January 17, 2014 Edition
In this issue, you will find…
Dear Partners:
This coming Monday, January 20th, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When you lift up the legacy of Dr. King in your communities and congregations this weekend, we at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) want to make sure that you have the appropriate resources to educate your communities about the “living legacy” of the Martin Luther King Weekend. Developed by the HHS Partnership Center, the materials highlighted below help to address one of the major social justice issues of our day: affordable and accessible health insurance coverage made possible through President Obama’s health care law.
Dr. King himself identified quality health care as a central component of individual health and wellness. Speaking to the Medical Committee for Human Rights in 1966, Dr. King said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” By helping those in our communities understand the resources available to them and by encouraging them to sign up for coverage, you are addressing the inequality in healthcare and affirming a vision of society where people have the most accessible opportunity for health and wholeness.
We also know that health is not one of the first topics of conversation for individuals in our communities, especially men. That’s why we developed the Brother2Brother handout as a tool to get men talking to other men about their health. The handout includes three questions that can start conversations about the importance of getting and staying healthy as a means to encourage men to review their options at HealthCare.gov.
In order to help educate your congregations and communities about ways to help the uninsured get affordable and accessible health coverage, here is our toolkit for faith and community leaders on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Above all, thank you for sharing in the legacy of Dr. King this weekend. We know that you do this not just through communicating these important messages, but also through all the ways you are serving and supporting your community, both large and small, each and every day. Let us know how you use these resources and serve your community so we can continue to lift up and celebrate the efforts underway across the nation. You can always reach the HHS Partnership Center at Partnerships@hhs.gov or 202-358-3595.
Sincerely,
Acacia Bamberg Salatti, Acting Director
Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Secretary Sebelius: A New Day in Health Coverage
By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
January 1st marks not only the beginning of a New Year, but an exciting new day in health care as millions of Americans will now be able to access care, thanks to the coverage they found at the Health Insurance Marketplace. For many of the newly insured – people like Molly from Charlottesville, VA or Mark from Austin, TX - it will be the first time that they can enjoy the security that comes with health coverage.
For consumers whose Marketplace coverage begins on January 1, we're doing everything we can to help ensure a smooth transition period. If consumers have questions about their new private insurance coverage, they can contact their insurance company directly. Consumers can log into their account on HealthCare.gov to find their insurer’s customer service line or browse through a directory on HealthCare.gov.
Before you go to the doctor or pharmacy using your new insurance for the first time, check out this tip sheet, and make sure to:
- Get your insurance card or a temporary card with your new plan’s information. If you don’t have your card yet, ask your insurance company to give you another way to confirm your coverage;
- Make sure you know when your first premium payment is due and pay it by the due date;
- Check to see which doctors and pharmacies are in your network.
And at your first visit:
- Bring your insurance card with you to the doctor or pharmacy. If you don’t have a card, ask your doctor or pharmacy what other proof of insurance they may accept.
- If you thought you enrolled in health coverage but aren’t showing up in the system, call your insurance company directly. If you don’t have your insurer’s contact information call the Marketplace Call Center (1-800-318-2596) and a trained representative can provide it to you.
We’ve also developed a number of consumer tips on HealthCare.gov to help people understand their new private insurance coverage. The topics include:
- Make sure you're covered. Consumers who think they’ve signed up for Marketplace health insurance, but haven't heard from their insurance company can get help finding out if they're covered.
- Get prescription medication under your new plan. Marketplace health plans will help pay the cost of certain prescription medications. Consumers can get help finding out if their prescription is covered and how to apply for an exception if the medication is not currently covered by their plan.
- Get medical care and find a doctor. Consumers can get help finding doctors and other health care providers covered by their new Marketplace plan.
- Get emergency care. Consumers can get important information on utilizing emergency care, and making sure they know that their insurance company can't charge more for emergency room services at an “out-of-network” hospital.
- Appeal a health plan decision. Consumers have the right to appeal a decision when an insurance company refuses to pay for a specific treatment or service. We can help guide consumers through the appeals process.
As we continue to give consumers information to help them understand their new Marketplace coverage, we're also continuing to work to ensure that every American who wants to enroll in Marketplace coverage by the end of the open enrollment period on March 31st, 2014, is able to do so—and enjoy the security and peace of mind that comes with having quality health coverage.
Share Your ACA Success Stories
HHS has a new tool to help share success stories of people enrolling in health insurance. Consumers, Navigators, assisters and others can submit their success stories atwww.HHS.gov/healthcare and click on Share Your Get Covered Story. The webpage includes a form to share the story and provide contact information. HHS is highlighting stories of people who have signed up for health insurance in the Marketplace. This website gives consumers a chance to tell their story in their own words.
