In
this issue
Recognize
your nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12
This
week is National Nurses Week, a time to reflect on the important role of nurses
on the patient care team. National Nurses Week is celebrated each year from May
6 through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern
nursing. For an example of a dedicated nurse who provides extraordinary care to
his patients and extends his work beyond the hospital's walls to help others in
the community, meet Ed Wurtzberger, R.N., New Ulm Medical Center, part of Allina Health, the 2015 Minnesota Hospital Association Caregiver of the Year. return to top
Members
asked to contact their legislators on HHS budget
A
Health & Human Services Conference Committee will begin meeting soon to
resolve the significant differences between the Senate and House versions of
the Health and Human Services finance bills. The real work of this Conference
Committee, however, cannot move forward until a budget target has been set by
Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk. MHA members are being
asked to contact their legislators and ask them to speak to their Caucus
leadership and to Conference Committee members. New end of session key messages
are available on the MHA Member Center.
For
help accessing the Member Center, contact Ashley Gauster, MHA member services
and communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top
Federal
bills introduced to increase physician residency slots and make needed
improvements to the RAC program
Last
week, two Minnesota Hospital Association priority bills were introduced at the
federal level. One will increase physician residency slots at teaching
hospitals and the other will make much-needed improvements to the Recovery
Audit Contractor (RAC) program.
The
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, H.R. 2124, would lift the 1996 cap on residency slots and would add 15,000 residency
positions eligible for both Medicare direct graduate medical education (DGME)
and indirect medical education (IME) support. The legislation would add 3,000
DGME and IME positions each fiscal year from 2017 through 2021, at least half
of which must be used for a shortage specialty residency program.
H.R. 2156, the Medicare Audit Improvement Act, makes improvements
to the RAC program including:
- Eliminating the RAC contingency fee structure and instead directing
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pay RACs a flat fee, as
every other Medicare contractor is paid, to reduce the financial incentive for
overzealous auditing practices;
- Establishes a consistent and transparent methodology to calculate
RAC’s total appeals overturn rates;
- Lowering payments to RACs with poor performance due to high rates
of incorrect denials;
- Allowing hospitals to rebill claims when appropriate; and
- Requiring RACs to make their inpatient claims decisions using the
same information the physician had when treating the patient, not information
that becomes available after the patient leaves the hospital.
Both
bills are supported by the American Hospital Association (AHA). MHA has asked
our federal delegation to co-sponsor the bills, and this request will be reinforced
this week when MHA members and staff visit our congressional offices during the
AHA annual meeting in Washington D.C.
For
more information please contact Ann Gibson, MHA vice president of federal
relations and workforce, 651-603-3527. return to top
Make
It OK ambassador training available
May
is Mental Health Month, and MHA has been working with HealthPartners, the
creator of Make It OK, to amplify the anti-stigma
campaign throughout the state. The Make It OK campaign aims to reduce the
stigma of mental illness by encouraging open conversations and education on the
topic.
The
Make It OK campaign will hold an ambassador training where you can learn more
about mental illnesses from experts and learn how to talk about mental illness
and stigma. The training is May 27 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Regions Hospital in St.
Paul. Click here for more information
and to register.
Last
week, MHA and HealthPartners held a webinar on how to become a campaign
partner. You can access the webinar at MHA’s Member Center.
For
more information, contact Ashley Gauster, MHA member services
and communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top
Summer
Trustee Conference brochure available online
Print version will be mailed the week of May 11
The
schedule and brochure for the MHA Summer Trustee Conference is now available.
Minnesota hospital trustees can expect a print version of the conference
brochure in the mail the week of May 11. Click here or visit the MHA website
to view the brochure. return to top
DHS seeking provider feedback for mental health, community
services gap analysis
The Department of Human
Services (DHS) is asking providers to participate and provide their perceptions
about the capacity of the entire system of all home and community-based
services (HCBS) and mental health services and supports in meeting the needs of
the following four targeted population groups:
- Older adults
- People with
disabilities
- Children and
youth with mental health conditions
- Adults living
with mental health conditions
MHA strongly encourages members
to complete the survey, particularly as it pertains to mental health services.
This is an excellent opportunity to offer feedback to the department about one
of the most important health care issues facing our state.
A link to the survey has
been sent to MN-ITS provider folders. The survey is open until Friday, May 8, 2015. More information
is available at Gaps Analysis – Provider Input Requested. return to top
DHS
announces fourth round of IHP demonstration project
The
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced the fourth round of
the Integrated Health Partnerships (IHP) demonstration project. DHS is now accepting proposals for qualified grantee(s) to
provide health care services to Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare
enrollees under alternative payment arrangements through the IHP demonstration.
The Integrated Health Partnership demonstration is an opportunity for provider
organizations to contract and collaborate with DHS to care for public health
care program recipients under an accountable payment model that incents quality
and efficient care delivery. There are currently 16 IHPs in MN.
The projected service begin date is January 1, 2016. Proposals are
due 4:00 p.m. on July 27,
2015.
The RFP can be viewed by visiting the Department of Human Services RFP website. return to top
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce holding statewide policy tour
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its statewide
policy tour to obtain input into the Chamber’s policy agenda. MHA encourages
hospital leadership to attend as a way to continue building strong partnerships
within your community. The schedule is below:
- Willmar
May
26 | Noon
Bennett Office Technologies, Inc.
REGISTER
- New Brighton
May
27 | 8:00 a.m.
Dalco Enterprises, Inc.
REGISTER
- Alexandria
May
28 | 12:30 p.m.
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
REGISTER
- Elk River
May
28 | 8:00 a.m.
Metal Craft & Engineering
REGISTER
- Minneapolis
May
28 | 4:00 p.m.
WSB
REGISTER
- Winona June
2 | Noon
RTP Company
REGISTER
- St. Cloud
June
3 | 8:00 a.m.
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
REGISTER
- Thief River Falls
June
5 | 8:00 a.m.
Digi-Key Corp
REGISTER
- Perham
June
5 | 12:30 p.m.
KLN Enterprises
REGISTER
- St. Peter
June
9 | 8:30 a.m.
Nicollet County Bank
REGISTER
- Marshall
June
9 | Noon
BH Electronics
REGISTER
- Apple Valley
June
9 | Noon
Uponor
REGISTER
- Duluth
June
11 | Noon
Involta
REGISTER
- Grand Rapids
June
12 | Noon
Industrial Lubricant
REGISTER
- Shakopee
June
12 | 8:00 a.m.
Dem-Con Companies
REGISTER
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