Tag: opioid

Survey Published for Opioid Use Disorder Contacts

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

In preparation for the state’s anticipated grant program to implement an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD) program, the MHA is asking all members to fill out a short survey by Sept. 23 to provide contact information for those within each member organization who support OUD work.

The Michigan Senate and House recently both passed Senate Bill 597, which requires all Michigan emergency departments who do not otherwise opt-out to implement an ED MOUD program. The governor has not yet signed the bill into law, but the MHA anticipates Gov. Whitmer will sign the bill in the coming months.

While ED MOUD programming currently exists and many Michigan hospitals are already implementing it, the bill will require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a grant program to provide financial support to emergency departments to implement ED MOUD programs. This funding will be available only to those with more than 50 overdose encounters a year. Hospitals will be required to either opt-out or complete an application for funding. As such, the MHA Keystone Center – which has been working closely with Michigan hospitals currently implementing the ED MOUD program – is preparing to support members once the bill is signed. Given the anticipated tight turnaround to complete paperwork, it is imperative for the MHA Keystone Center to have the appropriate contacts to aid in the registration or opt-out process.

Members with questions about the requirements can reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

 

Michigan Legislature Continues Work on Budget, Opioid Settlement Funds

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Michigan House Appropriations Committee reported out April 26 their budget recommendation for the fiscal year 2023 budget beginning Oct. 1. House Bill (HB) 5784 protects hospital priorities, including maintaining funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan, graduate medical education, disproportionate share hospitals, the rural access pool and obstetrical stabilization fund, and critical access hospital rates.

The committee recommendation also includes $264 million to expand capacity of behavioral health providers in Michigan. Of that appropriation, $85 million would be dedicated to enhancing state bed capacity for pediatric patients, $84 million would be provided to hospitals to expand various behavioral health programming, and the remainder would go toward other behavioral health care settings such as crisis stabilization units. In addition, the committee proposes increasing rates for Medicaid neonatal care services by 5%. The full House is expected to consider the committee proposals the week of May 2, and the MHA will keep members apprised of hospital budget priorities.

The full House of Representatives voted April 28 to support HBs 5968, 5969 and 5970, which would help guide Michigan’s use of new funding from the $26 billion national opioid settlement. This comes after the Senate passed identical legislation that was introduced as Senate Bills 993, 994 and 995. Either version of the bills could ultimately be sent to the governor’s desk for signature.

Michigan is estimated to receive $776 million from the settlement, and these legislative packages are intended to plan and prepare for the state to spend those funds wisely. The packages would create a new restricted fund for the state to house the settlement dollars, establish a new advisory commission appointed by the Legislature and governor to oversee spending, and prohibit future civil lawsuits related to claims covered by this fund. The MHA is currently working to identify treatment and prevention priorities for feedback on the spending of the funds and will keep members informed on the legislation’s progress.

Questions on these issues or other state legislation related to healthcare can be directed to Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Senate Moves Appropriations Subcommittee Budgets and Advances Opioid Settlement Legislation

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services reported out April 20 their budget recommendation for the fiscal year 2023 budget beginning Oct. 1. Senate Bill 828 protects hospital priorities including maintaining funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan, graduate medical education, disproportionate share hospitals, the rural access pool and obstetrical stabilization fund, and critical access hospital rates. In addition, the subcommittee proposes increasing rates for primary care services to 95% of Medicare reimbursement for those services for an additional $94 million per year. The Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs also reported their budget recommendation and included a key MHA priority that would fund an office dedicated to expanding the number of foreign-born healthcare workers in Michigan. The full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to consider the subcommittee proposals the week of April 25 and the MHA will keep members apprised of hospital budget priorities.

The full Michigan Senate voted April 21 to support Senate Bills 993, 994 and 995, which would help guide Michigan’s use of new funding from the $26 billion national opioid settlement. The bills now head to the House, where identical legislation was introduced as House Bills 5968, 5969 and 5970.

Michigan is estimated to receive $776 million from the settlement, and these legislative packages are intended to plan and prepare for the state to spend those funds wisely. The packages would create a new restricted fund for the state to house the settlement dollars, establish a new advisory commission appointed by the Legislature and governor to oversee spending, and prohibit future civil lawsuits related to claims covered by this fund. The MHA is currently working to identify treatment and prevention priorities for feedback on the legislation and will continue to monitor any progress.

