Friday, October 29, 2021
Friday, October 22, 2021
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is domestic violence awareness month. This month was first instated as domestic violence awareness month in 1989. It is important to spread awareness of domestic violence and educate everyone on this topic in hopes to aid in its eventual elimination.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as "...the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, economic, and emotional/psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically."
Here is a domestic violence awareness month toolkit from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence for 2021.
OACHC hosted "Project Catalyst Domestic Violence Health Center Training" in July of this year. Be sure to check out our blog post covering the event as well as the additional handouts included in the training blog. In addition, be sure to check out OACHC's webpage on Project Catalyst here.
Here are some key points that our staff at OACHC would like to highlight:
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9
men have experienced severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime,
including physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking.
- The CUES
Intervention (Confidentiality, Universal Education
and Empowerment, and Support) helps to educate all patients
on the health risks of intimate partner violence. OACHC has developed an example workflow for health centers to model and standardize universal
education outreach to patients.
- Survivors of domestic
violence are eligible for Special
Enrollment of Medicaid
- Be sure to use this toolkit to implement
confidentiality policies protecting patients and staff who have survived
violence, to provide universal education on the health risks of DV, and to
refer patients who need support to DV advocates.
It is important this month as well as every month to help spread awareness about domestic violence. Please see the additional attachments below for more resources on this topic.
Additional Attachments
Friday, October 15, 2021
October is Mental Health Awareness Month
Every October is Mental Health Awareness Month. An important part of Mental Health Awareness is workplace mental health. According to Mental Health America, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of mental illness among adults was on the rise. In 2017-2018, 19% of adults experienced a mental illness, an increase of 1.5 million people over last year’s dataset. According to Harvard Business Review, almost 60% of employees have never spoken to anyone at work about their mental health status. Mental Health conversations are becoming more normalized in the workplace and spreading awareness will help eliminate the mental health stigma.
According to this CDC Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace Information Toolkit, Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect employee:
• Job performance and productivity.
• Engagement with one’s work.
• Communication with coworkers.
• Physical capability and daily functioning
Here is a link filled with resources for employees that help normalizes the mental health conversation in the workplace. If you would like spread awareness via social media, here is a link to graphics to post on your platform!
See below for the mental health information we put in our 2021 October ENews:
Mental Health Awareness Week (First week of October)- Started in 1990 by The United States Congress and observed the first week of every October, this week is dedicated to spreading awareness and education on mental illness. Mental health is a huge part of overall health and should be a priority for everyone, whether you have a mental health condition or not. 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. With numbers like these, it is imperative that we continue to spread awareness & to let each person know of the help available.
World Mental Health Day (October 10)- Since 1992, World Mental Health Day is a day celebrated in over 150 countries worldwide to educate, advocate against stigma, and bring awareness of mental health education and available resources for help in communities. Many online events and resources are available, including the This Is My Brave Virtual Live Stream with poetry, music, storytelling, and more from people living with mental health conditions or who have been affected by a loved one’s mental health condition.
Please be sure to check out the additional information listed below to continue your awareness on mental health.
Additional Information
- Mental Illness Awareness Week Information by NAMI
- World Mental Health Day Information by WOH
- It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work
- Free Mental Health Awareness Summit
- Free Webinar: Creating a Mental Health Strategy
- Working Adults: Care for yourself one small way each day
- Clinicians: Care for yourself one small way each day
- Warning signs of Mental Illness
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Health Literacy Needs to be Heard
Health Literacy is an important issue nation wide. Here is an interactive Health Literacy Data map that allows you to view health literacy scores all over the United States.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Healthy Aging Month
September is recognized as healthy aging month. This is meant to encourage seniors to continue to age in a healthy and safe way while still engaging in activities for their mental and physical well being.
1. Spend time with those who make you feel good! Find the time to surround yourself with those who lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.
2. Practice or continue practicing meditation. Meditation can bring a sense of peace and calm to seniors. It can also be done in time spent with yourself, when lack of mobility is common in older adults. Watch this video for more information on the benefits of meditation in older adults.
3. Keep your mind sharp with mental exercises! These can include puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and more! Find some free online crosswords here!
4. Interact with the younger generation! Find those who could benefit from wise advice and reminisce on memories with others. Story telling has been around since the beginning of man kind and can serve as entertainment, education, cultural preservation, or instilling morals.
Additional Resources:
Fun with Seniors: 100 ways to play
Friday, September 17, 2021
2021 *Virtual* Fall Conference Preparation!
Attendees will still be able to choose between many different sessions, interact with state-wide counterparts, play an in app engaging scavenger hunt, and learn from some innovative companies! The conference will feature two keynote sessions and breakout session covering FQHC topics including; finance, clinical, behavioral health, finance, workforce, operations and more!
•Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHC) and Look-A-Likes.
•Those interesting in becoming a FQHC or FQHC Look-A-like.
•Anyone who wants to learn more about, and get ahead in, the world of FQHC care
Registered attendees can find the agenda for the conference here.
If you are already registered for our conference, you will be able to access our OACHC app here.
You can find all of the details of our event here. We cannot wait to *see* you there! Please reach out to events@ohiochc.org with any questions!
Friday, September 10, 2021
September is National Recovery Month
September is a time where we recognize national recovery month for the past 32 years. Recovery is for everyone, every person, and every family. An individual can recover from many different addictions. September is a month that we celebrate recovery of all kinds.
Those suffering with addiction need support. This guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can be used to talk to a loved one who you believe has a drinking problem.
Check out our Substance Use Disorder page on Ohiochc.org for more information from OACHC on this subject.
At times, choosing the right provider can seem overwhelming. Substance Abuses and Mental Heath Services Administration has released this guide to aid in this search. You can also find web banner and logos on this page to display on your own social media accounts to help spread the word this month. If you are unsure of stigmatizing words and imageries to avoid, visit this page for guidance.
One way to prevent addition is to openly talk with your children about the implications of addiction. You can use this guide to find great ways to go about discussing this with your family and to be sure you are prepared.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
How to use OACHC site for Networking
After you sign in at the top right hand corner of the ohiochc.org , you will be redirected to your profile page:
The best way to interact online is to first build your personal profile. This should be done so that those you are trying to connect with know who you are. To make the most of your profile, you can go to "My Profile" in red to update your profile.
Use the tabs highlighted below to complete your profile:
After your profile is completed, you can make posts on our feed using Social Link to inform members of who you are, current health news you would like to share, openings at health centers, or other various topics. You can also add photos to your posts! Just click "My Feed", underlined in red below, and at the top of the page you will be able to make a post!
In order to make networking easier, our site also has "Groups" that our members can join. When selecting "Groups" at the top menu, you can see our available groups that you can "Join Group", or "Request Invite" shown underlined in red below. Also note that Suggested Groups are listed on the right hand side.
Once you have access to your groups, you can use various features to interact with other group members, post photos, and more! See below for all Group Features.
In addition, feel free to explore the other options you have at the top menu to find out all of the ways you can take advantage of networking on OACHC website with your profile!
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Finding Focus in the Face of Uncertainty: An FQHC Guide to Navigating the Ever-Changing 340B Landscape
2020 was a challenging year for the healthcare industry, particularly Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). As frontline healthcare providers serving some of the nation’s most vulnerable patient populations, the COVID-19 pandemic required FQHCs to do more than ever with limited financial resources. 340B savings became even more critical for Section 330 grantees and FQHC Look-Alikes, even as the 340B program itself faced growing scrutiny and pressure that has continued into 2021.
As we approach the back half of 2021, the 340B program continues to face more changes—from potential federal and state legislative actions, to the future unknown outcomes of several court cases and additional industry initiatives.
The more 340B changes, the more it stays the same
Though the future of the 340B program is in flux, one constant is the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) focus on 340B compliance, as it continues to audit nearly 200 covered entities each year. HRSA has adapted its audits to the pandemic environment—offering two remote options—but the stakes of these audits remain high. Findings can lead to repayment obligations or, in the most severe cases, loss of 340B eligibility.
Here’s a look at some of the most common HRSA findings, along with some best practices to help your entity avoid these errors:
1. Duplicate discounts—HRSA issued fewer findings of potential Medicaid fee-for-service duplicate discounts in 2020, however, inaccurate Medicaid Exclusion File findings were flat to slightly up. HRSA recently deployed new tools to the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPAIS) to allow more granular listing of Medicaid practices and billing numbers. 340B covered entities will want to ensure that they list all Medicaid information correctly across their various service settings.
2. Price diversion— HRSA audit findings regarding the use of 340B medications for patients that don’t meet the 340B patient definition have declined steeply over the past few years. This is encouraging and suggests improved compliance, but it may also reflect altered enforcement standards.
3. Incorrect OPAIS record—While also down year-over-year, this finding remained relatively common. 340B covered entities should regularly validate the accuracy of all information to the OPAIS, particularly if there have been recent changes in names, addresses, primary contacts, etc. are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cardinal Health. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
What to expect from HRSA
While the overall trend toward fewer findings is positive for 340B covered entities, we’ve seen signs of increasing focus from HRSA’s 340B auditors, including details of staff credentialing/relationships to covered entity, confirmation that the content of the 340B Policy and Procedure manual is being followed in practice, paper prescriptions filled at contract pharmacies and NDC matching between dispense and purchase in replenishment inventory models.
