RHCs were originally formed via the Rural Health Clinic Services Act, passed in 1977, which aimed to combat the physician shortage in rural areas and address reimbursement issues with Medicare and Medicaid. (My personal connection to RHCs is through the time I spent advocating for the Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019.)

Without Rural Health Clinics, thousands of people would lack proper access to timely care. The pandemic has triggered increased support and funding allocated through the HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) to Rural Health Clinics, benefiting everything from COVID-19 testing and mitigation to education around vaccine hesitancy. I reached out to Nathan Baugh, Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics—whom I met in my previous work with RHCs—to ask him about the importance of RHCs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As he sees it, “5,000 Rural Health Clinics across the country are the backbone of rural health care. From primary care to COVID-19 testing, urgent care to specialty care, RHCs provide outpatient care to rural, underserved communities.”  

In my current role at VaxCare, I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue working with Rural Health Clinics and communities by providing an end-to-end vaccine solution to their offices, and by extension, their communities. As the pandemic has shown, immunizations are not just for children, but for all people, no matter their age or where they live—urban, rural, or anywhere between!

The post Celebrating National Rural Health Day appeared first on VaxCare.

VaxCare is a buy-and-bill platform designed to eliminate the complexity, manual workflow—and yes, cost—of vaccines while providing visibility into every step of the process.

“Working with VaxCare has been a game changer for us,” says Michael Middleton, MD, founder and owner of Middleton Pediatrics in Orlando, Florida. “Their elegant technology tracks our inventory, simplifies cash flow (which previously would fluctuate dramatically due to vaccine ordering), and provides a much greater level of insight into our vaccine program’s financial and compliance issues.”

Here’s what it looks like with VaxCare in your practice:

• VaxCare purchases all of your vaccines. When we say you’ll never pay another vaccine manufacturer’s invoice again, we mean it. We buy up your existing inventory and do all of your vaccine purchasing going forward, providing you with unlimited inventory, without costing you a dime. That means you’ll never again have to pull out your own credit card to pay a vaccine invoice. And our platform returns tens of thousands of dollars in capital to your practice (not to mention peace of mind).
• VaxCare replenishes your vaccine stock automatically. With VaxCare, you never have to worry about what’s in your fridge—or, just as importantly, what’s not. Our smart data tools help your vaccine manager keep track of everything that goes in and out, and automatically replenishes your vaccine supplies when you’re running low, at no cost to you.
• VaxCare ensures you get paid for every qualifying administration. Tired of chasing reimbursements? VaxCare takes that off your hands, too. Our advanced eligibility service plugs up all the holes in your program, verifying each patient’s coverage and then billing your claims automatically for every shot you administer. Then VaxCare pays you directly for each and every qualifying dose, providing a reliable income stream for your practice.
• VaxCare provides complete transparency for your vaccine program. Although you certainly can “set it and forget it” with VaxCare, we’ve designed our system to provide easy access and full visibility into every aspect of your vaccination program. Just log in any time to track a vaccine encounter from appointment to payment.

How we can make the no-cost promise

Now that we’ve shown how VaxCare takes on the costs, the risks, and pretty much everything else related to your vaccine program, let’s talk about how we’re able to deliver on our promise.

We’ve designed the program to be a healthy tradeoff: we take on all the financial risk, and retain a small percentage of margin on each dose. For most practices, it’s well worth it: removing barriers to vaccination can result in higher immunization rates, and a more profitable program.  “VaxCare has lowered my overhead costs of purchasing vaccines, lowered my burden on billing, and increased my workflow,” says pediatrician Nitin Gupta, MD, owner and CEO of Rivertowns Pediatrics in Dobbs Ferry, New York. “My practice would not be successful today if it wasn’t for VaxCare.”

Now’s the time for no-cost vaccines

Our fully integrated platform will completely transform how you manage your program, giving you more money for your practice, more time with your patients, and increased community immunization rates.

The post No-Cost Vaccines: How It Works appeared first on VaxCare.

Vaccines are among the paramount achievements in public health over the last century. For those of us in the trenches daily, vaccine-preventable diseases aren’t merely topics from our medical textbooks. We witness, often more frequently than we’d like, the anguish these preventable diseases can inflict.

Yet, the past decade has borne witness to a significant shift in primary care vaccination programs. Due to the increasing financial constraints, these critical programs are frequently sidelined. This isn’t due to a lack of understanding or appreciation. The costs associated with procuring, storing, and managing a vaccine program can strain a practice’s financial health, especially those catering to families.

