaryOne Health

Thursday, November 15, 2018

It's Thanksgiving time!

Thanksgiving is a great time to gather with friends and family to reflect on the year and what everyone is thankful for. It is also a great time to try out new recipes and to spend some quality time with those you really enjoy. 


On Thanksgiving day, many Americans will consume nearly 4,500 calories on dinner! This is more than double the daily recommended amount of 1,600 to 2,000 for most people. It can be hard to not want to try at least a little bit of everything, so a few suggestions would be:

  • smaller portions
  • don't skip breakfast or lunch
  • eat slowly
  • stay active
  • pick lighter options
Staying active on Thanksgiving can be a struggle. Turkey contains tryptophan which automatically makes us all very sleepy. Before loading up on turkey try unloading on an activity. Lots of organizations hold food drives or serve food on Thanksgiving Day. Not only that, but there are activities for people who want to get their heart rate up too! If you just want to stay in the whole day, nothing wrong with that! Try out a game of flag football or Frisbee to burn off those extra calories!

Whatever you do to celebrate the holiday, have fun!


Healthy recipes
Fun things to do on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Facts

Monday, November 12, 2018

Welcome Greenway Health, OACHC’s new Corporate Partner


Special pricing on EHR solutions for OACHC members 



Supporting OACHC members with solutions to help your communities thrive

Please join us in welcoming Greenway Health as a new Corporate Partner of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC).

The shift to value-based care is challenging for many CHCs operating on small budgets and dealing with extensive reporting requirements from funding sources. That’s why Greenway Health, a leading health information technology and services provider, is dedicated to helping CHC organizations like yours provide quality, affordable care in underserved communities — and doing so while thriving in today’s value-based care environment.

Greenway demonstrates its commitment to the CHC market across the country by providing community health centers with the solutions and services they need to help communities be healthy.

  • They are proud to partner with more than 100 practices throughout Ohio.
  • They provide clinical resources customized for community healthcare.
  • Their administrative tools coordinate care, calculate fees, and capture required reporting data.
  • They offer revenue cycle management (RCM) services to help you manage billing complexities.

Since 43 of Ohio’s CHCs were recently awarded a total of $13 million from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to combat the opioid crisis, they’d like to share a video. It tells the story of a practice at the heart of the epidemic that partnered with Greenway to help them focus more on serving their patients and helping them relieve the opioid crisis in their community.

If you have questions about how Greenway can help your CHC organization manage the move to value-based care, Troy Walls and Greg Murchison — Greenway’s public health support team on the ground in the Buckeye State — are here to help.



Troy Walls 
Sales executive
Troy.Walls@greenwayhealth.com
330-607-6417 mobile









Greg Murchison
Public health sales executive
Greg.Murchison@greenwayhealth.com
205-908-6371 mobile








They look forward to continuing to work with you to provide the care your communities deserve.

As a Corporate Partner of OACHC, Greenway offers special pricing on integrated EHR and practice management solutions to members.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Diabetes Information

Diabetes is a disease the body encounters problems with when producing the hormone insulin. Normally, the pancreas is able to release insulin to help your body store and use the sugar and fat from the food you eat. Diabetes can occur when the pancreas produces little to no insulin, or when the body does not respond to insulin.

This disease can affect people from all walks of life. Over 30 million people in the US live with diabetes however 1 in 4 of them do not know that they have it. More than 84 million adults in the US have pre-diabetes too! People who are most at risk for getting diabetes are those who are:

  • overweight
  • 45 years old or older
  • have a family member with type 2 diabetes
  • someone who is not active at least 3 times a week
Diabetes is not a life sentence! It is both manageable and preventative. By making simple changes in your diet, increasing your exercise regime, drinking more water, and quitting smoking you can lessen the likelihood of getting diabetes. If you already have Type 2 diabetes, you can manage it by taking similar actions as you would to prevent diabetes. Keeping a healthy diet and being active will keep your blood sugar under control. Be sure to do lots of self checks too to make sure your blood sugar is staying at a normal level both before and after meals. 