340B covered entities may be also advised to watch for changes with a new presidential administration. Early executive orders and statements from Biden administration appointees point to the strong possibility of another shift in 340B oversight standards; one that puts more weight behind enforcement of agency guidance and not just the statutory language.
Safeguard your 340B program
To succeed in this shifting landscape, 340B covered entities should remain focused on compliance, explore alternative operating models, and work closely with a range of partners to remain informed about what is happening with the program at all levels.
Unsure where to start? Cardinal Health can help. Our 340B consultation program offers a range of 340B consulting services, from program analysis and implementation support, to mock audits and more. For more information on Cardinal Health™ 340B consulting services, click here.
Learn how custom Cardinal Health™ Community Health Center Pharmacy Services improve care, expand services, and maximize resources here.
© 2021 Cardinal Health. All Rights Reserved. CARDINAL HEALTH, the Cardinal Health LOGO and ESSENTIAL TO CARE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cardinal Health. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Family Fun in the Sun
August is National Family Fun month! Summer is slowly winding down and this is the time to look back and be sure you made some great memories with your family. Back to School season is right around the corner, and now is the time to find some quality time for an extra activity for the whole family to enjoy. Family fun can be had anytime and anywhere!
Here are a few simple ways to have a fun family night indoors:
- Family movie night with snacks
- Cook and enjoy a Family Meal together
- Stream a live event together
- Build a fort
- Family story time
If you are looking for a family fun activity that takes you out of the house:
- Visit your local public library
- Take a walk at a local park
- Go camping
- Have a picnic
- Fly kites
Regardless of what activities you do with your family this month, it is important to remember that the time you spend together is what means the most!
31 Ideas to Celebrate Family Fun Month
Fun & Free Family Fun Resources
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Children's Eye Health will not be Overlooked this August
August is children's eye health awareness month. Eye health is an important factor to the overall health and wellness of a child. Children should have their vision checked at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Since children may not have access to the vocabulary to describe poor vision, this makes these check ups a necessary part in proper development of social, emotional, and physical well being.
Proper eye protection can help to prevent any eye related injury. Please use this resource from health.gov to discover which eye protection you should use while doing various different activities.
John Hopkins provided a list 8 of potential warning signs that your child may have issues with vision:
- Disinterest in distant objects
- Squinting
- Head Titling
- Holding Objects very close to eyes
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Sensitivity to light
- Poor hand-eye Coordination
- Disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects
Consult with your doctor if your child shows any signs of vision problems. Please use this resource to find an eye doctor for your child today. Questions about cost and coverage of an eye visit can be found here.
Additional Resources
- Child friendly eye information video series
- Children's Diagram of the Eye
- Pintables about Eye Health
- PreventBlindness.org Children's Vision Report
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Who to Call at Paramount
Who to Call at Paramount
The team at Paramount Advantage Medicaid stands ready to answer your questions and provide the information you need to care for your patients – and our members! Here are a few of the things that we would be happy to help you with:
· Credentialing
New provider applications
Re-credentialing questions
· Member Services
All member questions and grievances
Primary care provider change requests
Interpreter services
· Provider Inquiry
Member benefits and eligibility
Claim status inquiries
Claim processing issues
Referral and authorization verification
· Provider Relations
Provider and office staff education
Contract issues
Orientations and webinars
New product participation requests
Representative office visit requests
· Utilization and Case Management
Obtaining in-plan and out-of-plan prior authorizations
Case and care management
Behavioral health out-of-plan requests
General clinical inquiries
· Pharmacy
Obtaining drug prior authorizations
For an easy reference that includes important Paramount Medicaid phone and fax numbers, download Who to Call at Paramount.
Friday, July 30, 2021
Get Ready for National Health Center Week 2021!
National Health Center week is about a week away, it is celebrated this year from August 8- August 14. We are excited to share some of the highlights of the action packed week all about how much we appreciate our FQHCs.
Before we start talking about National Health Center Week, feel free to read this fact sheet to be sure you are fully informed about health centers, their purpose, and their impact!
The theme for this year's National Health Center Week is:
The Chemistry of Strong Communities!
This graphic highlights the importance of many elements coming together to help a Community Health Center be successful! If you love this theme, you can purchase merchandise if you desire.
There are many different events held during NHCW all across our state. You can access the full list of those Ohio events here.
NHCW is all about showing our appreciation for our Health Center workers. You can celebrate at home with this self care tool kit that provides guided ways to care for yourself!
Advocacy is a key part in the success of our FQHCs. Please visit this page to find out how you can show your support by building your civic engagement capacity!
For more information and to learn about OACHC's scholarship program visit: https://www.ohiochc.org/page/nhcw
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
How to Access CEU's on Your ohiochc.org Member Profile
In an effort to better inform our members, we are providing a step-by-step guide for how to access your CEU's (Continuing Education Units) in an OACHC member profile. Please reference back to this blog post as needed.
