Post by John Craine on Jul 21, 2015 14:39:05 GMT -5
SOPHE Announces Medicaid Reimbursement Toolkit for Health Education Specialists
Media Contact: Dr. Cicily Hampton, Director, Health Policy | 202-408-9804 | CHampton@sophe.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 21, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is pleased to release a new toolkit entitled, Advocating for Health Education Reimbursement in Medicaid State Plans, which can be used to help prepare a state Medicaid plan amendment to request reimbursement for preventive services provided by health education specialists. The toolkit includes multiple fact sheets, examples, and instructions of how health education specialists can work with local partners to the steps and information needed to present a state plan amendment to Medicaid directors and secure reimbursement for prevention services.
In January 2014, The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) revised the regulatory definition of preventive services, allowing state Medicaid programs to provide reimbursement of community prevention services provided by non-licensed practitioners, as long as the services have been recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner. Traditionally, such services were only reimbursable if provided by a clinician or licensed practitioner.
"This toolkit builds on the recognition that health education specialists can play a valuable role in expanding the team-based approach to care and enhancing clinical-community linkages to improve the health of individuals and communities," says SOPHE’s Chief Executive Officer Elaine Auld, MPH, MCHES. "We hope this free resource can be useful in making the case to policymakers and others about incorporating health education specialists in new payment and reimbursement models, and ultimately in helping bend the cost curve of chronic disease."
In addition to explaining the CMS rule, the toolkit explains basic skills and training of health education specialists and their certification system, which includes specific academic preparation, passing a competency-based examination and satisfying continuing education requirements to maintain the national credential. The toolkit also provides powerful examples of how health education specialists are providing return on investment (ROI) in public health and community prevention initiatives. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment of health educators will grow by projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. To access the free toolkit, go to www.sophe.org/advocacytoolkit.cfm
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The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a 501 (c)(3) professional organization founded in 1950 to provide global leadership to the profession of health education and health promotion. SOPHE contributes to the health of all people and the elimination of health disparities through advances in health education theory and research; excellence in professional preparation and practice; and advocacy for public policies conducive to health. SOPHE is the only independent professional organization devoted exclusively to health education and health promotion. Members include behavioral scientists, faculty, practitioners, and students engaged in disease prevention and health promotion in both the public and private sectors. Collectively, SOPHE’s 4,000 national and chapter members work in universities, medical/health care settings, businesses, voluntary health agencies, international organizations, and all branches of federal/state/local government.