In
this issue
Winona
Health president/CEO selected as chair of American Hospital Association’s
Section for Small or Rural Hospitals
Rachelle Schultz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of
Winona Health, will begin serving as chair of the governing council for the
American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in
2017. Her selection for this role was previously announced in Newsline.
“Rural health care is the backbone of our country’s health care system,” said
Schultz. “Those of us who have chosen smaller communities to live, work and
raise our families need viable health care services. The members of the Small
and Rural Hospitals governing council are strong advocates for rural health
care, and I was very pleased to be asked to chair this committee whose mission
I deeply believe in.”
The AHA’s Section for Small or Rural Hospitals provides representation,
advocacy and educational opportunities to help the nation’s small or rural
hospitals better serve the health needs of patients and communities. The
18-member governing council represents small or rural hospitals in the AHA’s
policy process and member services initiatives. In addition, the council
advises the AHA on federal policy issues.
Schultz has more than 25 years’ experience in health care management. At Winona
Health, she oversees a 99-bed acute care hospital, physician clinics, a 120-bed
nursing home, three assisted living residences, hospice program, retail
pharmacies, a foundation and related health care services. return to top
CMS
releases final hospital MOON for implementation by March 8
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has
released the finalized Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON). Beginning
March 8, 2017, hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) must provide the
standard notice to all Medicare beneficiaries who receive outpatient
observation services for more than 24 hours. The notice, required by the Notice
of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act,
informs beneficiaries that they are an outpatient receiving observation
services, not an inpatient, and shares the associated implications for
cost-sharing and eligibility for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility
services.
Elements of Minnesota’s required notice may be incorporated into the MOON to
satisfy both federal and state mandates. Under the state requirements, notice
of outpatient observational status must be given to a patient within 24 hours
after such placement. The MOON requires notice after 24 hours, but before 36
hours or earlier if the patient is discharged. According to CMS, there is no
prohibition on providing the notice before 24 hours, so there is no impact on
existing state requirements.
CMS issued the final policies for implementing the NOTICE Act in August with
the inpatient prospective payment system final rule, but delayed implementation
until 90 days after the updated MOON was posted on its website. More
information and a downloadable copy of the MOON are available on the CMS website.
With questions, contact Briana Nord Parish, policy analyst, MHA,
651-603-3498. return to top
Commit
to participate in HIIN
Thank you to the 104 facilities that have committed to
participate in the MHA Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN).
Facilities that have not yet confirmed their participation are asked to
reaffirm their commitment to this important program by completing the online
HIIN commitment letter via the link that was previously sent to hospital and
health system chief executive officers and primary patient safety contacts.
With questions or to learn more about whether your organization is
participating in the MHA HIIN, contact Tania Daniels, vice president of quality and
patient safety, MHA, 651-603-3517. return to top
Rooms
sold out at MHA Winter Trustee
Conference site
Alternate room block and registration still
available
The MHA Winter Trustee Conference will be held Jan. 6-8, 2017 at the
Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. For more information or
to register, download the conference brochure.
While registration for the conference is still available, the conference site
has completely sold out of rooms. If you plan to attend the conference and need
accommodations, an alternate room block has been set up at the nearby Courtyard
by Marriott Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove.
You can make accommodations at the Courtyard by calling 763-425-5355. Make sure
to mention you are with the Minnesota Hospital Association to get the group
rate (one king bed is $129 and two queen beds is $139). return to top