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NACHC UPDATE National Association of Community Health Centers Health Choice Network 20th Annual Education Session and Health Care Quality Institute Saturday June 28, 2014. 2011 B iggest Internal C hallenges ???. To integrate with other providers (including other CHCs)
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NACHC UPDATE National Association of Community Health Centers Health Choice Network20th Annual Education Session and Health Care Quality InstituteSaturday June 28, 2014
2011 Biggest Internal Challenges ??? • To integrate with other providers (including other CHCs) • To coordinate patient care to assure sharing of clinical data/information. • To coordinate service delivery and match capacity while linking patients with enabling services. • Re-engineering our health center operations (data and insurance focused) • Workforce (all levels)
2011: Biggest External Challenges ??? External Challenges Greatest Challenges: Appropriations and Medicaid
TODAY’S AGENDA • The Environment for Health Centers • Federal Policy Update: • Medicare PPS • Health Center Transformation • Questions?
THE ENVIRONMENT The Environment in Washington – the BAD • Political Polarization • ACA is as divisive as ever • “Must-pass” bills pass, but not much else • Heightened scrutiny of federal programs • Budget caps and future funding uncertainty
THE ENVIRONMENT The Environment in Washington – the GOOD • Bipartisan support for Health Centers’Program, Model and Mission • Both sides looking for solutionsin the health care arena • Health Centers are at the center of the conversation
HEALTH CENTERS IN A POST-ACA WORLD • Access to primary care is vital for cost savings and improved outcomes (Transformation) • Increased demand, among newly insured and uninsured (MA experience) • Federal support, through 330 grant and Medicaid payment, crucial to model of care • We will have to advocate louder than ever • New funding essential for base grant adjustments, expanded capacity, service expansion, new access points • Since ACA, funding comes two ways:
HEALTH CENTER FUNDING STREAMS – SINCE ACA ENACTED DISCRETIONARY • Annual, up to Congress to determine amount • Prior to ACA, the only funding for CHC program • Cut in 2011, backfilled with mandatory funds • Currently $1.5 billion (FY14) MANDATORY • Required spending, unless Congress changes the law • Special Fund created in ACA to boost Health Center Capacity • Currently 2.2 billion (FY14) • Expires in FY2016 (more on that in a moment)
HEALTH CENTERS FUNDING CLIFF • Mandatory funding expires at the end of FY15 • Without action by Congress, up to 70% cut to Health Center grants • NHSC, THCs in same position (though ALL mandatory)
FIXING THE CLIFF – OUR PLAN • Extends, grows mandatory funding • $20b over 5 years • Grow from current 22m patients to 35m • Continue funding for NHSC, Teaching Health Centers • Message: Act Now!
THE CLIFF – KEY POINTS • This is real. Health Centers have had success in gaining new funding, but even our biggest champions can’t predict the outcome here. • Estimate the impact. What would a 70% cut to your grant mean in your community, to your patients? • Raise the drumbeat for a fix. We have a long fight ahead, but our best hope is the understanding that this is a “must-do”.
ADVOCACY: THE BOTTOM LINE HEALTH CENTERS SUCCESS - OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE - DEPEND ON THE STRENGH OF OUR ADVOCACY. • Local connections are the key to policy change – build relationships and demonstrate impact over time • Advocacy requires ACTION - the key is to develop a sustained culture of advocacy in your center • The challenges and opportunities ahead are huge. Let’s take them on TOGETHER. • Campaign Website: www.saveourchcs.org
Medicare PPS – GAME CHANGER! • Greatest opportunity to mover into Medicare ever! • The PPS base rate for October 1, 2014, through December 31, 2015, is $158.85 (roughly a 35% increase) • Transition to new FQHC PPS begins on the 1stday of cost reporting period on or after 10/1/14 (updated annually) • Increased rates for new patients: can bill for subsequent illness/injury visits and mental health visits on same day • FQHCs must now use “G” Codes and must create appropriate charges for the new codes • Do your charges reflect your real costs?
Medicare PPS cont…. • When was the last time your FQHC reviewed your charges? • Cost of care isn’t decreasing • Do nothing? - THIS RULE HURTS! – Medicare rate may go down • Rule will have HUGE impact on sliding fee scale policies if it isn’t reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis • Huge potential for Medicare Advantage Plans! • NACHC will be rolling out national trainings shortly • First trainings to focus on Sept, Oct, Nov due dates - 150 CHCS, Jan - >300 CHCs
Transformation – VC2 • VC2 – A vision started by NACHC Chair Dr. Gary Wiltz • Strategy to enhance CHC capacity in transformation and a means to cope with the enormous shifts we are now facing. • EHRs: Identify needed performance improvements, implement solutions, and measure the effects of those solutions. • clinical quality, cost control, operational effectiveness, financial performance, and patient experience. • Develop systems integrated with other providers in the community. • Provide organization-wide focus and team training • A continual performance strategy, “This is how we do business.” • Create system to share proven ways to improve quality and lower cost. • Disseminate methods to all health centers
Transformation • It is all up to the Health Centers, HCCNs and PCAs • NACHC can’t lead this – its all local/regional • Convener, collect and spread • HCCN’s are the key to success! • Health Choice Network is a best practice model! • OCHIN and Clinical Informatics tools • Medicare ACOs • Managed care products • ACA changed everything for health care delivery (more business less politics) • Local, regional and state work will dominate for business success • PCAs and HCCNs must work together
The Future • Health Centers are one of the critical pieces of health care delivery moving forward • ACA provided unparalleled growth and opportunities • Capital • Growth • Medicaid Expansion and Marketplace Exchanges • Medicare PPS • Health Centers must start taking risk – more business thinking less grant dependence • NACHC tools (ACO/IPA toolkits)
Today • NACHC must work closer with HCCNs and PCAs recognizing the new roles we are now have • Ohio • We must continue to advocate for our cause • The Primary Care Cliff is real! • Never forget FY’11 - $600M decrease
NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK Invite Your Members of Congress to Visit During NHCW – August 10th-16th More info updated regularly at www.healthcenterweek.org
QUESTIONS and CONTACT INFO QUESTIONS? Shawn K. FrickAssociate Vice President, PCA & Network Relations National Association of Community Health CentersDirect:301-347-0447E-Mail: sfrick@nachc.com