Category: Health Care

2022 HRSA, OPA 340B Program Recertification

Date: August 17, 2022

The 2022 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B Program Recertification period for hospitals will be August 24-September 19, 2022. There will be a recertification webinar given by OPA on August 22, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST. Please see the webinar information below.

 Zoom Webinar link

Audio Conference details:

Computer audio is recommended (make sure computer speakers are “on”).

Attendees should click the above and select ‘Join with Computer Audio’. 

Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information below:

Dial-in Toll-Free #: 833-568-8864

Meeting ID: 160 623 3075 

Passcode:  54811118     

Prior to being able to recertify, Authorizing Officials(AOs) and Primary Contacts(PCs) must set up a user account in the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS). Failure to set up user accounts will result in not being able to view accounts or conduct recertification, thus removal from the 340B Program. AOs and PCs must create individual user accounts, they will not be able to share access. All active 340B ID’s associated with an AOs user account must be updated in order for recertification to be completed by the established deadline

For assistance with the 340B OPAIS, it is strongly encourage to utilize the online help that is available for your convenience. HRSA also has information and tutorials available on the website. For further assistance please contact the 340B call center operated by the 340B Prime Vendor Program at apexusanswers@340bpvp.com or 1-888-340-2787 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST).

NHSC Site Recertification is Now Open

Date: August 16, 2022

NHSC Site Recertification is Now Open

As a valued partner of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), the Health Resources and Services Administration wants to inform you that your site must recertify in order to extend your NHSC-approved site status beyond this calendar year. Start the process early — the deadline is Tuesday, October 11 at 11:59 PM ET.

As an NHSC-approved site, your clinicians can apply for one of the NHSC Loan Repayment Programs. You can also tap into recruitment benefits, including the Health Workforce Connector and HRSA Virtual Job Fairs.

How to submit your recertification application:

  1. Read the NHSC Site Reference Guide, which details site requirements and the recertification process.
  2. Access the Customer Service Portal.
  3. Enter your program information, including your site type and services provided.
  4. Gather your required documents, including sliding fee discount program policy, data tables, behavioral health checklist (if needed), and more. 
  1. Review and certify your compliance with the the NHSC Site Agreement. 

Note: Submitting a recertification application does not guarantee NHSC site approval.

Need help?

Having problems logging into the Customer Service Portal? Contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-221-9393, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET (excluding federal holidays).

USDA Recognizes Exemplary Peer Support for Breastfeeding Mothers

Date: August 4, 2022

USDA recognizes exemplary peer support for breastfeeding mothers
2 WIC local agencies honored as model programs

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded two (2) WIC local agencies with the 2022 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding WIC mothers. The two agencies are: Clay County Public Health Center and Dunklin County Health Department. These awards were part of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated August 1-7.

Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to both babies and mothers, as well as many benefits to society as a whole, including decreased healthcare costs and increased productivity. While breastfeeding is natural, there is a learning curve for moms and babies, and all mothers benefit from having a supportive environment in which to learn how to feed their babies. Many mothers find success in breastfeeding through education and support from breastfeeding peer counselors and lactation consultants, and providing these resources to mothers is a crucial part of Missouri’s Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

“WIC serves millions of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and their young children,” said Cheryl Kennedy, Food and Nutrition Service Regional Administrator. “We recognize the hard work and effort that occurs at the State and local levels to provide this important benefit to all WIC participants, and the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence celebrates local agencies that provide exemplary breastfeeding programs and support services.”

“The Missouri WIC program fully supports all mothers who would like to breastfeed,” said Lisa Schlientz, State Breastfeeding Coordinator with Missouri DHSS WIC and Nutrition Services. “We are proud of the extra efforts made by these two agencies to provide a full range of breastfeeding services to WIC participants who choose breastfeeding to provide a healthy start for their baby. This support empowers our Missouri moms and enables them to be successful.”

WIC agencies that have operated a peer counseling program for at least one year and meet all of the required core components of the WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling, including recruiting and hiring from WIC’s target population, and being available to WIC clients outside usual clinic hours, are eligible to apply for the award.

The award program was established to recognize WIC local agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. Awards highlight successful models and encourage other local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities and ultimately increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants. Awards are given at three levels of performance: Gold, Gold Premiere, and Gold Elite. Agencies are awarded for a four year period. With the addition of these 2 agencies, there are currently 21 local agencies that are awarded in Missouri.

The WIC Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, resources on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. Missourians interested in learning about the benefits of WIC may visit wic.mo.gov or call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 to find the WIC local agency in their county.

Updated Resources from Rural Health Value

Date: July 28, 2022

The Rural Health Value team recently released two updated resources:

Related resources on the Rural Health Value website:

One-page summaries describe rural-relevant, value-based programs currently or recently implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), primarily by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and its Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI).

