Sept 1 Deadline for Wage and Occupational Mix Survey Data Revisions

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a corrected public use file (PUF) Aug. 14 containing wage and occupational mix survey data being used to develop the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Medicare wage index, which will take effect Oct. 1, 2024. The MHA urged the CMS to release the corrected PUF for hospital review following an error in the July PUF that resulted in reflecting 0 for nursing aide salary and hours for many hospitals. The MHA also recently provided hospitals with updated reports that included the corrected PUF data.

Hospitals can submit requests for any changes to their wage and 2022 occupational mix survey data until Sept. 1. The MHA encourages hospitals to review their data and submit requests for any changes, along with supporting documentation, to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by Sept. 1.

Members with questions should contact Vickie Kunz at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report July 31, 2023

MHA Monday Report

Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Scheduled

MHA chief nursing officers and other Michigan hospital leaders are encouraged to register for Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in …


CMS Releases Medicare Physician Fee Schedule CY 2024 Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year (CY) 2024 proposed rule for the physician fee schedule. The rule proposes a decrease to the conversion factor by 3.34%, to $32.75 in …


Toolkit Created to Strengthen Caregiver Support Programs

The MHA Keystone Center recently released the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit to guide hospitals and health systems implementing and maintaining caregiver navigation programs. These initiatives are designed to support caregivers in their role by providing …


CMS Releases Occupational Mix Data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released July 12 the fiscal year 2025 Hospital Wage Index Development Timetable, a public use file (PUF). The PUF contains data reported by prospective payment system hospitals on …


AI and Workforce Development Webinar Series Offers CME Credit

The MHA and other state hospital associations are hosting a webinar series in partnership with the Huron Consulting Group Aug. 10 through Nov. 9 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST. CME and continuing education credit …


Corewell Health’s Freese Decker Named AHA Chair-elect Designate

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees elected Tina Freese Decker, president & chief executive officer, Corewell Health as its Chair-elect Designate July 16. Freese Decker will be Chair-elect in 2024 and become the …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Four Issues that will Impact Healthcare Services Providers and Insurers Most in the Last Half of 2023 and First Half of 2024

“As first half 2023 financial results are reported and many prepare for a busy last half, strategic planning for healthcare services providers and insurers point to 4 issues requiring attention in every boardroom and C suite …

These issues frame the near-term context for strategic planning in every sector of U.S. healthcare. They do not define the long-term destination of the system nor roles key sectors and organizations will play. That’s unknown. …”

Paul Keckley, July 24, 2023

CMS Releases Occupational Mix Data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released July 12 the FY 2025 Hospital Wage Index Development Timetable, a public use file (PUF). The PUF contains data reported by prospective payment system hospitals on the 2022 occupational mix (OM) survey submitted to the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) by June 30. The 2022 OM data will be used to adjust the Medicare wage index for fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The MHA provided updated hospital wage data worksheets that include the 2022 OM data based on the July 12 PUF. Hospitals are encouraged to review both the wage and OM data and submit all requests for changes, along with supporting documentation, to the MAC by Sept. 1, 2023.

The MHA recently became aware of an issue with the latest PUF that has resulted in 0 being reflected for nursing aide dollars and hours for a significant number of Michigan hospitals. The MHA is currently working with the CMS and American Hospital Association on a resolution. The MHA has also urged the CMS to release a corrected PUF as soon as possible. 

The MHA hosted an educational webinar in late June to assist hospitals with the annual data review process with materials available upon request. Members with questions regarding the OM or wage data should contact Vickie Kunz at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 30, 2023

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 …

News to Know – Jan. 30, 2023

  • 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. Presenters shared new information regarding the REH Additional Facility Payment Methodology, as well as information regarding timelines and important considerations for hospitals that are considering converting to REH status. Members considering the REH designation should review the slides and fact sheet. Members with questions should contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA .
  • The MHA and Comprehensive Reimbursement, Inc. are offering a free Occupational Mix educational webinar at 10 a.m. Jan. 31. Login information for the Zoom event will be provided upon registration, which is required. Members with questions regarding the registration process should contact Crystal Mitchell. Members with questions regarding the occupational mix survey or Medicare wage index should contact Vickie Kunz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MHA Monday Report Jan. 23, 2023

MHA Monday Report

LARA Updates Implicit Bias Training Rules

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently released the final draft of the Public Health Code – General Rules to allow asynchronous teleconference or webinars as acceptable modality of training as part of the implicit bias training standards. ..


MHA Offering Occupational Mix Survey Webinar

The MHA is hosting an educational webinar 10 a.m. Jan. 31 to assist hospitals in completing the 2022 occupational mix survey. The webinar is available free of charge but registration is required. The survey must be submitted to the Medicare …


Nominations Open for 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The valuable role of Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is unmistakable. Brave personnel throughout these facilities have worked for three years to care for the staggering number of patients through their doors. Even during these difficult …


Registration Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Academy

The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program on March 13-15 and May 15-16. With 10 years of history helping medical professionals lead more effectively, the program focuses on developing a new generation of healthcare leaders. …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on 2023 Priorities and Population Health

As more evidence points to the impact of social determinants of health and the lack of progress on achieving notable healthcare quality aims, hospital boards need to continue to reframe what governance leadership and excellence should look like. The January …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyHCA Mission Hospital: A Predictable Shot by SEIU or Something Bigger?

“Last Thursday, NBC News reported that HCA Healthcare, the nation’s second biggest hospital operator, was guilty of nurse under-staffing at Asheville NC Mission Hospital endangering patient care. The 182- hospital chain countered its hospitals operated safely as evidenced by earning A/B from Leapfrog in 80% of its hospitals. …

In one respect, Mission is a case study applicable to every hospital in the U.S. health system. Pressure to reduce operating costs and increase revenue is a constant. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 16, 2023


News to Know

Hospital leadership and key decision-makers will gather June 28-30 for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting on Mackinac Island. …

MHA Offering Occupational Mix Survey Webinar

The MHA is hosting an educational webinar at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 to assist hospitals in completing the 2022 occupational mix survey. The webinar is available free of charge but registration is required.

The survey must be submitted to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30, 2023. Hospitals are required to complete the survey every three years, with results from the 2022 survey being used to adjust the Medicare wage index for fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Hospitals are encouraged to review their completed 2019 survey and determine whether there have been payroll changes, new job codes or job descriptions added, etc., to streamline the completion process when sorting the required 2022 data into the various occupational mix categories. It is important to note that contact labor should be included in the various categories of the survey.

Members with questions should contact Vickie Kunz at the MHA. Members needing assistance with registration should contact Crystal Mitchell at the MHA.