Tag: Kelsey Ostergren

Final Medicaid Bulletin on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a final Medicaid Policy Bulletin May 1 with revisions to the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) Policy.

In response to the proposed policy issued April 1, the MHA submitted a comment letter, offering seven recommended changes. Three of the seven changes the MHA suggested were adopted in the final policy:

  • Removal of a daily blood glucose testing requirement.
  • Removal of provider documentation requirements for the daily number of finger-stick tests prescribed.
  • Changing the requirement for diabetes self-management education from annual to bi-annual. This requirement became optional.

The additional suggestions not adopted include:

  • Removal of the provider documentation requirement for daily frequency of insulin administered.
  • Removal of the provider documentation requirement for beneficiary treatment plan and compliance.
  • Update the 90-day provider documentation requirement to align with the bi-annual monitoring requirement for CGMS.
  • Add Type II diabetes as a condition where prior authorization is not required.

This policy will go into effect June 1, 2023.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

New MHA Resource Outlines Scope of Practice for RNs & LPNs

Member News

To help members understand the difference in scope of practice between licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) under the Michigan Public Health Code, the MHA has developed a new member resource, Understanding LPN and RN Scope of Practice.

This resource outlines specific job functions that RNs and LPNs can perform as outlined in the Michigan Public Health Code, The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Administrative Rules of Nursing, as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation for hospitals and critical access hospitals.

The guidance may be helpful as facilities experience staffing shortages and evaluate job functions for qualified medical personnel.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

Upcoming Grant Deadline for Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Programs

Member News

The MHA issued a request for proposal (RFP) March 16 for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2023 state budget with the goal to increase the number of beds available to care for pediatric psychiatric patients requiring inpatient hospitalization. Applications are due to the MHA by 11:59 p.m. on June 1.

The grant program will issue funds to entities across the state of Michigan for either the expansion of existing programs or development of new ones. The RFP and supporting materials are available for members interested in applying for grant funding:

The MHA hosted a webinar April 11 to review the grant program. The session recording, presentation slides and a list of frequently asked questions are available to assist with the grant development process.

The MHA will accept online applications on a rolling, quarterly basis until funds are exhausted, beginning with the first application cycle that closes June 1. No emailed or hard copy applications will be accepted. Each organization is eligible to apply for up to $25 million.

Copies of the grant RFP materials and the online application are also available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

New MHA Resource Outlines Changing Public Health Emergency Flexibilities

Member News

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will expire May 11, 2023. The end of the PHE will eliminate several pandemic flexibilities, while others have been extended by Congress.

To help members understand the steps they should take to prepare for the end of the PHE, the MHA recently developed an End of the Public Health Emergency Resource Document. This resource outlines key changes once the PHE ends and the flexibilities extended past the expiration of the PHE. These changes and flexibilities relate to Medicaid Redetermination, telemedicine, COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatments, and other COVID-19 waivers.

For additional resources and information related to the end of the PHE, please visit the MHA COVID-19 Public Health Emergency webpage.

Members with questions should contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report April 10, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Annual Meeting iconMHA Annual Membership Meeting Registration Opens

The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 28 through 30 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The annual meeting will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers, including …

Public Health Emergency Michigan Provider Licensing Guidance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is set to end the federal Public Health Emergency May 11. At that time, the special privileges and exemptions Michigan extended to licensed healthcare facilities and providers …

Webinar Focuses on Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Grant

The MHA is hosting a webinar 11 a.m. to noon April 11 to discuss the $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. …

MDHHS Releases Proposed Policy on REH Reimbursement

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed policy to establish Medicaid reimbursement methodology for hospitals that convert to the new rural emergency hospital provider type. Critical access hospitals …

Trustee Webinars Focus on Healthcare Trends and Advocacy Strategies

Recent media headlines declare hospitals are in reasonably good shape financially due to pandemic funding, Medicare and insurer overpayments, and price-gauging. While hospital leaders have data proving extreme financial pressures, the cumulative effect of this …

MHA Human Resources Member Forum Registration Deadline April 19

The MHA will host the in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option as well. The forum is structured as a …

CMS Releases FY 2024 Proposed Rule for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities for federal fiscal year 2024. Key provisions of the proposal include: Rebasing the …

MHA Webinar Highlights PACE Model of Care

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a capitated model of care that provides community-based care to seniors who are eligible for nursing homes. PACE is responsible for primary, acute and long-term-care …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyHas U.S. Healthcare Reached its Tipping Point?

“At a meeting with hospital system CEOs last Wednesday, one asked: “has healthcare reached the tipping point?”  I replied ‘not yet but it’s getting close.’ …

I am not a fatalist: the future for healthcare is brighter than its past, but not for everyone. Strategies predicated on protecting the past are obsolete. Strategies that consider consumers incapable of active participation in the delivery and financing of their care are archaic. Strategies that depend on unbridled consolidation and opaque pricing are naïve. And strategies that limit market access for non-traditional players are artifacts of the gilded age gone by when each sector protected its own against infidels outside. ….”

