IMPORTANT NEWS FROM HRSA!

Optimizing Virtual Care in Health Centers 

HRSA Announces $50 Million in Funding to Optimize Use of Virtual Care in Health Centers

HRSA announced the availability of up to $50 million for HRSA-funded health centers to further efforts to advance virtual care. This competitive, one-time funding opportunity will support health centers in optimizing the use of virtual care to increase access and improve clinical quality for medically underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

Award recipients will develop and implement innovative, evidence-based strategies that can be adapted, leveraged, and scaled across the country to optimize virtual care. The awards will support increased use of telehealth services and other virtual care strategies such as remote patient monitoring, digital tools for patient engagement, and enhanced health information technology integration.

Applications are due in Grants.gov on Friday, July 16, and in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) on Tuesday, August 17.

Visit the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Optimizing Virtual Care (OVC) technical assistance (TA) webpage for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), pre-recorded TA webinar, and other resources.

Funding Opportunity for Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements

Health centers have until Thursday, June 24, to submit their ARP – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements (C8E) application in EHBs. Visit the C8E TA webpage for award submission guidance and other resources. See the C8E FAQs webpage, which we continually update.

Check out a new TA guide developed by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for recommendations of facility enhancements to better serve an aging patient population. It also includes a short description of the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). These recommendations may be appropriate for health centers considering use of one-time ARP funding. NACHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.

FROM AIHC!

HIPAA, The Cures Act and Information Blocking Compliance

The ONC’s Information Blocking rules and regulations went into effect April 5, 2021.  Read this great article to find out why it is important, what constitutes Information Blocking, and a deep dive into Information Blocking exceptions.