Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

August 06, 2012

MHA Newsline

In this issue:

MHA seeking input on proposed regulations for billing and collections

The Minnesota Hospital Association will submit comments in response to a proposed rule issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in June. The proposed rule provides additional context for non-profit hospital requirements included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on areas such as financial assistance policies, billing the uninsured, and limits on “extraordinary collection actions” by hospitals.

The ACA requirements are similar, but not identical, to some of the requirements in the billing and collections agreements Minnesota hospitals have signed with the Minnesota attorney general. However, some of the provisions in the proposed rule conflict with current hospital practices and may limit the ability of hospitals to meet patients’ financial needs.

In preparation for submitting comments to the IRS, MHA will host a meeting to discuss member concerns about the proposed rules and specific examples of problems that may arise if the proposed rules are finalized. MHA member hospital staff and consultants are invited to participate.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 2-4 p.m. at MHA. Members may participate in person or by conference call. You may also send your comments or concerns directly to BenPeltier, MHA vice president of legal services.

Please RSVP to Dee Dee Heffernan if you will participate in the discussion in person or by conference call. ^top of page

Minnesota Hospital PAC golf Open raises funds to support hospital goals

Forty-eight golfers hit the links last Tuesday to bolster the mission of Minnesota hospitals and help raise funds for the Minnesota Hospital Political Action Committee (PAC). Funds raised at the event help state and federal candidates from all major political parties who support the goals of hospitals.

PAC leaders would like to congratulate the following 2012 winners of the tournament which took place at the Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury.

The first place team celebrates their win.

first place team golfersTeam competition:
First place, with a score of 58: Ted Grindal and Nate Mussell from Lockridge Grindal Nauen; Chris Champ from Eide Bailly; and Mary Edwards from Fairview Health Services.

Second place, with a score of 62: Brian Buchholz from BWBR, Inc.; Jay Christiansen from Faegre Baker Daniels; John Herman from Fairview Northland Medical Center; and Mark Sonneborn from the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Third place, with a score of 63: Sara Noel from Leonard, Street and Deinard; Brad Beard from Fairview Southdale Hospital; John Doherty from Fairview Health Services; and Dan Anderson from Fairview Health Services.

Individual competition:
Longest drive, women — Jen Mallard, Mayo Clinic Rochester
Longest drive, men — Brad Beard, Fairview Southdale Hospital
Longest putt, women — Erin Sexton, Mayo Clinic Rochester
Longest putt, men — Randy Ulseth, FirstLight Health System

The event landed on a beautiful summer day. PAC leaders would like to give special thanks to friends from the following organizations for their personal contribution to this year’s event:

BWBR, Inc.
Cardon Outreach
Eide Bailly LLP
Faegre Baker Daniels
JE Dunn Construction
Knutson Construction
Leonard, Street and Deinard, P.A.
Lockridge Grindal Nauen, PLLP
Minneapolis Radiation Oncology
Presidents Solutions, Inc.
Wipfli LLP
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MHA expands its communication outlets, joins Facebook

The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) is now on Facebook. MHA will share hospital stories and help share the message about the high quality, safe care delivered in Minnesota’s hospitals. We’ll also keep you informed of hot issues and conversations taking place about health care. Like MHA on Facebook.

In case you missed it, MHA is also on Twitter. Follow us here for the latest in health care news and legislative and policy information. ^top of page

DHS issues bulletin for Safe Place for Newborns law

As we told you last week, effective Aug. 1, the Safe Place for Newborns law has been amended to expand the timeframe in which newborns can be left from 72 hours after birth to seven days after birth. Newborns can be left at hospitals, urgent care facilities or with an ambulance dispatched for this purpose. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has issued a new bulletin #12-68-10 to provide guidance for hospitals and others to use when responding to cases that fall under the Safe Place for Newborn law. Read the bulletin. ^top of page

Department of Homeland Security Center for Domestic Preparedness offers training for first responders

Natural and manmade disasters require that we have an emergency response force prepared to handle mass casualty, catastrophic events. Training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) takes an all-hazards approach, meaning the same tactics and principles that are used for a terrorist incident can also apply to natural or other manmade disasters.

The CDP delivers 55 advanced training courses for emergency response providers, emergency managers and other officials from state, local and tribal governments. CDP training is fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The costs for all training, lodging, transportation and meals are completely covered up front. For a current schedule and course descriptions visit the Center for Domestic Preparedness website. For questions, contact Dan Cody, resident training, central region, 866-213-9547.  ^top of page