WEBINAR: The Post-2014 Health Care Workforce: Meeting the Demand for Increased Primary Care

August 6, 2013, 12:00-1:30PM (EDT)
Click here to register.  Registration for this free webinar closes at noon (EDT) on August 5th.  This event is part of NIHCM Foundation's Transforming the Health Care Landscape webinar series.

Primary care in the U.S. is already stretched thin, with millions of Americans set to gain health care coverage in 2014 and beyond, there is a growing urgency to strengthen the workforce to ensure access for all.  This webinar will explore the dynamics behind workforce shortages as well as strategies for increasing primary care capacity. Click here for more information about this webinar and the issues that will be discussed. [Source:  NAFC]

Web-Based Certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care (IBHPC )

"Offered by the University of Michigan School of Social Work, this certificate program is a blended and interactive web-based learning experience led by a team of national experts, seasoned clinicians, and University of Michigan scholars. Designed for professionals in social work, primary care, nursing, psychology, and other applied fields, participants will gain assessment, intervention, and consultation skills with practical applications in the workplace, and will link with a peer distance learning community to discuss ideas and practice new skills. A special emphasis of the IBHPC certificate program is teaching feasible behavioral health interventions for use in fast-paced clinical environments.  The application deadline is August 2, 2013." [Source: ACU] 

Webinar series to address ways to help older adults maintain optimum function and manage select geriatric syndromes

"This three part webinar series will address ways to help older adults maintain optimum function and manage select geriatric syndromes....Community Health Partners for Sustainability, in conjunction with the National Center for Health and the Aging, is excited to present this free, three-part webinar series...This webinar series is geared toward physicians and advanced practice nurses, as well as clinic administrators." Click here to read more.

Part 2:Common Screenings for Older Adults- Wed, May 29, 2013 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, ET. Register here
Part 3:Cancer Screenings for Older Adults - Wed, June 26, 2013 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, ET. Register here
[Source: Community Health Partners for Sustainability]

Primary Care Provider Self Attestation Form

"Changes to Medicaid primary care reimbursement were enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act. Eligible physicians will receive supplemental payments for services rendered between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, that raise the Medicaid reimbursement to Medicare rates. Medicare rates have not been confirmed at this time.

To be eligible, physicians must personally attest as practicing in family medicine, general internal medicine and/or pediatric medicine and be board certified or meet thresholds for providing recent primary care services.  Advanced practice professionals practicing under the personal supervision of a qualified physician are eligible to receive the supplemental payment...Providers must fill out the short Self-Attestation Form in order to be eligible for the supplemental payments... Click here to read more.

• Self-Attestation Form
• FAQs
• Fact Sheet

[Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

New Senate report on primary care access

"A new Senate report, Primary Care Access outlines the critical shortage of primary care providers across the nation and predicts a growing primary care shortage. The report urges increased investment in the primary care workforce and in community health centers. Tess Stack Kuenning, executive director of Bi-State Primary Care Association, was among those who testified at a Senate hearing on the need for primary care."  [Source: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved]

Primary Care Provider Self Attestation Form

"Changes to Medicaid primary care reimbursement were enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act. Eligible physicians will receive supplemental payments for services rendered between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, that raise the Medicaid reimbursement to Medicare rates. Medicare rates have not been confirmed at this time.

To be eligible, physicians must personally attest as practicing in family medicine, general internal medicine and/or pediatric medicine and be board certified or meet thresholds for providing recent primary care services.  Advanced practice professionals practicing under the personal supervision of a qualified physician are eligible to receive the supplemental payment...Providers must fill out the short Self-Attestation Form in order to be eligible for the supplemental payments.

If self-attested before March 31, 2013, payments will be retroactive to January 1, 2013. If attested after March 31, 2013, the supplemental payments will be for eligible services provided after the date of self-attestation."

• Self-Attestation Form
• FAQs
• Fact Sheet

[Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Webinar: Enhancing Strategies to Promote Individual Change in Primary Healthcare Settings

Enhancing Strategies to Promote Individual Change in Primary Healthcare Settings is a webinar that will take place on Sept. 5, 2 - 3:30 p.m. (ET).  It is designed for primary care staff working in an integrated care setting. Participants will learn skills that increase individuals’ likelihood of understanding information and helping individuals develop motivation and consider steps toward health-related changes.  The presentation will be conducted by Deborah Myers, M.Ed., PCC-S, consultant and trainer, Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University and its Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Coordinating Center of Excellence initiative. Click here to register.

Insurance Coverage, Medical Homes Are Keys to Reducing Health Disparities

"A new analysis from The Commonwealth Fund shows that having both health insurance and a medical home—an accessible primary care practice that knows its patients and helps to coordinate their care—dramatically reduces disparities in health and health care. The analysis, which was based on the Biennial Health Insurance Survey, finds that when people with low incomes have both insurance and a medical home, they are nearly as likely as those with higher incomes to receive recommended preventive services and to rate their care as excellent or very good.

The findings, say the authors, affirm the importance of the Affordable Care Act's provisions to expand access to health coverage and promote new models of care delivery, including medical homes." Read more. (Source: The Commonwealth Fund)

Policy Speakout: Better health care through data collection

Article is written by Steve Holloway, Director of the Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"Good public planning depends upon the sound evaluation of accurate and complete data. The Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is among the many organizations across the state that are developing the health professional workforce to meet the state's current and future needs..."

Read the rest of the story

[Source: Colorado Health Foundation's Health Relay]

"Implementing Person-Centered Care in the Primary Care Setting" Free Presentation Aug. 29th

What does person-centered care look like in a primary care setting? Why does it matter? And finally, how can you partner with the Colorado Health Foundation to advance the practice of person-centered care? For answers to these questions and more, attend a special presentation from the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care.

"Implementing Person-Centered Care in the Primary Care Setting"
Monday, August 29, 2011
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Denver Botanic Gardens
Gates Hall
1007 York Street
Denver, CO 80206

The Event is FREE
RSVP to Sara Overby

Why should you attend?
Experts from the Institute will give an up close and personal look at what person-centered care looks like in the real world of health care from the perspective of patients, families, staff, physicians and administrators. In addition, you will have an opportunity to provide input for how this practice should look in Colorado. Following the presentation there will be a question and answer session. This is an excellent opportunity to establish a relationship with the Institute to brainstorm projects.

What will they discuss?

• How to define person- and family-centered care
• How to recognize what person- and family-centered care looks and feels like
• Why it is important
• What are the benefits of providing person- and family-centered care
• What tools should be used to create effective partnerships
• How to identify consulting, training and technical assistance opportunities

In 2012, the Colorado Health Foundation will be funding organizations and projects that advance the practice of person-centered care. Brenda Sears, program officer for Health Care, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about applying for grants in this area.

New Study Explores Roles of Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants in Improving Access to Primary Care

A new report by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured looks at the potential of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to increase the supply of primary care, in areas experiencing physician shortages as well as system-wide, as Medicaid expands to cover more uninsured adults.