Questions on this issue or other state legislation related to healthcare can be directed to Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Application Closing Soon for ED Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative

Patient Safety and Quality

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) has launched an Emergency Department (ED) Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative and funding opportunity for Michigan hospitals. The initiative aims to increase access to evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder and support the transition to long-term, office-based treatment upon discharge. More information about the initiative is available in an online video.

The application opened Jan. 3 and will close Jan. 21. Applications submitted after Jan. 21 may be accepted on a rolling basis if grant funds remain. Grant funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility will be determined by the number of encounters each hospital has annually to treat patients for opioid-related overdoses. Eligible hospitals are encouraged to coordinate and apply as a system. If two or more eligible hospitals from the same system are interested in applying, they are encouraged to contact the CFSEM to discuss the possibility of applying as a system. Eligibility for grant funding is outlined as follows:

  • Hospitals with more than 100 encounters annually are eligible for technical assistance and up to $150,000.
  • Hospitals with 50-100 encounters annually are eligible for technical assistance and up to $75,000.
  • Hospitals with fewer than 50 encounters annually are eligible for technical assistance and are strongly encouraged to contact the CFSEM if interested. Currently, hospitals with fewer than 50 encounters annually are ineligible for funding.

For the most current information, application instructions and grant guidelines, visit the CFSEM website. Members may contact the MHA Keystone Center with questions and email CFSEM to learn more or to request a meeting to discuss this opportunity.

Input Needed on Allocation of Opioid Settlement Funding

Member News

The MHA and its member hospitals have been heavily committed to addressing the misuse of prescription drugs, which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the MHA continues to work with stakeholders on passing current legislation to expand treatment access related to opioid use disorders, it also supports gathering ideas on best ways to assist and increase care options for this patient population.

Therefore, the MHA has responded to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) survey asking healthcare stakeholders for input on the allocation of settlement dollars from several lawsuits against manufacturers and distributers of opioids. The results will shape the administration’s proposals to the Legislature for establishing a fund that directs settlement dollars to support substance use services and abate harm created by opioids.

Members are encouraged to complete the survey to provide the administration with hospital input on how these funds could support the best patient outcomes and sustained recovery. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Members may also share the survey with other community stakeholders they believe can provide valuable input on how the settlement funds can best assist in treating and preventing OUD. Questions can be emailed to the MDHHS Opioids Task Force or Paige Fults at the MHA.

CMS Releases Proposed Rule on Physician Fee Schedule

Uncategorized

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the calendar year 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. The rule proposes a conversion factor of $33.58, a decrease of $1.31 from the calendar year 2021 conversion factor of $34.89. The updated conversion factor is budget neutral to account for changes in relative value units and the expiration of the 3.75% payment increase provided in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The proposed rule also includes provisions to expand telehealth for mental health services and include coverage for audio-only services in certain instances. Highlights for the proposed rule include the following:

  • Telehealth Services: The CMS continues to evaluate the temporary expansion of telehealth services that were added to the telehealth list during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The CMS proposes certain telehealth services remain on the list until Dec. 31, 2023, so there is a glide path to evaluate whether the services should be permanently added to the telehealth list. The agency is proposing including audio-only communication when used for telehealth services for the diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of mental health disorders furnished to established patients in their homes. It is also proposing to require use of a new modifier for services furnished using audio-only communications.
  • Medicare Shared Savings Program: The CMS is proposing to freeze the quality performance standard for program year 2023 and revise the methodology for calculating repayment mechanism amounts for risk-based accountable care organizations. The Quality Payment Program Fact Sheet provides additional details.
  • Vaccine Administration Services: The proposed rule includes a comment solicitation to obtain information on the costs involved in furnishing preventive vaccines, with the goal to inform the development of more accurate rates for these services.
  • Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Payment Policy: The CMS is proposing to allow OTPs to furnish counseling and therapy services via audio-only interaction after the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency in cases where audio/video communication is not available to the beneficiary.
  • Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS): The CMS is proposing certain exceptions to the EPCS, which requires electronic prescribing of controlled substances for schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances covered through Medicare Part D.
  • Requiring Certain Manufacturers to Report Drug Pricing Information for Part B: The CMS is proposing to make regulatory changes to implement the new reporting requirements for drug manufacturers with Medicaid Drug Rebate Agreements.
  • Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: The CMS is seeking comments on policies for specimen collection fees and the travel allowances for homebound patients and inpatients (not in a hospital).

Comments on the proposal are due Sept. 13. Members with questions should contact Renée Smiddy at the MHA.