First step: Sign in at the top, right hand side of the page on https://www.ohiochc.org/
After you are signed in, select "My Profile"
Once you are in your member profile, in the upper right hand corner, select "Welcome, (YOUR NAME)". From the drop down menu, select "Account + Settings"- shown in highlight below.
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Be Sun Smart
Invest in Your Assets with Sunscreen!
While we are in the midst of the dog days of summer, we would like to remind you to apply your sunscreen! July is UV awareness month. Don't forget to apply (and re-apply) sunscreen if you are going to be outdoors or near windows. Sunscreen and effective sun protection habits can protect you from painful burns in the short-term and skin cancers (the most common type of cancer in the U.S) in the long-term. UV Rays effect more than just the skin, here is a break down of what parts of your body are most affected and what you can do to prevent this:
Head: Sun hats, baseball caps, or scarves
Eyes: Sun glasses or other forms of eye protection
Skin: Sunscreen, SPF clothing, or umbrellas
Provided below is a helpful infographic on a guide to proper sunscreen usage:
By taking the proper precautions, you can still enjoy the summer heat with family and friends. If you are having any problems after being in the sun, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Friday, July 9, 2021
Moving the Needle: Push is on to Get Vaccine to Medicaid Members
Getting the Vaccine to Medicaid Members
Marketing Communications
Paramount Advantage
Recently, Gov. Mike DeWine laid down the challenge to all of Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Plans: Get more Medicaid members vaccinated. The gap between the vaccination rate of the general public and that of Medicaid recipients as of May 24 was unacceptable: 45% of Ohioans overall vs. just 24% of Medicaid members.
Providers offering on-the-spot vaccinations to patients who are in their offices for other reasons is very effective, but we heard from you that many providers can’t meet the necessary patient volume and also use valuable office space to observe the patients for 15 minutes as CDC guidelines dictate. It also is a challenge to adjust providers’ workflows to administer the vaccines. Our solution: Through Aug. 15, we’ll pay providers $100 per vaccination instead of the standard $38.
A working group consisting of representatives from Aetna, Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Molina Healthcare, Paramount Advantage and UnitedHealthcare meets regularly to iron out the details and logistics of this and other expanded vaccination efforts.
Of course, we couldn’t be successful without the work of our health care partners: the physicians who are altering their operations to offer those shots; the nurses who are staffing the many public vaccination events we’re planning; and the pharmacists who are making their stores another vaccination opportunity.
All of us in health care have important roles to play in spreading the vaccine and stopping the virus. We’re proud to harness the creativity and commitment of the health plans to meeting this unique challenge.
Friday, July 2, 2021
Never Fool Around with Fireworks!
July is National Fireworks Safety Month
- Firework- Related Injuries and Deaths Spiked During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Fireworks Eye Injury Safety Quiz
- Firework Safety Video from CPSC
- National Fire Protection Association Fireworks Safety Tips
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Who to Call at Paramount
Who to Call at
Paramount
The team at Paramount Advantage Medicaid stands ready to
answer your questions and provide the information you need to care for your
patients – and our members! Here are a few of the things that we would be happy
to help you with:
· Credentialing
New provider applications
Re-credentialing questions
· Member Services
All member questions and grievances
Primary care provider change requests
Interpreter services
· Provider Inquiry
Member benefits and eligibility
Claim status inquiries
Claim processing issues
Referral and authorization verification
· Provider Relations
Provider and office staff education
Contract issues
Orientations and webinars
New product participation requests
Representative office visit requests
· Utilization and Case Management
Obtaining in-plan and out-of-plan prior authorizations
Case and care management
Behavioral health out-of-plan requests
General clinical inquiries
· Pharmacy
Obtaining drug prior authorizations
For an easy reference that includes important Paramount Medicaid phone and fax numbers, download Who to Call at Paramount.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
What you need to know about Paramount’s new electronic claims system
- There are no changes to your clearinghouse for electronic claims submission.
- Each Paramount Advantage Medicaid member has be assigned a new 11-digit member identification number. It starts with a number 1, such as 12345678901.
- Members will receive new cards with their new numbers over the next few weeks.
- The old ID numbers, which started with the letter A, are still active and can be used if you do not have the new ID.
- You can find a member’s new number on their ID card, the Explanation of Payment generated by the new system, or the provider portal.
- As part of this launch, the Paramount provider portal is under construction. It should be fully functional later this month. In the meantime, use this document to help you find the information that you need.
- For more information about the new electronic claims system, please visit our provider page on paramounhealthcare.com. Here, you’ll find a recorded presentation from a webinar that Paramount hosted as well as FAQs.