For more information on how to manage Type 2 Diabetes, visit:

For general information on Diabetes, check out: 

To learn about Diabetes Awareness Month (happening now!), go to:

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Great American Smokeout - Stop Smoking for good

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States

The Great American Smokeout happens every year on November 17th and is promoted by the American Cancer Society. Did you know that smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths every year, which is about 1 in 5 deaths. Not only that, but more than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease. Many Americans that still smoke come from all walks of life but it is more prevalent in specific groups of people due to different circumstances. It is important that we all come together and support those who want to quit smoking for good. Long term affects from smoking are:

  • constant coughing (smokers cough) 
  • heart disease
  • high cholesterol
  • yellow fingers & fingernails
  • loss of appetite
  • wrinkly skin
  • anxiety & irritability
  • higher risk of lung cancer

Smoking causes more deaths each year than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. This statistic is alarming considering the amount of people in the US who still smoke has significantly gone down over the past few decades. 

If you are ready to quit, there are lots of resources online to assist you! There is even an app you can download too to help you and several phone numbers you can call if you want to talk to someone straight away. For more information on the Great American Smokeout, smoking statistics and information/help on how to quit go to:
Great American Smokeout Information
Tips from Former Smokers
Tobacco Usage Statistics
Smokefree.gov



Friday, October 26, 2018

Don't FALL for it

As the weather has changed so has the season and that means the best season of all is here, FALL!! Chunky boots, hats and scarfs, apple cider and PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE! With all these amazing things to make the chilly weather just a little bit more tolerable, its important to still stay safe especially with outdoor activities! 

Many sports start back up in the fall, such as soccer, football and basketball. With sports come can come injuries or even asthma attacks. Its important to know the signs of an asthma attack and how to handle injuries. If someone has a known case of asthma, know where their inhaler is and stay calm. If they do not have an inhaler and it seems to be a severe asthmatic attack, call 911. You should always know the signs and symptoms of an attack and have a plan of action just in case an incident occurs. 

Bumps and bruises are also part of the game too. If someone falls awkwardly and has a sprain or a break, you should be careful to secure the limb and then get the person to a doctor as soon as possible. Most minor scratches and bruises can be treated with first aid kits. It it appears to be a break or sprain, have a medical professional take a look.

Lastly, knowing the signs of a concussion is also good information to have! Warning signs that a person might need medical attention are:


  • Headache that gets worse and does not go away.
  • Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination.
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea.
  • Slurred speech.
For more information on how to prevent sports related injuries, visit:

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Trick or Treat Safety!

Leaves are falling, the weather is getting chillier and your neighbors will be passing out all sorts of yummy treats soon! 

Did you know that Americans spend nearly $4 billion each year on Halloween candy!?! This alarming amount of money is often times spent on things that are not the healthiest options for children and can possibly leave you with a trip to the dentist instead. If you are looking to still satisfy your little ghouls but still leave them with treats, some healthier options instead of candy include:
  • Raisins
  • Pretzels
  • Juice boxes
  • Mini water bottles 
  • Plain cookies (graham crackers, Teddy Grahams, vanilla wafers, etc.)
  • Baked chips, baked tortilla chips
  • Popcorn
  • Lowfat granola or cereal bars
  • Sugar-free gum
Candy isn't your only threat this Halloween. Choosing the best costume can also leave you with some scary feelings too! When picking out costumes, make sure that they are fire resistant. Also, you want to be sure that your child is able to
see through any masks or hoods they might be wearing. If your child is trick-or-treating out in the dark, double check that they have glow sticks or reflective tape so that oncoming traffic and others can see them. Any make-up you apply shouldn't cause an allergic reaction and it should be non-toxic. 

Lastly, if you are not passing out treats nor are you looking for them with a child, still be on the look-out for those that are. Be sure to keep an eye out for people walking in and around road-ways and be alert of those who may be dressed up since it is Halloween. Stay safe!


