San Francisco HIV Frontline Organizing Group

(SF HIV FOG)

SF HIV FOG is a collaboration between San Francisco organizations serving people living with HIV. WE strive to support HIV Frontline-workers through training and networking events, resource and information sharing, and professional development opportunities.

What We Do

San Francisco HIV Frontline Organizing Group (SF HIV FOG) is a grassroots collaboration between community-based HIV service organizations and representatives of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. It provides training and professional networking opportunities for frontline workers in San Francisco. (e.g., social workers, client advocates, money managers, mental health clinicians, navigators, and benefits eligibility workers, etc.) To improve interagency collaboration and delivery of services to people living with HIV.

 

Background

In May 2015, a group of San Francisco HIV Frontline workers came together to discuss how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would impact people living with HIV/AIDS and frontline workers who support them. SF HIV FOG grew out of this meeting.

Become Part of SF HIV FOG

To be added to our listserv and gain access to community resources, upcoming events, and be part of a local network of frontline service providers, please enter your information below.

    Training & Networking Events, & Awareness Campaigns

    SFHIV FOG trainings are designed for San Francisco HIV frontline workers. Past trainings included topics such as Transgender Care and Competency, Sex Worker Support, Open Enrollment Health Insurance Boot Camp, PrEP, Access to Behavioral Health, and more.

    Upcoming Trainings and Networking Events

    In 2023

    Check back for announcements of training and networking events.

    Wednesday, April 26, 2023

    Long-Acting Injectables for ART & PrEP

    Mark your calendar for this important in-person training event.

    More details and registration information are coming soon.

    Past SF HIV FOG Training and Networking Events

    Past training and networking events have included topics like transgender care and competency, sex worker support, health insurance open enrollment, access to behavioral health, and more.

    2020 Open Enrollment Boot Camp VI

    The SF HIV FOG Steering Committee is looking forward to presenting this year’s Open Enrollment Boot Camp VI virtually, over the course of three Wednesday mornings in October.

    Each year, the goal of the SF HIV FOG Open Enrollment Boot Camp is to enable HIV frontline workers to help clients living with HIV navigate the various local and state healthcare coverage options. We encourage you to join us as now, more than ever, it is vital to the health and survival of our community members that they are enrolled in an appropriate healthcare plan.

    By the end of the 3 training events, attendees will be able to:

    • Identify healthcare coverage options available for HIV care and medication
    • Explain how to navigate clients during open enrollment in healthcare coverage
    • Describe the various support programs available through ADAP to help people with HIV pay for medication and healthcare coverage

    In addition to the pre-recorded presentations, you will have the unique opportunity to workshop specific issues and case studies with our knowledgeable and experienced benefits attorneys and enrollment workers!

    Week One: HIV & Health Insurance 101 Wednesday, October 7, 2020

    • 10:00 am Video Presentations and Resource Guide Review
    • 11:00 am Question & Answer Session with Bill Stewart, Staff Attorney for PRC’s Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP)
    2020-2021 SF HIV FOGOpen Enrollment Resource Guide – Week One:  Health Care Basics
    1. Covered CA Federal Poverty Level (FPL) 2020 Chart https://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/FPL-chart.pdf
    2. Medicare Handbook https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10050-Medicare-and-You.pdf
    3. Medicare Part D Premium Payment Program, Enhanced with Medigap Premium Payment and Medical Out-of-Pocket Assistance. Extra Help: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/lower-prescription-costs. ADAP MDPP: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_adap_medpartd.aspx
    4. 2020 Application of CalFresh, Cash Aid, and/or Medi-Cal (SAWS2PLUS) https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/laws/Documents/SPA%2013-022%20Attachment%202%20SAWS%202%20PLUS_FINAL%207%2024%2013%20ADA.pdf 
    5. 2020 Application For CalFresh Benefits (Only) https://www.sfhsa.org/services/health-food/calfresh/applying-calfresh. Expansion of CalFresh to SSI Recipients: http://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/ https://www.getcalfresh.org/en/coronavirus
    6. Medi-Cal Application Documents https://www.sfhsa.org/services/health-food/medi-cal/apply-medi-cal
    7. Reporting a Change with Medi-Cal (Link Only) https://www.coveredca.com/members/reporting-a-change/#:~:text=To%20report%20changes%2C%20call%20Covered,free%20assistance%20in%20your%20area.
    8. 2020 Medi-Cal Annual Redetermination (Form mc210rv-eng) https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/forms/Forms/mc210rv-eng.pdf
    9. 2020 Medi-Cal Property Supplement (Form mc210ps) https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/forms/Forms/mc210ps.pdf
    10. 2020 Medi-Cal Contact Update (Form mc354) https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/forms/Forms/mc354.pdf
    11. HIV Care Options in San Francisco Resource Link: https://www.sfcityclinic.org/services/hiv-prevention-care/hiv-early-care-clinic
    12. San Francisco HIV Navigation Options Resource Link: https://www.sfcityclinic.org/services/hiv-prevention-care/hiv-early-care-clinic
    13. PrEP FACTS from San Francisco AIDS Foundation https://www.prepfacts.org/assets/PrEP_Facts_16-pager_brochure_mech_FINAL.pdf
    14. Website link: https://prepfacts.org/asset-library/
    15. Psychosocial Support Services  (Link Only)  https://sfhivcare.com/hhs-resources/psychosocial-support-services/
    16. San Francisco City Clinic HIV Prevention Care PrEP (Link Only) https://www.sfcityclinic.org/services/hiv-prevention-care/prep
    17. HIV Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HHOME) from San Francisco Community Health Center (Link Only)  https://sfcommunityhealth.org/program/hhome/
    Support Documents for Week One Videos