We also have a Pinterest board where we will be highlighting these stories:http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/
Thank you for sharing your ACA success story with us!
Insurance That's High Quality and Affordable? Now That's a Slam Dunk.
By Magic Johnson
No one plans to get sick or hurt -- I certainly didn't -- but most people will need medical care at some point in their lives.
As an athlete, I understood the value of my health insurance. I knew that in my profession, injuries were common and could happen at any time.
It was important that I had the insurance needed to protect me in case I got hurt. It's been almost 20 years since my playing days and having health insurance is still important to me. All athletes know that a broken bone, or knee surgery can cost a lot, and medical bills can add up. But it doesn't just happen to professional athletes, it can happen to anybody. And, without health insurance, some medical treatments can cost thousands of dollars.
The good news is, now you can finally get the health insurance you need. The new Health Insurance Marketplace offers affordable, quality health insurance that can help you get the care you need without risking your life savings.
The Marketplace is a new, simpler way to purchase health insurance -- all in one place. You can go online to find and compare options, determine if you qualify for lower costs, and enroll in the plan that's right for you.
Everyone should have the opportunity to get affordable, quality health coverage. There's still time to enroll through March 31.
Protect your health -- enroll today.
For Korby, Music and Health Insurance Go Hand in Hand
By Salim Zymet, Digital Advisor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Financial uncertainty.
For Korby, a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee, “financial uncertainly” is one of the hardest parts of pursuing his career.
And despite always being healthy, Korby knew that “it would only take one trip to the emergency room to really derail me financially.”
Spurred by a friend, Korby visited HealthCare.gov, and says he was “surprised and grateful” to see that he had affordable options—he’ll only be paying $17 a month for health coverage.
"Having health insurance means I can still continue to fish for the next song that's going to mean something to me and other people, and that it's going to be okay if something happens along the way. It’s a good feeling."
Millions of Americans like Korby have enrolled in Affordable coverage—follow their lead by visitingwww.HealthCare.gov today, and if you’ve already enrolled in coverage, share your #GetCovered story with us by clicking here.
Learn about the Health Insurance Marketplace in Chinese (Mandarin)
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) invites you to join a Google Hangout in Chinese on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 3:00 pm ET.
One in seven Chinese Americans lacks health insurance. With almost half of all Chinese Americans reporting speaking English less than very well, Chinese Americans are among the highest limited English proficient populations in the nation. To help provide information to limited English proficiency communities, the White House Initiative on AAPIs is hosting a series of online Google+ Hangouts in AAPI languages. The next Hangout will be in Mandarin.
Access to quality, affordable coverage is critically important to AAPI individuals and families, and now, it will be more accessible than ever through the Affordable Care Act and the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
During the Hangout, representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will answer your questions and provide information on how to obtain health care coverage through the new Marketplace. The White House Initiative on AAPI has already hosted a Hangout in Korean and Vietnamese; this is the first Hangout in Mandarin.
The Chinese language Hangout will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM (EST). Join the Hangout by watching live at a local viewing party or online by joining the Google Hangout. You may also submit your questions during the event via the Google+ ‘Ask a Question’ feature, or in advance via email, or Twitter at @WhiteHouseAAPI. More information on the in-language Hangouts can be found at The White House Initiative on AAPI’s website, and more information about enrolling can be found at HealthCare.gov.
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2014
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 p.m. (Eastern)
2014 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Application Cycle is Open
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is pleased to announce that the 2014 NHSC Loan Repayment Program application cycle is now open. The application cycle will close on March 20, at 7:30 pm ET.
To help ensure that the communities with the greatest need are supported, qualified applicants working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) with the highest scores as of January 1, 2014, will be given priority. With continued service, NHSC providers may be able to pay off all of their student loans.
The Program is expected to be competitive. On average, it takes a few weeks to complete an application so please encourage applicants to begin the process early. It is suggested that applicants start gathering required documentation as soon as possible.
Technical assistance webcasts and conference calls have been scheduled to address questions. Encourage applicants to mark their calendars for the following webcast and conference calls.
• Webcast: Wednesday, January 29, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. ET
• Conference Call: Wednesday, February 5, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. ET
• Conference Call: Wednesday, February 12, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. ET
Also, please share one of our member story videos which features Sean Boynes, a current NHSC Loan Repayment program participant. Mr. Boynes is a dentist practicing at Caresouth Carolina’s Mobile Dental Unit in Society Hill, SC. This will give applicants a unique view into the life of a current NHSC participant.