Monday, October 15, 2018

Fall Operations Conference Recap!

This year, our Fall Operations Conference was our largest! With nearly 300 attendees, 40 exhibit booths and sponsors and tons of breakout sessions with informative speakers, our event was a huge success!



We added a few new things this year, including new scan-able badges!


There was fun to be had at our reception.


Networking time!


Awards!


And best of all, the the informational sessions!


You can't spell successful without a couple "u's" so a big THANK YOU to everyone who made this Fall Operations Conference amazing! Save the date for our Annual Conference, March 4-6 2019 


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Every October, people worldwide shed a light on Breast Cancer Awareness. Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. At least 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Some facts about
breast cancer include:
  • Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
  • Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
  • Each year it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die.
  • Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 460 will die each year.
  • On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
  • Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
There are some risk factors that come into play with breast cancers, specifically genetic factors. You may be more at risk simply based on your age, race, family history personal health history, early menstruation, and late menopause.
However, there are some avoidable risk factors as well. Improving your physical activity, your diet and lessening your consumption alcohol can lower your risk. 

Once a month, women are encouraged to do self exams. These can be done in the shower, while lying down or in front of the mirror. For guidelines on self exams exams go to  https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam
Women 40 and over should start getting annual mammograms too!

There are lots of events happening throughout the month of October to help spread awareness for Breast Cancer. To learn more about these events and organizations, visit: 

For more information and facts about breast cancer, visit:

Friday, September 21, 2018

2018 Fall Operations Conference, Who's Ready?!

The weather is cooling down, the leaves are changing colors and best of all the FALL OPERATIONS CONFERENCE is in less than ONE WEEK!

This year, we will have 2 amazing keynote sessions! Our opening keynote panel, Steve Buehrer, Kelly Carey, Julie DiRossi-King, and Jennifer Taylor, will feature policy updates from both the State and National levels.




And, our closing keynote speaker, Gary LeRoy MD FAAFP,  will share with us some of the experiences that have challenged him, motivated him, surprised him, and helped shape his personal growth and development. From this, it is hoped that you will be better able to help your own providers successfully experience greater meaning and purpose in your home FQHC.




What should you know before attending the conference?

LOCATION 
Marriott University Area, 3100 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, Ohio US 43202

TRACKS
Finance, Clinical, Outreach, Quality Improvement and Workforce. Check out the full agenda! You can also make your own schedule too!

CONTINUING EDUCATION
OACHC offers 3 types of continuing education for this conference, CME, CPE and Behavioral Health. We can also provide a certificate of attendance for all the session you attended too. In order to receive credit, you must have your badge scanned in the session you attend.  Your CEU credits will be automatically applied once you have been scanned for the session you have attended. At the conclusion of the conference, you can email a transcript to yourself and this will serve as your certificate. 


CONFERENCE APP

Our app can be used a number of ways! You can use download it in your Apple or Android store by just typing in "OACHC." Or, you can visit the app's website at www.ohiochc.org/app 



Interested in exhibiting? Email us at events@ohiochc.org We will add you to our listserv for our upcoming events. For more information, visit our website: www.ohiochc.org/exhibit 






Thursday, September 13, 2018

Welcome Alta Partners!

Introducing our new Corporate Partner!

AltaPartners
Alta Partners provides clients with information needed to operate a more profitable practice. Their attention to physician billing starts before charges are entered into the system to ensure collections are maximized. 

Their team draws on its extensive experience in billing and collections to provide customers with a level of efficient service. They regularly work with multiple industry-standard platforms, including Allscripts PM, Allscripts (Misys) Vision, Sunrise Financial Manager, Meditech, LSS, Thera-Office, Tiger, and Office Practicum, as well as with custom IT configurations.

To learn more, visit www.altapartnersllc.com or contact Stanley Kasmarcak, CPA at sjk@altapartnersllc.com.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Welcome Medline!

