Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

October 19, 2015

MHA Newsline: Oct. 19, 2015

In this issue:   

Minnesota Crisis Link website now available

Minnesota has launched a Crisis Link website to connect people in crisis, including mental health and substance abuse, to services. The website identifies services by the location of the searcher and includes a live chat service.   

The Crisis Link website is an important online resource for finding services for people in mental health crisis. Additional resources include: 

Hospitals and clinics are encouraged to make the Crisis Link website, local crisis line numbers and Fast-Tracker information available to patients and their families. The information can be posted, available as a handout in the waiting room or offered in other ways. return to top   

MDH state suicide prevention RFP released

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released two suicide prevention training RFPs, one statewide that includes training in interventions after a suicide and one community-based. During the last legislative session, additional suicide prevention funds were allocated for MDH to award suicide prevention grants to train school staff, peace officers, firefighters, health care providers and others in order to prevent suicide clusters and contagion.   

Applications for both grants are due Monday, Nov. 30; letters of intent are due Monday, Oct. 26. For more information visit the MDH website. return to top   

HEARRT to sponsor webinar on proposed EPA pharmaceutical waste rule

The Healthcare Environmental Awareness and Resource Reduction Team (HEARRT) is sponsoring a webinar on the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pharmaceutical waste rules on Monday, Oct. 26, from 2-5 p.m. The recently proposed rules will potentially affect pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities and pharmaceutical reverse distributors, as well as others.  

Kristin Fitzgerald and Josh Smeraldi of EPA will provide a regulatory overview. Josh Burman from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will also participate. The event is designed to review the proposed regulations, provide a question and answer session and offer networking opportunities for professionals working on health care sustainability and waste issues.   

Register online to attend either in person or via webinar.   

HEARRT is an organization composed of health systems and MHA that connects health care professionals to encourage and support sustainability actions that improve environmental and community health and reduce costs. For more information visit the HEARRT website. return to top   

DHS issues bulletin on MA for people who are incarcerated

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a bulletin regarding Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for people who are incarcerated and receiving inpatient health care. The policy took effect Jan. 1, 2014; the bulletin addresses ongoing questions about the policy.   

Hospitals should be aware there is a separate MA application process for individuals who are incarcerated. Individuals must use the paper application. There is a special form for individuals receiving inpatient care: the Medical Assistance Payment for Inpatient Hospital Care for Incarcerated People (DHS-6696G). This form includes patient consent for DHS to communicate with the correctional facility regarding eligibility status.   

In addition, which health care application should be used depends on the demographics of the individual. The criteria determining which application should be used is detailed in the bulletin.   

For more information see the bulletin. return to top