Here are 3 timely reminders about why a primary care practice (PCP) vaccine program is an essential benefit to patients:

1. Better adherence

Trust lies at the heart of the patient-physician relationship. When a patient or a patient’s parent is unsure or apathetic about receiving a vaccine, their doctor’s guidance is pivotal in allaying fears or overcoming indifference. Research indicates that if a practice doesn’t offer vaccinations and directs patients elsewhere, a significant number do not complete the immunization process. 

2. Better response to adverse reactions

The primary care clinician’s intimate knowledge of the administered vaccine allows for timely and appropriate care of an adverse reaction. This professional will also be aware of any pre-existing conditions that could render certain vaccines unsuitable.

3. Better overall care

Primary care practitioners recognize the interconnected nature of health. When a patient visits for a vaccine, it provides a chance for a comprehensive health check. While administering the vaccine, other health irregularities might be spotted, or patients might voice other health concerns. A routine vaccination appointment can open the door to broader health discussions, revealing more profound issues like depression, food insecurity, domestic strife, or other challenges. This offers a chance for intervention, both traditionally and in ways that holistically contribute to the patient’s well-being.

Integrating robust vaccine programs in our primary care practices not only positions us to address immediate health needs but also lays a foundation for a more health-conscious future. We are reasserting that prevention is primary, and community well-being is a priority. We can strive to ensure that every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for, and where the health of communities thrives.

The post Let’s Bring Vaccinations Back to Primary Care appeared first on VaxCare.

1. Karen Smith, MD (North Carolina)
2. Evan Saulino, MD (Oregon)
3. Chuck Thornbury, MD (Kentucky)
4. Robert A. Lee, MD (Iowa)
5. Michelle Walsh, MD (Nebraska)
6. Wanda Filer, MD (Pennsylvania)
7. Glen Madrid, MD (Colorado)
8. Arnie Pallay, MD (New Jersey)
9. Kimberly Becher, MD (West Virginia)
10. John Eplee, MD (Kansas)
11. Michael J. Ramsey MD (Alabama)

The post Our Medical Directors: COVID-19 Vaccinated appeared first on VaxCare.

When Michigan native Dr. Andy Pasternak finished his residency in family medicine and master’s program in epidemiology/preventive medicine at the University of Wisconsin, he wasn’t sure where he and his wife, an anesthesiologist, would start their careers. One trip to visit a friend in Reno was enough to make them fall in love with the area—so much in fact, that they packed up the moving van and headed west like modern-day pioneers.

Over his past two decades, Dr. Pasternak has built a highly respected and successful practice offering family medicine, a sports and fitness lab, and travel medicine services. “I wanted to build a different kind of practice,” Pasternak says, “One that puts the patient and the community first and makes everything about getting care convenient, timely, professional, and of high quality.”

Having a strong vaccination program has been central to that commitment, and over the years, Pasternak has become something of an immunization guru in Nevada. He’s a board member and chair of the vaccination advocacy committee for Immunize Nevada, and as president-elect of the Nevada State Medical Association, he’s been heavily involved in championing vaccine issues in his state’s legislature.

Pasternak joined the VaxCare team as a medical director at the start of 2021 because he knows firsthand how hard it can be to keep a vaccine program running profitably. Numbers like paying $160 per shingles vaccine with an average reimbursement of $95 and doubling costs of his overall vaccine program—from $60k in costs for Q4 2019 to $115k in Q4 2020—were weighing on his practice. “On top of everything else going on in the world right now, this is just so frustrating,” he says. “It’s one reason I get so involved, and why I’m excited to partner with VaxCare.”

He doesn’t long to go back to the old days “where you just bought a refrigerator from Sears and put your vaccines in,” but he does see how hard it is for practices to make the more complex vaccine programs of today work: the monitoring, the logging, the inventory counts. “VaxCare can have a huge positive impact, especially for small practices like mine,” he concludes. “Their vaccine management platform gives us one less thing to worry about.”

His passion for immunization comes from a unique and unlikely source: anti-vaxxers.

“In a strange way, the energy behind the anti-vaccine movement we’ve seen over the past decade or so inspired me to get more active,” Pasternak says. “I knew we had to be a stronger force to counteract it. And my patients helped, too. it’s amazing to talk to my patients who are in their 70s and 80s about what life was like before the polio vaccine.”

“It felt great to be on the front lines of making vaccine history in our community.”

