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.
Team 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
^top of page
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