Upcoming Events
Interactive Webinars on the Health Care Law
The HHS Partnership Center has updated webinars on the health care law for faith and community leaders. All webinars are open to the public and include a question and answer session.
To participate in one of the webinars, please select your preferred topic from the list below and submit the necessary information. Please click on the title of the webinar and fill out the registration form. After registering you will receive an e-mail confirmation containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact us at ACA101@hhs.gov if you have problems registering or if you have any questions about the health care law. All webinars are one hour.
Please note that the first 1,000 people who join each webinar at the start time are able to attend. If there is significant interest in a webinar, we will do our best to schedule another session. If possible, please use your computer speakers to listen to the audio portion of the webinar.
National Webinars
January 30 at 3:00 p.m. ET
To Join By Phone Only, Dial 314-627-1518; Access Code: 685-210-347
For those joining by phone only, the Pin Number is the # key.
If you have questions about the health care law, the Affordable Care Act, this is the webinar for you! We will answer questions that have been submitted in advance as well as new questions asked during the webinar. Please send your questions by January 30 at 10 a.m. toACA101@hhs.gov.
February 4 at 3:00 p.m. ET
To Join By Phone Only, Dial 702-489-0008; Access Code: 217-541-652
For those joining by phone only, the Pin Number is the # key.
We are in the open enrollment period for health insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace. We will explain the health care law, show you how to shop for plans using our new window shopping tool, explain how to enroll, and answer your questions. Open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014. Please send any questions to ACA101@hhs.gov prior to February 4 at 10 a.m. ET.
February 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET
To Join By Phone Only, Dial 702-489-0007; Access Code: 457-547-210
For those joining by phone only, the Pin Number is the # key.
If you have questions about the health care law, the Affordable Care Act, this is the webinar for you! We will answer questions that have been submitted in advance as well as new questions asked during the webinar. Please send your questions by February 20 at 10 a.m. ET toACA101@hhs.gov.
Grant Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Grants Forecast is a database of planned grant opportunities proposed by its agencies. Each Forecast record contains actual or estimated dates and funding levels for grants that the agency intends to award during the fiscal year. Forecast opportunities are subject to change based on enactment of congressional appropriations.
When funding is available and an agency is ready to accept applications, the agency will issue an official notice, known as a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), which will be available on how to apply.
As always, the final section of our newsletter includes an updated grants listing that faith-based and community non-profits can pursue. All of these grant programs are competitive. It is important to review the funding announcement thoroughly to ensure that the grant opportunity is one that is appropriate to your organization’s mission, size, and scope.
Grants Information
Title: Mobilization for Health: National Prevention Partnership Awards (NPPA) Program
Description: The NPPA Program is designed to promote and accelerate partnerships, catalyzing collaborations in improving health through access to, and use of, preventive services across the United States. The program is designed to establish integrated, collaborative local, state, regional, or tribal partnerships to increase community awareness and action on preventive health services, particularly those provided through Health Promotion Programs and Services.
Last day to Apply: Non-binding letters of intent are due January 21, 2014 by 5:00p.m. ET. Applications are due March 3, 2014.
Title: Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Program
Description: This announcement solicits applications for the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Program. NWD grants are awarded to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities under-represented among registered nurses) by providing (1) student scholarships or stipends for diploma or associate degree nurses to enter a bridge or degree completion program, and (2) student scholarships or stipends for accelerated nursing degree programs, pre-entry preparation, advanced education preparation, and retention activities.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to Apply: January 24, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Description: This announcement solicits applications for the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Program. NWD grants are awarded to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities under-represented among registered nurses) by providing (1) student scholarships or stipends for diploma or associate degree nurses to enter a bridge or degree completion program, and (2) student scholarships or stipends for accelerated nursing degree programs, pre-entry preparation, advanced education preparation, and retention activities.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to Apply: January 24, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Title: Resource and Technical Assistance Center for HIV Prevention and Care for Black Men who Have Sex with Men (Black MSM) Cooperative Agreement
Description: The purpose of this program is to: 1) inventory existing evidence-based interventions and strategies and; 2) identify and disseminate best practices and effective models of care for this population.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to Apply: February 21, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Description: The purpose of this program is to: 1) inventory existing evidence-based interventions and strategies and; 2) identify and disseminate best practices and effective models of care for this population.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to Apply: February 21, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Title: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B AIDS Drug Assistance Program Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Description: The purpose of this grant program is to provide technical assistance to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B grantees on developing and maintaining comprehensive systems of care, integrated planning, monitoring subgrantees, and Affordable Care Act implementation and to provide technical assistance to AIDS Drug Assistance Programs on the implementation of cost-containment strategies, financial modeling, waitlist management, and ACA implementation.