Since the release of the first COVID-19 vaccine, Pasternak has been working with other practices to navigate the vaccine rollout. He also successfully petitioned county officials on behalf of 38 medical offices in his area. “Our office complex received 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine,” Pasternak says. “And though my wife and I were supposed to celebrate our 25th anniversary the weekend they arrived, I said, ‘Hey Joanne, want to come help me vaccinate instead?’” His wife agreed, and their anniversary turned into a different kind of celebration (shown above). “She’s incredible, and she knows how important this is. We got through half of the 200 vaccines that first day using a drive-through model, and though we were completely exhausted by the end of the day, it was fun. And it felt great to be on the front lines of making vaccine history in our community.”

The post Meet Our Newest Medical Director: Dr. Andrew Pasternak (Nevada) appeared first on VaxCare.

We recently sat down with Dr. Brahmi to ask her why better access to contraceptive choice is needed and just how she ended up leading the charge at VaxCare.

Interview by Teresa Kalowsky

What’s the process like today for patients who want to receive a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)?

Because of the cost (more than $1000 per device), many practices do not stock LARC. When a patient does decide they want an implant or IUD, it often has to be ordered through a specialty pharmacy. Delivery can take anywhere from four to six weeks. Then the patient must schedule a new appointment. So many things—from childcare to work obligations to missing class—can get in the way of the patient making it to that next appointment.

In some places I have worked—even with really dedicated staff and clinicians—they were still unable to offer all patients their preferred methods of contraceptives that day.

I worked in an office where they had an entire closet full of unused implants and IUDs that had been ordered and paid for by an insurance company but never used. No one else can benefit from that contraception because the implant or IUD is tied to each individual patient’s insurance claim. It’s considered fraud to use it for another patient.

What sort of barriers do people in the United States face in accessing reproductive health care?

Having practiced medicine now in Indiana, California, New York, and North Carolina, I can tell you that access to reproductive health care really depends on geography and income. Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act required insurance plans and payers to cover, with some exceptions, all FDA-approved contraceptives. So in theory, contraception options are covered for patients who have commercial insurance or Medicaid. Many patients remain uninsured and many states have not expanded Medicaid, although we are seeing some states expand Medicaid for 12 month post-partum.

But there is still a lot of room for improvement in access to reproductive health care. In some places I have worked—even with really dedicated staff and clinicians—they were still unable to offer all patients their preferred methods of contraceptives that day. This does not meet the standard of care, which is to receive contraceptive care when and where you want it. When care is delayed, and is not centered on the needs of the people seeking care, it leads to poor health outcomes.

What brought you to VaxCare’s long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) project?

VaxCare’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Wanda Filer, came to the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians to share their plans for the LARC program. I was excited that this would bring the same ease of access to LARC that VaxCare brings to vaccines. It allows a clinician to immediately check and verify that a patient’s insurance will cover the contraceptive they choose. And because implants and IUDs are always on-hand in the office, the doctor can offer all contraceptive options to the patient on the same day. I saw that could allow people to access care in a way that respects their autonomy and dignity, and frankly does not waste their time.

[With VaxCare’s platform] implants and IUDs are always on-hand in the office, so the doctor can offer all contraceptive options to the patient on the same day.

This pilot sounds like it could transform the way that contraception, especially LARC, is delivered in the United States. Who’s able to participate right now?

In January, VaxCare launched a pilot in Ohio offering hormonal IUDs, non-hormonal IUDs, contraceptive implants, and injectable contraception (DMPA or the shot). We’ve seen interest from midwives, nurse practitioners, family physicians, pediatricians who care for adolescents, and OBGYNs all across the state—urban, suburban, rural—as well as different practice settings. I’m excited that we’ll be launching in my state of North Carolina very soon.

The post VaxCare & Contraceptive Choice with Dr. Dalia Brahmi appeared first on VaxCare.

VaxCare held our very own drive-through flu clinic at our headquarters in Orlando last week. With the help of a few Mobile Hubs and our team of enthusiastic volunteers, we vaccinated over 100 employees and their families. It was wonderful to provide a convenient and safe way to protect our community from the flu.

Last year, the country avoided the dreaded potential “twindemic” thanks to flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as smart behaviors like mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing. As flu season heads our way once again, we’re about to face the same flu/COVID-19 combination. This means continuing to practice those same good habits—although “pandemic fatigue” certainly doesn’t make it any easier. So get out and get that flu shot!

As we head into flu season, here are a few helpful resources for you and your patients:

• Why Flu Season 2020/2021 Is Different
• Flu Season Is Coming. Is Your Practice Ready?
• Building a Dream Team: Staffing Your Vaccination Clinic

The post Our Team Takes Their (Flu) Shot! appeared first on VaxCare.