Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

January 29, 2018

MHA Newsline: Jan. 29, 2018

In this issue 

Hospitals contribute $4.9 billion in uncompensated care, health improvement programs to Minnesota communities

Past five years have seen nearly $1 billion increase in community benefit  
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems contributed nearly $4.9 billion in programs and services in 2016 to benefit the health of their communities, an increase of 7.8 percent compared to 2015, according to the latest annual Community Benefit Report released by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA).   

“Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems are dedicated to their community service missions of supporting their communities by promoting physical and mental health,” said Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of MHA. “Much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office – in our schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. Just as our care teams devote themselves to meeting the needs of patients in the hospital, our hospitals and health systems are driven to address their communities’ needs.”   

Of the $4.9 billion, Minnesota hospitals provided $567 million in proactive services responding to specific community health needs, such as health screenings, health education, health fairs, immunization clinics and other community outreach, including in the areas of fitness, nutrition, weight loss, mental health and diabetes prevention.  

To learn more and view the full report, visit the MHA website. return to top   

MHA again planning member events for AHA Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Meeting, taking place for May 6-9 in Washington, D.C. The AHA Annual Meeting includes an extensive list of national speakers with topics ranging from national politics to trends in hospital leadership. The event also provides an excellent chance to network with MHA colleagues and health care professionals from around the country.    

MHA will once again be hosting a delegation of MHA members at the meeting. MHA activities include group dinners on Monday and Tuesday evening and policy meetings with members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation.    

To learn more and register, visit the AHA website. Once you have registered, inform Ben Peltier, vice president, legal and federal affairs, MHA, 651-603-3513, so he can add you to the MHA delegation list. Questions about the AHA Annual Meeting may also be directed to Ben. return to top   

2017 Minnesota Hospital Financial Ratio Book now available for MHA members

The 2017 Minnesota Hospital Financial Ratio Book, based on 2016 financial statements, is now available for MHA members. The book contains 27 key financial ratios that hospital administrators, board members and financial officers need to understand their hospital’s financial standing compared to their peer groups in Minnesota.   

The in-depth report, produced from hospitals’ audited financial statements, provides unique insight into the current trends different hospital groups face in Minnesota. The book also includes common-sized financial statements, allowing hospitals to compare their own statements against those with similar characteristics. Further, a system-level section is included showing the same key financial ratios for hospital systems operating in the state.   

The following are some of the key summary points in this year’s ratio book: 

  • Between fiscal year (FY) 2015 and FY 2016, the statewide median hospital operating margin decreased from 3.3 percent to 3.2 percent. 
  • The statewide median net margin increased from 3.8 percent to 3.9 percent. 
  • Liquidity ratios were relatively stable, but days in patient accounts receivable increased from 51.1 days in 2015 to 53.1 days in 2016. 
  • The days-cash-on-hand ratio saw a slight increase, from 34.78 days in 2015 to 38.95 days in 2016. 

MHA members may purchase the standard ratio book for $100. For more information, contact Joe Schindler, vice president, finance, MHA, 651-659-1415. To order the book or customized reports, contact Jennifer Sanislo, division assistant, MHA, 651-659-1440. return to top   

DEA rule expands access to MAT for opioid use disorders

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Jan. 23 published a final rule designed to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in rural and underserved areas.   

The rule implements a 2016 law allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants who meet certain requirements to prescribe and dispense drugs for the treatment of opioid use disorder, including for maintenance, detoxification, overdose reversal and relapse prevention. Previously only physicians could qualify to provide MAT.   

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 expanded the category of eligible providers to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants until October 2021 to increase access for people in underserved areas. To qualify, nurse practitioners and physician assistants must be licensed under state law to prescribe certain controlled substances and complete at least 24 hours of initial training. If state law requires, they also must be supervised by or work in collaboration with a qualified physician.   

Research has shown that more than half of rural counties had no DEA-waivered physicians in 2016. Rural physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can get no-cost MAT waiver training online from the Providers’ Clinical Support System. return to top

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