    Week Two: Open Enrollment Basics Wednesday, October 14, 2020

    • 10:00 am Video Presentation
    • 11:00 am Question & Answer Session with Jason Cinq-Mars, Supervising Attorney for PRC’s Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP)
    2020-2021 SF HIV FOG Open Enrollment Resource Guide – Week 2: Open Enrollment Basics for Medi-Care and Covered California
    1. ACE Marketplace Plan Renewal Flowchart https://targethiv.org/sites/default/files/file-upload/resources/ACE_Marketplace_Plan_Renewal_Flowchart_072020_508.pdf
    2. Covered CA What You’ll Need To Know https://www.coveredca.com/apply/documents-you-will-need/
    3. Covered CA Step-By-Step Guide to Enrolling in Quality Health Coverage: Covered CA Videos to Help You Enroll https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/videos-to-help-you-enroll/, How to Enroll: https://www.coveredca.com/about/
    4.  Health Insurance Renewal Tracking Checklist https://targethiv.org/sites/default/files/file-upload/resources/ACE_Health_Insurance_Renewal_Tracking_Checklist_2017Sept.pdf, Marketplace Plan Renewal Flow Chart https://targethiv.org/sites/default/files/file-upload/resources/ACE_Marketplace_Plan_Renewal_Flowchart_072020_508.pdf
    5. Understanding Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment Periods https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11219-Understanding-Medicare-Part-C-D.pdf
    6. Medicare Things to Think About – Compare Medicare Drug Coverage https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11163-Compare-Medicare-Drug-Coverage.pdf
    7. Medicare & Covered CA: https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/special-circumstances/individuals-on-medicare/, Fact Sheet: https://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/Medicare-CC-Fact-Sheet-English.pdf
    8. Medicare Limited Income NET Program For People with Retroactive Medicaid & SSI Eligibility https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/Partnerships/downloads/11401-P.pdf
    9. AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Eligibility Criteria (Link Only) https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_adap_eligibility.aspx
    10. Office of AIDS Health Insurance Premium Payment (OA-HIPP) Assistance Eligibility, Benefits, and How to apply (Link Only) https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_adap_hipp.aspx
    11. ADAP Contact Information (Link Only) https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OAmain.aspx
    12. ADAP Enrollment Site, Eligibility Workers, & Pharmacies and Interactive Map (Links Only): https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_adap_serviceproviders.aspx#, https://cdphdata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8d08ae9fff0d49f996d855e51fc8d971
    13. Employer-Based Health Insurance Premium Payment (EB-HIPP) (Link Only) https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OA_ADAP_EB-HIPP_Assistance.aspx
    14. Quick Clinical Guide: HIV PrEP Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/CDPH%20Document%20Library/QuickClinicalGuide_PrEP_ADA.pdf
    15. SSA Online Service Listing: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/?utm_content=pressrelease&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

