Tag: Katie Jaskolski

MHA Monday Report Feb. 27, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MiCare Champions Healthcare Advocates

The MHA continues to utilize public healthcare ambassadors, referred to as MiCare Champions, to advocate for public policy needs for Michigan hospitals and health systems. The MiCareMatters campaign originally launched in 2017 with the aim …

State Loan Repayment Program Application Period Begins

Applications for the 2023 Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP) will be accepted from March 6-31 through the File Transfer Application System. Providers are strongly encouraged to create an account in the system before starting the application period. The MSLRP assists employers in the recruitment …

Feb. 28 Virtual Training for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Hospital staff are also …

CHAMPS Registration Required for Medicaid Doula Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will reimburse for doula services provided to individuals covered by Medicaid beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Doula providers are required to be registered and approved on the …

The Keckley Report

TPaul Keckleyhe North Carolina Study of Hospital CEO Pay: An Incomplete Picture

“Last Wednesday, North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell released a report alleging 9 prominent North Carolina health systems overpaid their CEOs more than $1.75 billion from 2010 to 2021. …

The issue of CEO compensation is tricky for hospitals because the public’s unaware of how hospitals operate—7/24 serving all comers. In North Carolina, hospitals directly impact 8% of the state’s economy. Understandably, they pay attention to Exec Comp! The Treasurers Report should prompt discussion about the role of hospitals in the state and their future. It’s an incomplete picture. “

Paul Keckley, Feb. 20, 2023

Feb. 28 Virtual Training for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

Member News

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Hospital staff are also encouraged to view a pre-recorded general DSH training prior to the webinar. The pre-recorded training covers general DSH survey instructions and updates, while the Feb. 28 training will cover Michigan-specific requirements, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The following information may be used to join the Michigan-specific webinar:

Join from the meeting link.
Meeting password: 9ovN4X.
Join by phone: 929-352-2629.
Meeting number (access code): 959 209 351#.

Myers and Stauffer also plan to distribute the initial data request for the fiscal year 2020 audits to hospitals Feb. 10 and hospitals will have until March 13 to return the completed survey. 

Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

 

January MA Enrollment Increases by 33,000 Beneficiaries

Member News

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.25 million in January, an increase of 33,000 beneficiaries since October. The January enrollment is spread across 48 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, with approximately 57.8% of Michigan’s 2.17 million Medicare beneficiaries covered by an MA plan. With up to 29 plans covering beneficiaries in some Michigan counties, a significant burden has been created for hospitals, which may be intensified if MA plans conduct their own audits for medical necessity and other utilization issues.

To assist hospitals in identifying which MA plans are currently operating in their region, the MHA has updated the list of plans in each Michigan county, based on January enrollment.

Members with questions may contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 30, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened Jan. 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from MHA multi-client lobbying firm Public Affairs Associates on the new political landscape in Michigan. …

Peters Featured on Paul W. Smith Live from Lansing Broadcast

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio’s Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show Jan. 26 as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. …

MHA and Michigan Hospitals Contribute $45,000 Toward Food Insecurity

The MHA and its member hospitals and health systems contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering in an effort to combat food insecurity throughout the state. The annual campaign organized by the Food Bank Council of Michigan concluded Jan. 25 …

Comments Due for 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution Process

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule Nov. 30 to establish the 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process implementing a formal manner for resolving disputed claims. The ADR process would provide a forum for addressing …

DEA Change in X-Waiver Requirement

President Biden approved the elimination of the DATA Waiver (X-Wavier) requirement and several other prescribing practice changes when he signed Dec. 29 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Changes to prescribing practices include: No longer requiring the X-Waiver to treat …

Virtual Training Offered for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Hospital staff are also encouraged to view a pre-recorded general DSH …

MHA Podcast Explores Working Inside Michigan’s Rural Hospitals

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities. On episode 24, Ross M. Ramsey, MD, president and CEO of Scheurer Health …

The Keckley Report 

Paul KeckleyThe Missing Piece in the Primary Care Physician Shortage Puzzle

“In its latest assessment of the U.S. physician workforce, the venerable Association of Academic Medical Centers (AAMC) projects a shortage of between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. …

The keys to mitigating the primary care shortage are multi-factorial, but technology-enabled self-care must be prioritized as a core competence. It’s the missing piece. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 23, 2023

News to Know

  • The Rural Health Redesign Center, the technical assistance provider chosen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in partnership with Mathematica held a with new information for eligible rural hospitals interested in converting to the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation.
  • The MHA and Comprehensive Reimbursement, Inc. are offering a free Occupational Mix educational webinar at 10 a.m. Jan. 31.