Paul Keckley, April 3, 2023

News to Know

  • Registration still open for April 13 MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference.
  • The Root Cause Coalition is accepting requests for proposals to present at the 8th Annual National Summit on the Social Determinants of Health Dec. 3-5 in Kansas City.

Brian PetersMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of April 3 regarding the preparedness of hospital for another pandemic and how hospital and health system merger and acquisition activity impacts healthcare. ABC News published a story …

Webinar Focuses on Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Grant

Member News

The MHA is hosting a webinar from 11 a.m. to noon April 11 to discuss the $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. This funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2023 state budget with the goal to increase the number of beds available to care for pediatric psychiatric patients requiring inpatient hospitalization.

Representatives from the MHA will present on specifics related to the grant and the request for proposal (RFP) process. Members will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Registration is required for the webinar.

The grant program will issue funds to entities across the state of Michigan for either the expansion of existing programs or development of new ones. The RFP and supporting materials are available for members interested in applying for grant funding:

The MHA will accept online applications on a rolling, quarterly basis until funds are exhausted. The first round of applications is due to the MHA by 11:59 p.m. on June 1. All applications will be blindly reviewed and scored to determine funding allocations. Each organization is eligible to apply for up to $25 million. No emailed or hard copy applications will be accepted.

Copies of the grant RFP materials and the online application are also available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage.

Members with questions about the webinar and the RFP may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

News to Know – March 27, 2023

Member News
  • Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference. The all-day event will take place April 13 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. The free event will provide participants hands-on learning about how safe, early and continuous mobility can help achieve better patient outcomes. Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.
  • The MHA is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The grant program will issue funds to entities across the state of Michigan for either the expansion of existing programs or development of new ones. Copies of the grant RFP materials and the online application are also available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage. Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.
  • The MHA Health Foundation will host a four-part webinar series MHA Board Governance Education that outlines the trends affecting current and future strategic plans, techniques for effectively communicating with stakeholders on key issues and ways to build trust, drive engagement and develop relationships. The webinars are scheduled for April 19, May 9 and May 23 from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Members with questions about registration should contact Erica Leyko at MHA.
  • The MHA will host an in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos from 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option available as well. The forum is structured as a round table with human resources and MHA leaders moderating a discussion among attendees around the Great Resignation of the healthcare workforce and ideas and solutions to combat workforce challenges. Members with questions about membership or registration should contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.
  • The Root Cause Coalition (TRCC) is accepting requests for proposals to present at the 8th Annual National Summit on the Social Determinants of Health Dec. 3-5 in Kansas City. Proposals are being accepted for breakout sessions and poster presentations. Organizations with proven, measurable solutions that address health equity and collectively chart an intentional, meaningful and measurable path for progress are encouraged to submit. Members with questions can contact Lori Bennett at the TRCC.

RFP Available for Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Grant

Member News

The MHA is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2023 state budget with the goal to increase the number of beds available to care for pediatric psychiatric patients requiring inpatient hospitalization.

The grant program will issue funds to entities across the state of Michigan for either the expansion of existing programs or development of new ones. Every effort will be made to award grant dollars to organizations in a geographically diverse manner to ensure equitable access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services.

The following materials and templates are available for members interested in applying for grant funding:

The MHA will accept online applications on a rolling, quarterly basis until funds are exhausted. The first round of applications is due to the MHA by 11:59 p.m. on June 1. All applications will be blindly reviewed and scored to determine funding allocations. Each organization is eligible to apply for up to $25 million. No emailed or hard copy applications will be accepted.

Copies of the grant RFP materials and the online application are also available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage.

The MHA will also host a webinar from 11 a.m. to noon April 11 to discuss the grant application in further detail and answer questions about the process.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

MDHHS Candida auris Patient Transfer Recommendations

Member News

Candida auris (C. auris) cases have been reported in multiple healthcare facilities in Michigan, including acute care hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Auris is a yeast pathogen that can cause serious illness or invasive infections, including bloodstream infections. C. auris can spread from colonized or infected patients to the hands and clothes of healthcare personnel or to medical equipment and environmental surfaces, which may contribute to the spread of C. auris among patients in healthcare facilities.

With a continued increase in C. auris cases across Southeast Michigan, receiving healthcare facilities should take steps to learn a patient’s C. auris status and be prepared to implement setting-appropriate precautions when needed for C. auris, as they would for other multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO).

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Michigan healthcare facilities across the continuum implement the following infection prevention and control measures to prevent the spread of C. auris:

MDHHS also recommends the following measures for interfacility patient transfers:

  • Review both internal and external protocols to ensure the appropriate persons (including case managers, admissions coordinators, front-line clinical HCP, and transporters) are made aware of a patients’ C. auris and other MDRO status upon transfer.
  • Use an interfacility transfer form to communicate infection prevention information for all discharges to other settings. For Facility Transfer Resources and more information on HAIs, please go to Michigan.gov/HAI.

To learn more about C. auris contact the MDHHS Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistance Pathogens (SHARP) Unit. Members are encouraged to register for future SHARP webinars about C. auris.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.