    Week Three: Understanding Covered California Wednesday, October 21, 2020

    • 10:00 am Video Presentation
    • 11:00 am Question & Answer Session with Marc Ross, Bay Area Regional Field Representative for Covered California
     2020-2021 SF HIV FOG Open Enrollment Resource Guide – Week 3: Open Enrollment for Covered California
    1. ACE Health Care Plan Selection Worksheet  https://targethiv.org/sites/default/files/file-upload/resources/ACE_Health_Care_Plan_Selection_Worksheet_Revised_July2020_508_v2.pdf
    2. Covered CA Health Benefits Table 23 https://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/2021-Health-Benefits-table.pdf
    3. Immigration Status and Eligibility Information (English): https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/immigrants/, https://www.coveredca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility/proof-of-immigration-status-or-lawful-presence/
    4. Covered CA Federal Poverty Level (FPL) 2020 Chart https://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/FPL-chart.pdf
    5. Qualified Family Dental Benefits https://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/Adult-Dental-Benefits-2021-comparative.pdf, https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/dental-coverage/family/
    6. Covered CA Application and What Should Bring: Documents to confirm eligibility: https://www.coveredca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility/, How to submit documents to confirm eligibility: https://www.coveredca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility/submit-documents-to-confirm-your-eligibility/, https://targethiv.org/sites/default/files/supporting-files/715_OEpreparation_Links.pdf
    7. 2021 Open Enrollment Client Flyer
    8. Open Enrollment Client Flyer (Spanish)

    2019 OPEN ENROLLMENT HEALTH INSURANCE BOOTCAMP V – Monday, October 7, 2019

    This full-day training focused on helping clients enroll in health care during the 2019/20 Open Enrollment period. Segments will focus on:

    • Health insurance basics
    • Choosing a plan
    • Updates to insurance options (Covered CA, Medi-Cal, Medicare, ADAP)
    • A myriad of breakout sessions on subjects TBD

    2019 OE Boot Camp – Open Enrollment Basics- Choosing a Plan

    2019 10-7 Covered CA 101

    2019 10-7 Advocacy & Activism

    2019 10-7 SF HIV FOG Medi-Cal 101

    2019 10-7 Practical Tips to Navigate Medi-Cal and Large Lump Sum Payments

    2019 10-7 HIV and Dental

    2019 10-7 Medicare Basics by HICAP

    2019 10-7 RTW-Disability Benefits & Health Coverage

    2019 10-7 CAPI PRESENTATION

    Part I Covered Calfornia 2019

    Part II Medicare 2019

    Part III Medi-Cal 2019

    Part IV ADAP & OA-HIPP 2019

    Part V Immigration 2019

    Part VI SF Health Care Options

    Part VII Miscellaneous 2019

    2019 HOUSING 201: Coordinated Entry System

    This full-day training focused on the Coordinated Entry system of San Francisco. Segments focused on housing policy updates, introduction to Coordinated Entry and the primary assessment, prioritization and placement, problem-solving from the Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, and a Client & Worker perspective panel.

    2018 USCA Scholars Report Out

    2019 HIV & Aging – January 31, 2019

    HIV & Aging videos

    Open Enrollment Health Insurance Bootcamp 2018-2019

    This full-day training focused on helping clients enroll into heath care during 2019 Open Enrollment. Segments focused on health insurance basics, choosing a plan, updates to insurance options (Covered CA, Medi-Cal, Medicare, ADAP), and a myriad of breakout sessions on subjects such as navigating clients into care and categorically ineligible clients.

    Download PDF Files:

    Presentation

    Open Enrollment Boot Camp Resource Guide

    Transgender Care and Competency

    This training discussed culturally competent and humble ways of interacting with clients of Trans experience, how to best help clients access healthcare, what problems can arise from insurance, and how to engage clients of Trans experience in mental health care.

    HOUSING 101: SF Housing Options for Low-income People Living with HIV (PLWH)

    This training is going to be a basic overview of San Francisco Housing options. The training will review the history and reflect on the issues of housing and homelessness for HIV + people, along with demographics and statics around the issue.

    Download PDF – SF Housing 101: Presentation

    Download PDF – SF Housing 101: Basic Terminology

    Sex Worker Support

    This training focused on providing clients who perform sex work with compassionate and competent care. Segments included a sex worker youth panel, a panel of clinicians from St. James Infirmary, and a discussion section focused on client scenarios.

    Behavioral Health Engagement for HIV Prevention and Care

    This was a two-part training that addressed the value of screening for mental health care needs and enhancing client motivation to engage in mental health care. At both training days, participants were encouraged to identify go-to mental health referral sites and share them with other participants. The training delved into the details of accessing mental health care through Medi-Cal and provided a roundtable discussion on mental health care access options.

    SF HIV FOG Partnerships

    San Francisco Department of Public Health

    UCSF Positive Health Program