Category: Issues in Healthcare

Holiday Headline Roundup

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare, Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA received media coverage over the holidays during the weeks of Dec. 18, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Topics covered include the healthcare workforce, the MHA Keystone Center, air ambulance services and a review of 2023.

MHA Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Ruthanne Sudderth spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about registered apprenticeship programs.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include interviews with MHA CEO Brian Peters; Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA; and Sarah Scranton, vice president, safety & quality and executive director, MHA Keystone Center.

Monday, Jan. 1

Saturday, Dec. 30

Thursday, Dec. 21

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Monday, Dec. 18

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Nurse Degree Programs & Telehealth

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Member News
MHA CEO Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 11 related to post-secondary nurse degree programs and telehealth. Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include an interview with MHA CEO Brian Peters.

Thursday, Dec. 14

Tuesday, Dec. 12

Monday, Dec. 11

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Hospital Vaccine Resources Available

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality, Issues in Healthcare

The MHA is at the forefront of advocating for vaccination awareness and education, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with the Beyfortus (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody for infants entering their first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. The association is actively collaborating with stakeholders to navigate reimbursement and supply concerns. A resolution of these issues is being diligently worked towards, with additional manufacturing and distribution channels being explored. Resources on Beyfortus and other vaccinations can be found on the MHA vaccinations webpage.

Additionally, the MHA, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, encourages hospitals and health systems to adopt vaccination policies for healthcare personnel against preventable diseases, especially focusing on COVID-19, influenza and pertussis. There are additional resources on the MHA website for hospitals to assess and improve vaccination protocols.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren with the MHA.

Hospital-based Substance Use Disorder Consultation Reimbursement Coverage

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

Physicians and other qualified practitioners will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) consultations in the inpatient hospital or emergency department setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. These services include assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals during a medically indicated hospital encounter with a co-occurring SUD.

Services provided by non-physician practitioners such as physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses must be performed in compliance with the terms of a collaborative or practice agreement with a physician, consistent with state scope of practice laws.

This service is separate and distinct from inpatient hospital detoxification services currently covered through Medicaid Fee-for-Service or residential treatment provided by a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan. Prior authorization for these services is not required.

Please refer to MMP 23-49 for more information. Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren with the MHA.

Coverage of Office-based Substance Use Treatment Services

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

Primary healthcare providers will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments that are provided in an office-based primary care setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. This applies to providers who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP).

Reimbursement will occur through the Medicaid Fee-for-Service program or through a Medicaid Health Plan, depending upon the beneficiary’s program enrollment status.

Primary healthcare providers include healthcare providers (physicians [MD/DO], nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse midwives) in an office-based setting who are licensed or otherwise trained to provide SUD services and behavioral health providers (licensed psychologist [doctoral level], licensed social worker [master’s level], licensed marriage and family therapist [master’s or doctoral level], licensed professional counselor [master’s or doctoral level], limited licensed psychologist [master’s or doctoral Educational level] under the supervision of an enrolled, fully licensed psychologist [except as noted in Section 333.18223 of the Public Health Code]) who are associated with them, and who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a PIHP.

Please refer to MMP 23-61 for more information including reimbursable services, care coordination, use of medication assisted treatment and other program requirements.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren with the MHA.

Headline Roundup: New Healthcare Violence Prevention Law and More

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Gov. Whitmer signs House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer.
Gov. Whitmer signs House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer.
Gov. Whitmer signs House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 4 on a new law signed by Gov. Whitmer that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer, as well as stories on expanded nursing education opportunities and proposed Medicaid rate increases. The coverage includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing & Healthcare Talent Survey

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with WILX.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with WILX.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with WILX.

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of Nov. 20 and Nov. 27 regarding nurse staffing in hospitals and an Upper Peninsula healthcare provider talent survey. The coverage includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Friday, Nov. 24

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Uplifts National Rural Health Day feat. Munson Healthcare

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast, Issues in Healthcare

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews each month with experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

The November 2023 episode, released on National Rural Health Day, features Small and Rural Hospital Council Chair Peter Marinoff, president and CEO of Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) Southern Region. Marinoff is joined by Lauren LaPine, senior director of legislative and public policy at the MHA.

Marinoff, who joined MHC in 1999, currently oversees Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Manistee Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. LaPine, in addition to overseeing the Small and Rural Hospital Council, serves as staff secretary to the MHA’s Behavioral Health Integration Council and Public Health Task Force.

Throughout the episode, Marinoff and LaPine explore the unique challenges facing Michigan’s rural hospitals; what rural issues are being prioritized at the state and federal level; how MHC is prioritizing the well-being of their workforce and communities; and how decision-makers can support rural communities.

While discussing the behavioral health needs of rural residents, Marinoff details MHC’s work with the Regional Community Health Opioid Initiative, which was featured in the MHA’s 2023 Community Benefit Report. The program improves access to Substance Use Disorder treatment and resources while addressing stigma, ensuring safe prescribing and educating patients and providers.

MHA CEO Brian Peters also released a statement for National Rural Health Day celebrating the work of Michigan’s small and rural hospitals and health systems, where teams are often tasked with caring for some of the state’s most vulnerable patients with less resources than their urban counterparts.

The episode is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Questions or idea submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes can be sent to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA. To learn more about small and rural health efforts at the MHA, visit the rural health webpage or contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Issues Statement on National Rural Health Day

Issues in Healthcare, News Releases
MHA CEO Brian Peters

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

“As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, we want to express our gratitude to all our rural hospitals that play a key role in ensuring the health and wellness of rural Michigan. Not only do rural hospitals provide high quality, safe care, but they also are local economic leaders, often serving as one of, if not the, largest employer in town. While they experience many challenges, our state is fortunate to have a collection of strong rural hospitals focused on maintaining access to important healthcare services while doing everything they can to benefit their local communities.”

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing Committee Hearing Recap

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 regarding a committee hearing on proposed nurse staffing ratio legislation. Additional topics covered include hospital market activity, rural emergency hospitals, behavioral health, the state’s STEMI system and the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.

The coverage includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters, as well as MHA board member Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; and Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel also appears in an American Hospital Association podcast episode.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Nov. 16

Friday, Nov. 10

Thursday, Nov. 9

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Monday, Nov. 6

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.