Introducing our new Corporate Partner!

Medline is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies uniquely positioned to provide products, education and support across the continuum of care. Their ability to bring best practices from one care setting to another - from large healthcare systems and independent physician practices to home health patients and their families, is what sets us apart.

Their team is made up of clinicians, researchers, engineers, financial experts and 1,200 direct sales representatives with outstanding expertise. They know the healthcare business from the bottom up and top down.

To learn more visit www.medline.com or contact Bobby Brandenstein at rbrandenstein@medline.com.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

Recap of National Health Center Week 2018!



Another Successful National Health Center Week!

National Health Center Week this year was held this past August 12-18th. Throughout the US, there were hundreds of events held and millions of social media impressions. OACHC staff traveled to every corner of the Buckeye State visiting more than 20 unique events throughout the week. For some staff, this was their first time traveling and for others, it was their first time at new sites! 

Many of the events were focused on reaching out to the community and raising health awareness. 




Each day of NHCW had a different focus too. Some of the health centers participated in these focus days and also had their own themes as well. The focus days included, Legislative Appreciation Day, Honoring Health Center Heroes Day, Public Housing Health Centers Day, Healthcare for the Homeless Day, Agricultural Worker Health Day, Patient Appreciation Day, and Children's Health Day. 



There were also events held outside of NHCW that still revolved around celebrating health centers and their patients. To see all of OACHC's National Health Center Week travels throughout Ohio, check out our Facebook and Twitter.  


OHIO 2018 ULTIMATE HEALTH CENTER CHAMPIONS!

Congratulations to our Ultimate Health Center Champions! We appreciate all that you do for your patients and your community. 







THANK YOU UNITEDHEALTHCARE COMMUNITY PLAN!

Thanks to our National Health Center Week Sponsor, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. We appreciate all your support in making NHCW a great week for Ohio!


LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE PICTURE & VIDEO CONTEST

There’s still fun to be had: the submission period for the NACHC National Health Center Week 2018 Picture & Video Contest is open until August 31st. Submit your best pictures and videos as soon as possible. The contest is an excellent mechanism to gain national visibility for your health center and showcase the great events and celebrations hosted during NHCW, and win awesome prizes!



We will see you all in 2019 :)

Friday, August 24, 2018

a picture is worth.....

In 2018 technology can be everything to a company, an organization or even just a grandparent wanting to keep up with their family members across the country. As time passes, more advances get made and more social platforms are created to express whatever emotion is trying to be conveyed to the anticipating audience. With this, have you ever wondered what types of pictures work best for each social platform and in what situation? 


Many social networks have dual uses for both personal and business. Not only this, but there are often times tutorials on how to use these platforms as well. This is a good start for separating which photos go into which. Albeit "totes adorbs," its maybe not appropriate to post pictures of your child covered in macaroni on your business account. (Maybe exception would be if your business is selling macaroni?) There are many organizations that offer both free and paid trainings on how to use social media to boost your company.

Often times websites can fall to the wayside when not properly managed. Information can quickly become out of date, pictures can become irrelevant and passwords quickly expire. There are lots of companies that can build a website for you and manage it too! Many times you can fill in small bits of information and the web developer will do the rest.

So, how does all of this relate to pictures? That depends on what message you are trying to send. Are you simply texting a funny meme to a friend or posting an advertisement for an event on your website? Its always important to know what the reason for a picture is because its worth a thousand words and can last forever. 

Helpful Links:
Firespring.org  = free webinars focused on nonprofits
Hootsuite Academy = free social marketing training
Website builders = a blog post about multiple different website builders and the pros and cons
BeFunky = free photo editor

Friday, August 17, 2018

Back-to-School

As summer comes to an end, adults and children are heading back to school. In 2017, approximately 50 million students were going to start back up public school. Out of those individuals, 35 million would be in pre-k through 8th grade and 15 million would be in high school. Also in 2017, 20 million students were expected to attend colleges and universities!


