Tag: CAH

Reporting AUR Module Data Session Available

Member News

Effective in 2024, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals are required to report Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) as part of the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange objective of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Promoting Interoperability Program.

NHSN is hosting an Office Hours session March 7 at 3 p.m., which will include a brief presentation and time for Q+A. Registration for this session is required.

Members can find more resources on reporting AUR data on the CDC website.

Members with questions can contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

HHS Submits Information Blocking Disincentives Proposed Rule

Member News

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently submitted a proposed rule outlining penalties providers would face if they do not appropriately share patient data as outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act.

Under this rule, if the Office of Inspector General (OIG) determines that a hospital, including critical access hospitals (CAHs), has engaged in information blocking, significant penalties are triggered. For eligible hospitals, this could mean losing a part of their Medicare payments, specifically the three-quarters of the annual market basket increase typically associated with being a meaningful user of electronic health records. Penalties for CAHS would be in the form of a reduction in payment to 100% of reasonable costs, down from the usual 101%, during the applicable year.

HHS will hold an information session on the proposed rule Nov. 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET. Members are encouraged to provide comments by  Jan. 3, 2024.

Members with questions should contact Jim Lee at the MHA.

MHA Webinar Series Reviews Critical Access Hospitals CMS CoPs Requirements

Member News

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments must follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The CMS Critical Access Hospital Manual has seen multiple changes to regulations and interpretive guidelines. Since a hospital’s payment is based on compliance with the conditions, it is imperative hospitals make the necessary changes to remain in compliance.

The MHA Health Foundation webinar series Critical Access Hospitals Conditions of Participation: Ensuring Compliance is a five-part series that will review in detail the updated requirements and changes for CAHs. The webinars are scheduled for Jan. 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7 and 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Members can register for individual sessions for $195 or the full series for $780.

Members with questions should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.