Last day to Apply: February 26, 2014
Title: Statewide Consumer Network Program
Description: The purpose of this program is to improve mental health service delivery to people with serious mental illnesses. In so doing, it seeks to enhance statewide mental health consumer-run and -controlled organizations to promote service system capacity and infrastructure development that is consumer-driven, recovery-focused and resiliency-oriented.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: February 28, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Description: The purpose of this program is to improve mental health service delivery to people with serious mental illnesses. In so doing, it seeks to enhance statewide mental health consumer-run and -controlled organizations to promote service system capacity and infrastructure development that is consumer-driven, recovery-focused and resiliency-oriented.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: February 28, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Title: Statewide Family Network Program
Description: The purpose of this program is to enhance state capacity and infrastructure to better respond to the needs of children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and their families by providing information, referrals, and support to families who have a child with a mental health challenge, and to create a mechanism for families to participate in state and local mental health services planning and policy development.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: February 28, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Description: The purpose of this program is to enhance state capacity and infrastructure to better respond to the needs of children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and their families by providing information, referrals, and support to families who have a child with a mental health challenge, and to create a mechanism for families to participate in state and local mental health services planning and policy development.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: February 28, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Title: Recovery Community Services Program-Statewide Network
Description: The purpose of this program is to expand the capacity of addiction recovery community organizations through the development of an organized statewide network. In collaboration with other relevant groups, grantees will work to strengthen the voice of the larger addiction recovery community at the local and state levels.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: March 5, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Description: The purpose of this program is to expand the capacity of addiction recovery community organizations through the development of an organized statewide network. In collaboration with other relevant groups, grantees will work to strengthen the voice of the larger addiction recovery community at the local and state levels.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to apply: March 5, 2014
Grant administered by the: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Title: System-level Workforce Capacity Building for Integrating HIV Primary Care in Community Health Care Settings - Demonstration Sites
Description: This initiative seeks to enhance the capacity and readiness of funded organizations to adapt and re-align their workforce systems to improve the provision of quality care to people living with HIV. Funding will be provided to support organizations to promote the design, implementation, and evaluation of system-level changes in staffing structures that improve health outcomes along the HIV Care Continuum. Applicants must propose innovative strategies to increase their capacity to achieve efficient and sustainable service delivery practices that both optimize human resources and improve health outcomes.
Link to Full Announcement: Link to Full Announcement
Last day to Apply: March 10, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Last day to Apply: March 10, 2014
Grant administered by the: Health Resources and Services Administration
Title: Academic-Community Partnership Conference Series
Description: The purpose of this grant opportunity is to bring together academic institutions/organizations and community organizations to identify opportunities for addressing health disparities through the use of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The objectives of meetings conducted as part of this award will be to: (1) establish and/or enhance academic-community partnerships; (2) identify community-driven research priorities, and (3) develop long-term collaborative CBPR research agendas.
Last day to Apply: October 17, 2014
Grant Announcements
$58 million to provide expanded enrollment assistance
In December, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced $58 million in grants to 1,157 health centers across the nation currently working to enroll uninsured Americans in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act. With these funds, health centers can expand their enrollment assistance efforts as more Americans enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.
These awards “build upon the efforts of health centers across the country as uninsured Americans gain health insurance coverage,” Secretary Sebelius said. “This investment means that health centers can provide expanded assistance for people in communities nationwide looking for resources to help them understand their insurance options and enroll in affordable coverage.”
With these awards, health centers will be able to meet immediate needs, including expanding the hours of existing outreach and enrollment assistance workers, and hiring new or temporary outreach and enrollment assistance workers. Today, health centers operate more than 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve more than 21 million patients annually.
“Having more opportunities for face-to-face enrollment assistance from trusted resources at local health centers means that more people will get the help they need to sign up by the end of the open enrollment period on March 31, 2014,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D, R.N.
These awards, issued by HRSA, complement and align with other federal efforts to help Americans get access to affordable health insurance coverage. The awards also build upon earlier health center program investments of $150 million to support outreach and enrollment activities.
For a list of health centers receiving this funding, visit: www.hrsa.gov/about/news/
To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.HealthCare.gov. To learn more about HRSA’s Health Center Program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario