Federal Update

Below is a selection of recent health policy and regulatory news and information relevant to health centers and PCAs. For regular updates, subscribe to Capital Link’s blog, or access NACHC’s blogs and the HRSA’s health center webpage.

House Passes Health Workforce Bills

July 23, 2018 - The House of Representatives passed a suite of bipartisan bills that will invest in loan repayment, primary care training, scholarships, and continuing education for the US health workforce. The bill package has been sent to the Senate. Among a number of funding initiatives, this package includes H.R. 3728, the EMPOWER Act, which reauthorizes health professions workforce programs utilized by health centers. Click here to learn more.

FQHC-Specific Provisions included in CMS’s Annual Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule 

July 23, 2018 - In its annual Notice of Proposed Rule Making on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS is proposing reimbursement “communication technology based services” and “remote evaluation services” as long as those services are not in direct relation to a previous visit or lead to a visit within 24 hours. While not a provision for full telehealth services, it is an important step toward providing more technology-based services FQHCs. Learn more about telehealth at FQHCs here.

HHS Awards $350 Million to FQHCs to Fight Opioid Crisis 

June 20, 2018 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $350 in funding to expand substance use disorder and mental health services at US health centers. Funds are expected to be awarded by HRSA in September. Read more here.