Tag: substance use disorder

Senate Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Opioid Settlement Dollars

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Senate Appropriations Department of Health and Human Services Subcommittee convened March 28 to hear testimony on the state’s opioid settlement dollars. Testimony began with Amy Dolinky, technical adviser for opioid settlement funds at the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), providing an overview of the MAC’s role in supporting the distribution of settlement dollars through county governments. She stressed the importance of utilizing the evidence-based strategies and principles outlined by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for spending of opioid settlement dollars. Next to provide testimony was Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, and Amy Epkey, senior deputy director of financial operations, both representing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). MDHHS used the opportunity to provide an overview of opioid settlement spending, to date.

Last to provide testimony was Dr. Cara Anne Poland, chair of the Opioid Settlement Commission (OAC), Hon. Jamie Stuck, OAC Commissioner representing Tribal Nations and Tara King, coordinator of the OAC. The testimony from the OAC centered around the challenges and barriers the OAC encounters coordinating opioid settlement work with MDHHS. Additionally, the OAC representatives provided an overview of the soon-to-be-released OAC 2024 Annual Report.

The MHA submitted written testimony advocating for the distribution of opioid settlement funds to communities most impacted by opioid and substance use disorder. The testimony also included a list of specific ways the legislators could allocate funds to improve treatment options for patients impacted by opioid and substance use.

Members with questions should contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Dec. 18, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage to Include CHW Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an expansion of Medicaid coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024 to include community health worker (CHW) services. The MDHHS also issued a final policy establishing …

Hospital-based Substance Use Disorder Consultation Reimbursement Coverage

Physicians and other qualified practitioners will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) consultations in the inpatient hospital or emergency department setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. These services include assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals during …

Coverage of Office-based Substance Use Treatment Services

Primary healthcare providers will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments that are provided in an office-based primary care setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. This applies to providers who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a Prepaid .…

Guide and Action Plan Created to Support Health Equity Programming

As strides are made to address inequities and disparities in healthcare, governing and regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have created guidelines, benchmarks and policies that evolve over time. The MHA Keystone …

Enrollment Deadline Friday for MHA Governance Affinity Group

The deadline to enroll a trustee in the new MHA Governance Affinity Group is Friday, Dec. 22. The benefits of a well-run meeting go beyond parliamentary procedure. Proper communication and facilitation skills needed to make decisions about strategic issues drive performance and .…

Hospital Vaccine Resources Available

The MHA is at the forefront of advocating for vaccination awareness and education, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with the Beyfortus (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody for infants entering their first respiratory syncytial virus season. The association is …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines the Board’s Role in Patient Experience

The December edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article on the board’s role in patient experience. The average hospital has turned over 105% of its workforce in the last five years and national …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Affordable Care Act is Back on Stage: What to Expect

“In the last 2 weeks, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been inserted itself in Campaign 2024 by Republican aspirants for the White House …

It’s no surprise. Health costs and affordability rank behind the economy as top issues for Republican voters per the latest Kaiser Tracking Poll. And distaste with the status quo is widespread and bipartisan: per the Keckley Poll (October 2023), 70% of Americans including majorities in both parties and age-cohorts under 65 think “the system is fundamentally flawed and needs major change.” To GOP voters, the ACA is to blame. …

The ACA is back on the radar in U.S. healthcare. Stay tuned.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 10, 2023

News to Know

  • Clarence RuckerClarence Rucker, manager, patient safety and quality, MHA Keystone Center, is featured in COLOR Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Powerlist.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 8.

 

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 11 related to post-secondary nurse degree programs and telehealth.

Hospital-based Substance Use Disorder Consultation Reimbursement Coverage

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

Physicians and other qualified practitioners will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) consultations in the inpatient hospital or emergency department setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. These services include assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals during a medically indicated hospital encounter with a co-occurring SUD.

Services provided by non-physician practitioners such as physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses must be performed in compliance with the terms of a collaborative or practice agreement with a physician, consistent with state scope of practice laws.

This service is separate and distinct from inpatient hospital detoxification services currently covered through Medicaid Fee-for-Service or residential treatment provided by a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan. Prior authorization for these services is not required.

Please refer to MMP 23-49 for more information. Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren with the MHA.

Coverage of Office-based Substance Use Treatment Services

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

Primary healthcare providers will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments that are provided in an office-based primary care setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. This applies to providers who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP).

Reimbursement will occur through the Medicaid Fee-for-Service program or through a Medicaid Health Plan, depending upon the beneficiary’s program enrollment status.

Primary healthcare providers include healthcare providers (physicians [MD/DO], nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse midwives) in an office-based setting who are licensed or otherwise trained to provide SUD services and behavioral health providers (licensed psychologist [doctoral level], licensed social worker [master’s level], licensed marriage and family therapist [master’s or doctoral level], licensed professional counselor [master’s or doctoral level], limited licensed psychologist [master’s or doctoral Educational level] under the supervision of an enrolled, fully licensed psychologist [except as noted in Section 333.18223 of the Public Health Code]) who are associated with them, and who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a PIHP.

Please refer to MMP 23-61 for more information including reimbursable services, care coordination, use of medication assisted treatment and other program requirements.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren with the MHA.

2023 Ludwig Nominee: Munson Healthcare Expanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Recovery in Northern Michigan

Member News

Since 1990, the MHA has honored member healthcare organizations working to enrich the overall welfare of their local communities through the Ludwig Community Benefit Award. This year, the MHA is excited to showcase all award nominees, highlighting the exceptional and creative work being accomplished by Michigan’s hospitals.

Munson Healthcare (MHC), a 2023 nominee, is advancing the health of northern Michigan communities through the Regional Community Health Opioid Initiative, which offers resources for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery. This includes efforts to address stigma, ensure safe prescribing and educate both patients and providers.

In a 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, SUD was identified as a top concern in the regions Munson serves. The issue affects people from all demographics, income levels and educational backgrounds. Although SUDs are common, recurrent and often serious, treatment options in rural Northern Michigan are limited. In many cases, patients seeking help are tasked with travelling several hours for treatment or go without care because of this barrier.

The MHC initiative improves access to treatment by providing on-demand resources in the emergency and inpatient setting while reducing SUD-related medical complications through offerings like take-home naloxone for at-risk individuals. The health system also focuses on fostering community partnerships; implementing stigma reduction campaigns, staff education and peer recovery coaching; expanding harm reduction and enhancing suicide prevention efforts.

In addition to serving the residents of Grand Traverse, Wexford, Manistee, Kalkaska, Antrim and Otsego counties, MHC teams hope to expand programming into more areas where SUD resources are limited or not available. Simultaneously, they are working to share best practices for treatment with regional primary care clinics and extend long-term recovery resources for Michiganders.

Members with questions about the program or the Ludwig Community Benefit Award should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.