Access and Affordability
KPCA is dedicated to enhancing access and affordability in healthcare. Through training and technical assistance (TA), KPCA supports its members in delivering comprehensive, affordable, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health services.
Key Objectives:
• Comprehensive and Timely Services: Foster partnerships with community organizations to address barriers and meet patient needs effectively.
• Affordability: Ensure affordability for all patients by screening for health-related social needs and assisting with eligibility for financial support programs.
• Enabling Services: Enhance patient experience through culturally and linguistically appropriate care coordination, translation, outreach, and education.
• Collaborative Relationships: Strengthen connections with health providers, hospitals, and specialists within local communities.
National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs)
| Partner | Focus Area | How They Help |
|---|---|---|
| National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) | Oral health integration into primary care. | Develops strategies for monitoring oral health outcomes. |
| School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) | Health needs of underserved youth. | Supports school-based health programs to improve care delivery. |
| National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) | Public housing-based health centers. | Enhances clinical practices for residents in public housing. |
| National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) | Public housing residents’ specialized needs. | Improves culturally responsive care and increases health equity. |
| National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center | Inclusive care for sexual and gender minorities. | Provides training on best practices for LGBTQIA+ healthcare delivery. |
Resources
Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Eligibility Renewals: A Communications Toolkit
Organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2023)
Description: This toolkit guides Medicaid and CHIP enrollees through the renewal process and explores alternative healthcare options.
Download ToolkitCommunity Inclusion and Cultural Humility in Diabetes Prevention
Organization: National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC) (2022)
Description: A webinar sharing best practices for diabetes prevention programs that are culturally responsive and patient-centered.
Watch WebinarSpecialty Care Access in Health Centers: What Is the Potential of eConsults?
Organization: HITEQ Center (2022)
Description: This webinar examines how eConsults leverage technology to connect patients and providers with specialty expertise, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
View WebinarTips for Health Center Boards for Evaluating the Sliding Fee Discount Program
Organization: National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) (2022)
Description: A comprehensive eLearning module that helps health center boards collaborate with CEOs to update and evaluate sliding fee discount programs.
Access eLearningTransportation and Health Access: A Quality Improvement Toolkit
Organization: Health Outreach Partners (2016)
Description: This toolkit identifies transportation as a key barrier to healthcare access and provides actionable strategies to overcome it.
Download ToolkiLessons Learned from Implementing a Mobile Medical Unit
2024 KPCA Annual Conference
An effective way to improve vaccine rates in rural school settings is by utilizing a mobile clinic. Mobile clinics can travel to schools to provide vaccinations on-site, making it more convenient for families who face transportation barriers. This approach increases vaccination rates among children and reduces the spread of preventable diseases in rural communities.
Bluegrass Community Health Center started using a mobile clinic in 2022 to increase vaccine rates in Clark County Public Schools, Winchester, Kentucky. Since then, care access and vaccine rates have improved across the district.
Upcoming Changes to the Medicare Insurance Market
2024 KPCA Annual Conference
Providers, clinicians, and community health workers should attend this session hosted by Medicare Insurance expert Richard McQuerry. Topics include 2025 changes to Medicare Part D, the Donut Hole, and the "Birthday Rule" affecting eligibility for Medicare Supplement coverage. New plans and updates to existing plans will also be discussed.
Richard will cover proactive strategies to help patients choose the best plan, avoid scams, and address concerns. The session will conclude with an informative Q&A session.
Payor Contracting and Medicare Advantage Wrap Around Payment
2024 KPCA Annual Conference
Reviewing and updating payor contracts can reveal revenue opportunities and compliance requirements, such as those around collection for patients qualifying for sliding fee discount programs.
Health centers are entitled to the PPS rate through the Medicare Wrap Around Process, but many centers fail to leverage this opportunity. Presenters will outline strategies for contract evaluation and implementing the Medicare Wrap Around process to maximize revenue.