In this issue
MN hospitals recognized as Most Wired
Conducted by Hospitals and Health Networks, the 16th
annual Health Care’s Most Wired Survey asks hospitals and health systems
nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives. Hospitals that
have made gains or improvements by using IT to reduce the likelihood of medical
errors, share critical patient information electronically with specialists and
other care providers, and enhance their IT systems in ways to support care and
delivery improvement are named to the Most Wired list.
Nineteen Minnesota hospitals and health systems were
named to the 2014 Most Wired list:
- Fairview
Health Services
- HealthPartners
- Kittson
Memorial Healthcare Center
- Mahnomen
Health Center
- Mayo
Clinic Rochester Hospital
- Park
Nicollet Health Services
- Perham
Health
- RiverView
Health
- Sanford
Bagley Medical Center
- Sanford
Bemidji Medical Center
- Sanford
Canby Medical Center
- Sanford
Jackson Medical Center
- Sanford
Luverne Medical Center
- Sanford
Thief River Falls Medical Center
- Sanford
Tracy Medical Center
Sanford
Westbrook Medical Center
- Sanford
Worthington Medical Center
- Windom
Area Hospital
- Winona
Health
More information can be found here. return to top
MHA
testifies at Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission meeting
The
Minnesota Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission invited a panel of
education and industry representatives, including the Minnesota Hospital
Association (MHA), to offer a high-level overview of the health occupations
educated or employed by each sector along with challenges, issues or trends.
Ann
Gibson, MHA vice president of federal relations and workforce, testified that significant
transformation is expected in “tomorrow’s” health care workplace. In addition,
MHA’s testimony contained a special focus on the study commissioned byTowers Watson,
a global professional services company, to understand how our talent pool will
fare in the next ten years in two of the largest segments of the health care
workforce – registered nurses and primary care physicians.
MHA
encouraged commission members to:
- support the development of new
care delivery models to relieve demands on primary care;
- support increased funding of
Minnesota’s Medical Education and Research Costs (MERC) program that helps
hospitals and health systems offset higher costs associated with training
the next generation of health care professionals; and,
- search for additional solutions
to help rural providers with their unique recruitment and retention
issues.
View
MHA’s complete testimony here.
The
Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission is charged with creating a study
and recommendations to the legislature to strengthen the health care workforce.
A preliminary report is due by Dec. 31, 2014 and a final report is required by
Dec. 31, 2016.
The
final report is required to address current and anticipated work force
shortages, incentives available to attract and retain workers, training and
residency shortages, and perceptions of primary care among students, among
other issues.
For
more information contact, Ann Gibson, MHA vice president
of federal relations and workforce at 651-603-3527. return to top
Political
season underway, engage now
With
the election just a few months away, this fall provides a great chance to meet
with the candidates and get involved in your local campaigns. All 134 seats in
the House of Representatives are up for election and it is imperative to reach
out to both incumbent legislators and their challengers to brief them on the
issues impacting hospitals and share the message about our well-earned national
reputation for delivering high quality and low cost care.
Most
important, 15 legislators have announced their retirements, and if your
hospital is located in one of those 15 communities, you have an open
legislative seat. That means you will have a new legislator come January and
one who may need education and background on health care issues. Share
information about your hospital, your hospital’s economic impact, patient
safety highlights and community benefit activities.
For
more information, access the MHA 2014 Election Tool Kit and the grassroots
matching list on the MHA Member Center. The Member Center
is username and password protected. Contact Ashley Gauster, MHA member services
and communications specialist, 651-603-3545.
After
you meet with legislators and candidates, please let us know how your meeting
went. In addition, MHA staff is happy to facilitate your meeting. Contact Kristin Loncorich, MHA government
relations director, 651-603-3526 or Mary Krinkie, MHA vice president
of government relations, 651-659-1465. return to top
CMS HCBS rule affects hospital-based services
The
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued a rule on Jan. 16 governing the characteristics and qualities
of all home and community-based settings (HCBS) within which Medical
Assistance/Medicaid services are provided, as well as person-centered planning
requirements.
The
rule affects hospitals
that offer these services in their facilities and, for public hospitals, on the
grounds of the facility. In Minnesota, the rule impacts all HCBS waivers –
Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Alternatives for Disabled
Individuals (CADI), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Brain Injury (BI), and Elderly
Waiver (EW). The rule limits Medicaid waiver coverage for services offered in
or near what are deemed “institutions,” including hospitals and nursing homes.
This means services such as adult day may no longer be covered when offered in
hospitals unless certain requirements are met or an exemption is granted. In
addition, residential services, including housing with services and assisted
living, cannot be located “on the grounds of, or adjacent to a public
institution” unless certain requirements are met or an exemption is granted.
The
rule, effective March 17, 2014, allows states five years to transition into
compliance. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will release a
draft transition plan at the end of September for public comments. In the
meantime, members are encouraged to complete the “Questions forListening Sessions” document and return to Jen McNertney, MHA policy
analyst.
For
more information, contact Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst,
651-659-1405. return to top
Over 1,000 Minnesotans receive Medicaid coverage
through HPE
Minnesota’s
hospital presumptive eligibility (HPE) program began on July 1 and since then,
over 1,000 Minnesotans have received temporary Medicaid services.
HPE
gives qualified hospitals the opportunity to enroll patients they deem eligible
into a temporary Medical Assistance (MA) program. The temporary MA program then
covers the cost of patient care until the patient enrolls in full MA, is found
ineligible for MA, or comes to the end of the HPE coverage time period.
Since
implementation began, over 70 hospitals became qualified to make HPE
determinations and 44 hospitals have submitted HPE applications.
For
questions on HPE, contact Jen McNertney, MHA policy analyst,
651-659-1405. return to top
MDH announces SIM grant RFP
The
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requests proposals for the Minnesota
Accountable Health Model (SIM) Accountable Communities for Health Grant. Approximately
$5.5 million
is available to fund up to 15 Accountable Communities for Health. Grants will
provide funding to advance the Minnesota Accountable Health Model through
improving and expanding necessary infrastructure for Accountable Communities for
Health (ACH) implementation and developing a plan to meet ACH requirements.
Because hospitals and health systems play crucial roles in the
health of their communities, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA)
encourages members to consider submitting grant proposals in collaboration with
other community stakeholders. As with the Integrated Healthcare Partnership
demonstration projects administered by the Minnesota Department of Human
Services, MHA strongly supports initiatives that offer hospitals and health
systems flexibility and support to redesign how care is delivered, how health
is improved and how individuals are engaged.
To
be considered for funding, a required non-binding letter
of intent is due to MDH by Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. and proposals
must be received by Monday, Oct. 20 by 4 p.m.
An
optional informational Q & A webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Click here to register for the complimentary webinar.
For
more information contact Chris Dobbe, MDH health policy,
651-201-3954. return to top