Having an education in the United States is incredibly valuable. Did you know that 85% of current jobs and 90% of new jobs require some or more college or post-secondary education? Approximately half of the students who start a four year school will receive a bachelor's degree in at least six years. This is why it is not only important to prepare your child for school early, but to also keep them on the right track for their entire student career.

Helping your student make the right choices for their path can be difficult but its important to instill the value of education in them. About 3 million students graduate from high school each year in the US and these individuals go on to be the future workforce of America. If you do not have a student in your household there are other ways you can have an impact on someone. There are lots of kids that would enjoy an opportunity to be mentored and guided into becoming successful in life too!

No matter what your back-to-school plan is, student-teacher-parent-mentor, get ready! School is no longer out for the summer!


Education Facts:
https://nces.ed.gov
https://www.dosomething.org


Mentoring Info:
https://youth.gov
http://www.bbbs.org

Friday, August 10, 2018

National Immunization Awareness Month


Kids are now heading back to school, which means lots of great things! School supply shopping, haircuts and of course immunizations. National Immunization Awareness Month is held in August every year to showcase the importance of vaccinations for everyone. It is important to raise awareness for preventing disease in our communities in order to have healthy and happy people.

Did you know that children are required to get vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles and rubella, the 
chickenpox vaccination prior of starting school? Some states also require the hepatitis B vaccination and flu. Its important to be aware of what your child needs and to be up-to-date. Many of these vaccinations your child may have received as an infant. You can get these records from your pediatrician. 

There are lots places you can get vaccines, including community health centers! If you are unsure of where you can get a vaccine, www.vaccines.gov has a widget that you can simply type your zip code into and find clinic near you! Using this widget, you can even narrow down which location offers what vaccines you actually need.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Left-Handed but always right!



Children tend to show signs of handedness around 18 months old. However, in the womb, babies show a hand preference by moving one arm more than the other. By the eighth week of pregnancy, genes in the baby’s spinal cord already show the beginning of right-left preference. 

Did you know that only 10% of the world is left-handed? Despite this, 6 out of the last 12 presidents have been left handed. According to a study, people that have a dominant left hand, are better at coming up with fresh ideas from current information. Left-handers are also considered to be creative thinkers, good at multitasking, and are more likely to be a twin! Left-handed people are often referred to as "southpaws" particularly in sports. Historically, they lived in danger of being accused of witchcraft! This was due to the lack of supplies being made for those who are left-handed and that most people tended to favor their right-hand.

August 13th is International Left-Handers Day!! The day is meant to celebrate left-handers uniqueness and differences around the world! Learn more about the famous lefties in the world and some facts you may not have known!


Left Handed Facts

Baby Left-Handers

www.lefthandersday.com/

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Policy Blog


As you have likely seen in the headlines, there has been a spotlight on pharmacy issues. An area of focus for your OACHC Policy Team, we have been working on / monitoring the following pieces of legislation which are currently pending before the Ohio Legislature for consideration:


1. Senate Bill 265

SB 265 authorizes commercial health plan issuers to pay or reimburse pharmacists for all health services that a pharmacist is legally authorized to provide and that are covered by the health benefit plan. As introduced, this bill only applies to the commercial market, and OACHC is working very closely with the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and the bill’s sponsor, Senator Matt Dolan, to also see it applied to Medicaid. The bill has received three hearings to date in the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee. Click here for more information from OACHC.

2. Senate Bill 229

SB 229 modifies laws pertaining to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy (OBP) and the regulation of controlled substances. OACHC worked with Senator John Eklund and the OBP to amend this legislation and exempt Federally Qualified Health Centers, Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes from the Pharmacy Board's licensure of office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) facilities. A special thank you to Senator Eklund and the OPB! SB 229 passed out of the Senate on June 27 and is pending action in the House.

