In this issue
RARE
Campaign prevents 7,975 avoidable readmissions
A broad-based coalition of hospitals, care providers and
community partners participating in the RARE Campaign—Reducing Avoidable
Readmissions Effectively—has prevented 7,975 avoidable readmissions through
fourth quarter 2013 and allowed patients in Minnesota to spend 31,900 nights of
sleep in their own beds instead of the hospital. Since the Campaign began,
Minnesota hospitals collectively reduced readmissions by 19 percent.
Thank you to all RARE participants for your dedication and commitment to
reducing avoidable hospital readmissions. Learn more about the RARE Campaign. return to top
MHA
advocates for CMS to allow third-party premium payments
MHA submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting the ability of third parties to financially
support individuals’ costs associated with federally subsidized health coverage
purchased through health insurance exchanges, like MNsure. CMS has urged health
plans to reject premium or co-insurance payments from third parties on behalf
of their insured.
MHA argued that CMS’s position will lead to the financially vulnerable losing
health insurance when they most need care, thereby undermining goals of the
Affordable Care Act (ACA). People eligible for federal premium tax credits earn
less than 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Therefore, the
population receiving federal subsidies are those who are most likely to have
difficulty paying their premiums or high deductibles when they have unexpected
injuries or illnesses. CMS’s position is that these individuals should lose
their coverage even if a third party is willing to pay their costs of coverage.
“Third parties can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence political
campaigns, but can’t pay anything to help a cancer patient keep her health
insurance?” questioned Lawrence Massa, MHA president and CEO. “Health plans can
terminate coverage for someone who really needs care because the person got
financial help to pay the premium from a third party? It makes no
sense.”
For more information, contact Matt Anderson, MHA vice president of
regulatory and strategic affairs, 651-659-1421. return to top
MDH
seeks agency to take over mobile medical unit program
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is ending its Mobile
Medical Unit (MMU) project, a disaster medical response unit. MDH is looking
for an eligible agency or nonprofit organization to accept the MMU which
consists of a tractor, trailer, supply truck, and clinical supplies. Eligible
parties interested in acquiring and continuing the MMU’s disaster response
medical mission within the state can find additional information here and watch an
overview video of the MMU and its capabilities.
MDH also seeks an agency or organization to accept the state’s six Disaster
Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU) trailers and supplies that are used for fatality
management following a disaster. Organizations with enclosed, protected space
available, such as a public works garage, warehouse or similar facility are
preferred.
To submit a formal request for the MMU assets or to offer DPMU storage, contact
John Urbach, MDH Office of Emergency Preparedness, 651-201-5718. return to top
Program
seeks nominations to recognize best practices in patient and family engagement
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) has launched an inaugural
program to identify and recognize best practices in patient and family
engagement (PFE). Advancing Excellence: Best Practices in Patient and Family
Engagement aims to recognize leaders in patient-centered health care and share
their stories broadly to help improve the quality of care across the country.
CAN is accepting nominations for the categories of hospital staff, patients and
caregivers working collaboratively, and hospital and healthcare leadership. MHA
member hospitals are encouraged to apply; the application deadline is May 23, 2014.
Applications are available here. For questions,
contact Karen Roberts, Caregiver Action Network,
202-772-5050. return to top
Program
for administrative professionals provides training in Microsoft Office tools
and cultural competency
MHA’s seventh annual program for health care administrative
professionals will offer training in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
and include a workshop on cultural competence in the health care industry.
Chicago, Illinois-based Microsoft Certified Trainer Melissa Esquibel will
instruct participants in using Excel power tools including pivot tables and formulas,
project management with Outlook tasks and calendars and quickly creating
dynamic and interactive PowerPoint presentations.
Jonathan Stuart, Ph.D., a consultant and trainer for Hennepin Technical College
in Brooklyn Park will discuss the need for cultural competence in health care
and provide case study scenarios to increase participants’ influence and
professionalism in the workplace.
An early bird registration fee of $149 for members and $249 for nonmembers is
available until May 22. The regular fee is $199 for members and $299 for
nonmembers.
The program will take place on July 23 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in
Plymouth. For more information, view the full brochure or click here and login to
register online. return to top
Understanding
new compliance for chargemasters and coding changes
Two upcoming programs will provide participants with information
on recent changes to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) work plan and coding
changes impacting the chargemasters.
Both programs feature Health Care Consultant Glenda Schuler, who has an
extensive background in chargemaster, billing and operations and more than 30
years of health care industry experience and expertise in health information,
medical records, utilization review, patient access and business services.
“The OIG is Watching — Are You? Hospital Edition 2014-15” will help health care
professionals understand health care fraud and abuse laws and the consequences
of violating them. The program is scheduled for June 25. For more information,
view the full brochure or click here and login to
register.
“Coding Changes Impacting the Chargemasters” focuses not only on the
correct implementation of the 2014 CPT and HCPCS codes, but will provide an
overview of the updates impacting nearly all clinical departments. The program
is scheduled for June 26. For more information, view the full brochure or click here and login to
register.
Both programs will be held at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. return to top
MHA
member hospitals recognized as great places to work
-
Minnesota hospitals were represented when Becker’s Healthcare
announced its nationwide list of 150 Great Places to Work in Health Care for
2014. Criteria for selection included benefits offered, wellness initiatives,
commitment to diversity and inclusion, professional development opportunities
and work environments that promote employee satisfaction and a work-life
balance. Four MHA member hospitals were recognized:
- Cuyuna Regional Medical Center,
Crosby
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Olmsted Medical Center,
Rochester
- Regions Hospital, St. Paul
Congratulations to our member hospitals. A comprehensive list of
all winners can be found here. return to top
Newsline
schedule
Newsline will be published next Tuesday, May 27,
after the Memorial Day holiday. return to top