This tool helps a rural healthcare organization assess readiness for the shift of payments from volume to value. The resulting report may be used to guide the development of action plans.

 Contact information:

Clint MacKinney, MD, MS, Co-Principal Investigator, clint-mackinney@uiowa.edu

Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge

Date: July 26, 2022

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge is a national competition with a total of $1 million in cash prizes to encourage innovation through technical assistance to health centers. Participants will accelerate the development of low-cost, scalable solutions to help health centers improve patient access to primary care and strengthen the link between health care and social services. Phase 1 submissions are due August 2, 2022.

The competition is open to broad public participation, including individuals, groups, health care organizations, and other entities. Visit Challenge.gov for more information, including submission requirements, eligibility, prize amounts, and a recording of the informational webinar.  

Submit your solution today!

2022 Vulnerability Assessment Stakeholder Meetings – Newly Added Dates

Date: July 20, 2022

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has been granted Overdose Data to Action funding to update the Missouri Opioid Overdose and Bloodborne Infection Vulnerability Assessments. These assessments were last published in 2020 and identified counties at highest risk for 1) opioid overdoses and 2) bloodborne infections (i.e., HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B) associated with nonsterile drug injection. The overall purpose of the assessments is to raise awareness of areas more impacted by these health conditions and allow stakeholders to use the findings to better target services that will reduce risk of overdoses and risk of bloodborne infection spread through nonsterile drug injection.

In order to gain community-level feedback on the 2022 update and gather suggestions for possible future updates, DHSS is holding stakeholder meetings in each of Missouri’s six HIV Care Regions. DHSS is partnering with the Disaster and Community Crisis Center at the University of Missouri to facilitate the meetings.

Due to the need to gather very specific feedback on the assessments (rather than comments on the opioid epidemic in general) in a relatively short amount of time and due to the need for social distancing, a limited number of stakeholders will be accepted to each meeting. Registration is required and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Lunch will be provided at the meetings. DHSS will take additional steps to gather feedback from a broader audience in the future.

For more information on the overall Overdose Data to Action funding, view the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Overdose Data to Action.

The 2020 Missouri Opioid Overdose and Bloodborne Infection Vulnerability Assessments and related materials are available on the Department of Health and Senior Services web page.

Use the links below to register for currently scheduled meetings.

St. Louis, MO (St. Louis County Library – Thornhill Branch) – Tuesday August 9, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Registration Link

Cape Girardeau, MO (Cape Girardeau Public Library) – Wednesday August 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Registration Link

Springfield, MO – Date to be determined

Columbia, MO – Date to be determined

2022 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Challenge

Date: July 13, 2022

The Hypertension Control Challenge is now accepting applications! The challenge identifies and spotlights health care professionals, practices, and systems that have achieved nationally laudable hypertension control rates.

You and your team are encouraged to join this stellar group of high performers by submitting your application for the 2022 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Challenge. The Challenge is open to solo and group practices, in addition to health systems, that have achieved hypertension control rates of at least 80% for a 12-month period. The deadline to apply is September 7, 2022.

In other news, the National Association of Community Health Centers has sent out the SMBP At-A-Glance Comparison Tool. If you have a SMBP or Healthy Heart Ambassador – Blood Pressure Self-Management program, this is a nice reference tool to take a quick look at device features as well as data/technology features.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Now Available

July 11, 2022

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) officially launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022.

Available 24/7, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support, resources, and referrals from professional counselors to pregnant and postpartum individuals facing mental health challenges. Counselors offer support in English and Spanish and interpreter services are available in 60 additional languages.

In a press release announcing the hotline, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “This new Maternal Mental Health Hotline will not only advance our priorities of tackling the nation’s mental health crisis, but also support our efforts to ensure healthy pregnancies and support new parents.”

HRSA provides promotional materials for use, including social media graphics, printable wallet cards, and  newsletter copy. These materials are also available in Spanish.

If you have any questions about the hotline service please see the online Frequently Asked Questions, also available in Spanish, or contact hotline@postpartum.net. This email address should not be distributed to help-seekers.  It will not connect anyone to the 24/7 hotline service. It is for informational questions only.

For help when it’s needed, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). TTY Users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.

Monthly Infection Control and Prevention Webinar Series

Date: July 6, 2022

Monthly Infection Control and Prevention Webinar Series: What you need to know to keep you, your patients and community safe

Date: July 14, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CT

Title: Recommendations for Change in Infection Prevention: What you need to know

Presenter: Taylor Nelson, DO, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, MU Health Care, Columbia

Register Today!

If you have registered for a previous webinar in this series, you do not need to register again.