US Department of Health & Human Services announced the awarding of three categories of ACA funding to nine clients of theFranaGroup.

US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced the awarding of three categories of Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding to nine clients of theFranaGroup from accross the nation totaling $2,181,268. theFranaGroup clients received a combined $500,000 in Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) grants, a $212,454 Navigator grant and $1,468,814 in combined Expanded Services funding from ACA to support expanded health center services including oral health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and vision services. Clients in six states located in Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana and Nevada received funding.

Each of these award categories were designed to fund enhanced access to and quallity of health services provided to the newly insured or those still navigating the new healthcare landscape of the ACA. PCMH grants fund facility upgrades to health centers to support the movement to a Patient Centered Medical Home delivery model, which is designed to improve quallity of care through a team-based approach. Navigator grants fund preparation and outreach activities for in-person assisters in local communities that facilitate enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Expanded Services funding from ACA enables health centers to increase access to primary health care by hiring new staff, staying open for longer hours, and expanding the care they provide to include new services such as oral health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and vision services.

“The ACA has exceeded most expectations in terms of the number of individuals enrolled and participating insurance companies; this fall 77 more insurers will be offering plans through the Marketplace” said John Frana, President of theFranaGroup. “Ultimately, the goal of ACA was to provide better healthcare options to Americans and theFranaGroup is proud of our work with health centers to win the necessary ACA funds to accomplish that goal.”

About theFranaGroup

theFranaGroup is a national health care cosulting firm headquartered in Rockford, IL, specializing in Federally Qualified Health Centers. In the last 16 years, they have worked with over 100 organizations and reviewed over 200 clinical sites in 37 states and Puerto Rico. Clients include health systems, public health departments, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, private practices, residency programs, free clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Frana previously served as President & CEO of Crusader Community Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, in Rockford IL for 23 years before establishing his own national consulting firm.