3. House Bill 465

HB 465 removes the Ohio Medicaid Pharmacy benefit from the Medicaid Managed Care umbrella and returns it back to the fee-for-service system. Please see overview from OPA on HB 465 here. While there are definite pros and cons to this proposal, one significant concern is effectively the loss of the ability to use 340B in the Medicaid Managed Care arena if indeed the pharmacy benefit was returned to FFS. OACHC has been working with the bill’s sponsor on a 340B amendment that would allow its continued utilization for 340B covered entities, including FQHCs and Look-Alikes. The bill thus far has received one hearing in the House Health Committee. Stay tuned!

4. House Bill 479



The Ohio Pharmacists Association reports, “HB 479, dubbed the ‘Prescription Drug Co-Pay Integrity Act,’ will prohibit the practice of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) requiring pharmacists to charge patients an amount greater than the pharmacy's cash price for a particular prescription drug…The legislation would prohibit "gag clauses" that some PBMs place in pharmacy contracts that penalize pharmacists for disclosing a complete picture of the financials of a patient's prescription drug transaction.” HB 479 was voted out of the House on June 27 and is pending action in the Senate.

If you have thoughts, feedback, questions or concerns on any of the above pieces of legislation and how they will impact your ability to deliver comprehensive care (including pharmacy services), please contact OACHC’s Julie DiRossi-King at jdirossi@ohiochc.org. For updates on all things policy/advocacy related, be sure you are signed up to be a Health Center Advocate for pertinent state and federal updates!

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Digital Prevention Program for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Offers More Flexible Participation

In choosing a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) individuals can select one of four delivery methods based on personal preference, and availability. Recognized DPP organizations may offer the program through any or all of the following delivery methods. While there is flexibility in the method of delivery, all programs, regardless of method, must still meet recognition standards, and are required to submit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a single application for each delivery method being used.


·       In-person. Yearlong lifestyle change program delivered 100% in-person for all participants by trained Lifestyle Coaches. Participants are physically present in a classroom or classroom-like setting. Lifestyle Coaches may supplement in-person sessions with handouts, emails, or reminder texts; although none of these may be the sole method of participant communication.

·       Online. Yearlong lifestyle change program delivered 100% online for all participants. Participants log into course sessions via a computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone and may participate in the program in either a group or one-on-one format. Online programs still require interaction with a Lifestyle Coach, similar to the in-person DPP model. Communication with the coach takes place at various times and through various communication methods (e.g., text, email, instant message, etc.).  

·       Distance Learning. Yearlong lifestyle change program delivered 100% by trained Lifestyle Coaches via remote classroom or telehealth where the Lifestyle Coach is present in one location and participants are calling in or video-conferencing.

·       Combination. Yearlong lifestyle change program delivered as a combination of any of the previously defined delivery modes for all participants by trained Lifestyle Coaches.

Enrolling and retaining participants in the traditional in-person DPP can be challenging due to barriers such as time commitment, transportation, and child care. However, offering the DPP digitally, either online or distance learning, can still provide group connections and interactions, but eliminate some of the aforementioned barriers. Providing the program digitally and allowing patients to connect remotely is another way for patients to benefit from the DPP, and achieve lifestyle modification and weight loss. Digital versions of the DPP are excellent options for those who live far away from DPP locations or who prefer the anonymity and convenience of doing the program online.
Some online DPPs utilize digital technology that can be embedded into a patient’s online profile which they use to interact with their Lifestyle Coach. For example, patients participating in Omada’s online program receive a welcome packet with a wireless scale that will transmit participant weight data and graph it for the program duration. The site also features “healthy competition” to help motivate patients and make them feel accountable to the group they are participating with online. Participants also receive additional tools to track their progress, such as a digital pedometer, to help keep them motivated to reach their goals.
It is important that patients have a choice to participate in the type of DPP that best suits their needs if options are available to them. There are many national providers of the DPP online program which can be found on the CDC website. Some providers listed are recognized by the CDC but only available to select participants, such as employers.


  • You can review all of the National Providers here

  • You can read more about the CDC DPP recognition standards and operating procedures here