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in The News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 23 regarding the issue of food insecurity, rural healthcare solutions and hospital viability. The MHA contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering during the campaign’s luncheon …

Comments Due for 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution Process

Member News

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule Nov. 30 to establish the 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process implementing a formal manner for resolving disputed claims. The ADR process would provide a forum for addressing overcharges by drug manufacturers and establish a deadline for ADR panel decisions. The ADR process is critical for ensuring integrity of the 340B program, which is vital for hospitals and the vulnerable patients they serve, particularly given the staffing challenges and unprecedented inflationary increases hospitals continue to experience. The MHA drafted its comments and encourages 340B hospitals to review the proposed rule and submit comments by 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Commenters should include the HHS Docket No. “HRSA-2021-000X” when submitting their letters.

Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

Virtual Training Offered for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

Member News

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Hospital staff are also encouraged to view a pre-recorded general DSH training prior to the webinar. The pre-recorded training covers general DSH survey instructions and updates, while the Feb. 28 training will cover Michigan-specific requirements, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The following information may be used to join the Michigan-specific webinar:

Join from the meeting link.
Meeting password: 9ovN4X.
Join by phone: 929-352-2629.
Meeting number (access code): 959 209 351#.

Myers and Stauffer also plan to distribute the initial data request for the fiscal year 2020 audits to hospitals Feb. 10 and hospitals will have until March 13 to return the completed survey. 

Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

 

Federal Court Rules on 340B Underpayment Remedy

Member News

A recent United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruling allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose a remedy for hospital 340B drug underpayments for calendar years 2018 to 2021. This is the latest 340B decision following the late September ruling where the District Court ruled to vacate the 340B payment cuts for the remainder of 2022 and ordered the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to halt the cuts immediately. Hospitals are required to submit adjustments for each 2022 claim paid at the lower rate. However, that prior ruling failed to address claims from 2018 through 2021, with the CMS indicating these years would be addressed in future rulemaking prior to release of the 2024 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule. The 2023 OPPS final rule restored 340B payments to the average sales price (ASP) plus 6%, up from ASP minus 22.5%.

The HHS has indicated a proposed remedy is expected to be released by April. The MHA, along with the American Hospital Association and others, continues to advocate for a remedy that quickly restores payments to hospitals for 2018 through 2021, with interest, and which does not penalize any hospitals.

Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

October MA Enrollment Increases by 17,000 Beneficiaries

Member News

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.22 million in October, an increase of 17,000 beneficiaries since July. The October enrollment is spread across 48 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, with approximately 56.5 percent of Michigan’s 2.15 million Medicare beneficiaries covered by an MA plan. With up to 48 plans covering beneficiaries in some Michigan counties, a significant burden has been created for hospitals, which may be intensified if MA plans conduct their own audits for medical necessity and other utilization issues.

To assist hospitals in identifying which MA plans are currently operating in their region, the MHA has updated the list of plans in each Michigan county, based on July enrollment.

Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

Hospitals Encouraged to Review Medicare Advantage Enrollment Plans

Member News

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.2 million in July, an increase of 15,000 beneficiaries since April. The July MA enrollment is spread across 47 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, with approximately 56% of Michigan’s 2.1 million Medicare beneficiaries covered by an MA plan.

Hospitals are encouraged to carefully review payments from each MA plan to ensure that the plan has paid the correct rates. With up to 30 plans covering beneficiaries in some Michigan counties, a significant burden has been created for hospitals, which may be intensified if MA plans conduct their own audits for medical necessity and other utilization issues.

To assist hospitals in identifying which MA plans are currently operating in their region, the MHA has updated the list of plans in each Michigan county based on July enrollment. In addition to the 47 plans currently licensed in the state, Michigan hospitals often treat patients covered by MA plans licensed in other states, further complicating the payment process. Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Continues to Rise

Member News

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.18 million in April, an increase of 23,000 beneficiaries since January. The April MA enrollment is spread across 46 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, with approximately 56 percent of Michigan’s 2.1 million Medicare beneficiaries covered by an MA plan.

Hospitals are encouraged to carefully review payments from each MA plan to ensure that the plan has paid the correct rates. With up to 31 plans covering beneficiaries in some Michigan counties, a significant burden has been created for hospitals, which may be intensified if MA plans conduct their own audits for medical necessity and other utilization issues.

To assist hospitals in identifying which MA plans are currently operating in their region, the MHA has updated the list of plans in each Michigan county, based on April enrollment.  In addition to the 46 plans currently licensed in the state, Michigan hospitals often treat patients covered by MA plans licensed in other states, further complicating the payment process. Members with questions should contact Katie Jaskolski at the MHA.