Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness, kidney disease, and amputation.
Community Health Care Association of New York State
The Community Healthcare Association of New York State
Kathy Alexis
kalexis@chcanys.org
212-710-3817
The Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) is the statewide primary care association of community, migrant, and homeless health centers in New York State. With offices in Manhattan and Albany, CHCANYS works to support 70 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Lookalikes at nearly 500 locations. CHCANYS’ services consist of a complete range of technical assistance; training; resource development; advocacy; policy research and development; leadership on clinical, quality and technology, and emergency preparedness; and expansion of primary care services for all New Yorkers.
Reversing New York’s diabetes epidemic requires a comprehensive and coordinated response, including implementing improvements to the way that care is provided to patients with diabetes. Despite the wealth of information about best practices in the care of diabetes, many patients still do not receive the care and support they need to most effectively manage their conditions. In response, CHCANYS has joined the Campaign as a cornerstone member of the Campaign’s Diabetes Clinical Improvement Network. CHCANYS is working with the Campaign and other clinical partners to design and implement strategies that enhance diabetes care and improve patient outcomes in all types of primary care settings—community health centers, hospitals, and private practices.
To date, CHCANYS has developed and administered a survey to FQHCs throughout the State to assess various aspects of diabetes care. CHCANYS worked with the Campaign’s Network partners to adapt the survey for other primary care settings and use it to assess the needs of the primary care providers in caring for their patients with diabetes.
In May 2008, CHCANYS hosted a panel at its clinical conference where national and state representatives were asked to present on strategic plans in improving primary or diabetes care, including examples of initiatives from Rhode Island and Minnesota.
CHCANYS recruited four initial FQHCs to the Campaign and assisted them in assessing their diabetes care. To date, CHCANYS has helped 59 physicians apply for recognition under the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Diabetes Recognition Program (NCQA DRP). CHCANYS continues to recruit additional FQHCs interested in joining the Campaign and assists them in improving the health outcomes of their patients with diabetes. Their work will enable their members to achieve and demonstrate high standards of diabetes care, including through the NCQA DPRP and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. CHCANYS will provide technical assistance to its members by telephone, onsite visits, Webinars, diabetes physician experts, and regional training sessions in areas with great need or activity.
CHCANYS will work with the New York State Health Foundation’s Diabetes Policy Center and the Campaign’s other partners to advocate for policy, systems, and reimbursement changes that support primary care practice and improvements in diabetes outcomes.
