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Connection Newsletter
By AzHHA Communications ● Aug. 29, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 4 mins...1111 words
This week, read about:
- The early bird registration deadline for the 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference.
- AzHHA’s comments on IOP rates.
- AzHHA submitting comments to CMS on proposed OPPS Medicare rule.
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Register now: Early bird deadline is Monday
Last chance to receive the early bird discount on registration for the 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference!
What you need to know: You must register by Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, to receive the discount.
The big picture:
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AzHHA comments on IOP rates
Last week, AzHHA submitted comments to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) on intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment rates.
Why it matters: AHCCCS recently released its Covered Behavioral Health Services Guide (CBHSG) which adds additional requirements for general mental health IOP services including smaller group therapy sessions, limiting the caseloads for behavioral health medical practitioners and potentially pulling individuals out of group therapy to see a behavioral health professional (BHP) when most of the patients are already seeing a BHP in their community.
- The requirements go above current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements and current practice for most IOP providers.
- This has caused concern from providers that they would have to hire additional staff by Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, which may not be possible with the current labor market.
- Ultimately providers are concerned that the additional requirements could reduce capacity in an already overburdened system.
Dig deeper: In their preliminary public notice, AHCCCS proposed adding G0137 for general mental health services.
- AzHHA expressed concerns that the code could not be used for general mental health services.
- Updated rates go into effect Tuesday, Oct. 1. 2024.
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AzHHA submits comments to CMS on proposed OPPS Medicare rule
Last week, AzHHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the FFY 2025 Medicare outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rates.
AzHHA expressed concerns about:
- The woefully inadequate rate update of 2.6% in light of the unprecedented inflationary environment.
- The additional cost increases due to the cybersecurity attacks.
- Underfunded increases in recent years.
The bottom line: Ultimately, low reimbursement cannot be sustained and CMS needs to ensure that Medicare payments for acute care services more accurately reflect the cost of providing hospital care.
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⚠️Deadline approaching: Arizona Transition to Practice Program applications for third cohort
The application deadline for the third Arizona Transition to Practice Program for New Graduate Registered Nurses cohort beginning in November 2024 is fast approaching!
- Applications are due Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
- Already applied? The Arizona Transition to Practice Program team will reach out to you soon.
Why it matters: With this program, we aspire to create an environment where our nurses can transition seamlessly from academia to practice, gaining the confidence and competence they need to provide the best possible quality care to our communities.
The big picture:
- Any Arizona healthcare facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services that hires new graduate registered nurses may apply.
- Priority will be given to critical access hospitals or hospitals located in counties with a population of less than 500,000 people.
- Hospitals with existing 12-month Transition to Practice programs are not eligible.
Questions? Email [email protected].
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EMTALA member webinar recap
In response to a member education request, AzHHA worked with subject matter experts to develop a series of three webinars designed to answer questions about EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.
- These webinars were free of charge for AzHHA members.
- The sessions covered EMTALA basics, special issues, surveys, deficiencies and interactions with agencies.
Thank you to our esteemed speakers for sharing their insights and knowledge on these topics:
- Odette Colburn from Valleywise Health, and
- Karen Owens from the Phoenix, Ariz. law firm of Coppersmith Brockelman, PLC.
Feedback to share on the webinar series? Email [email protected].
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AzHHA releases DataGen reports
In relationship with DataGen, AzHHA distributes reports to hospitals based on information submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. DataGen generates hospital-specific reports which are sent to AzHHA hospital members as part of their membership.
Why it matters: This data helps hospitals understand the financial impact of proposed changes and annual updates.
- The reports can also assist in preparing budgets or benchmarking results with other similar organizations.
The below reports were recently sent to members:
- Outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule analysis (sent Monday, Aug. 5, 2024)
- CY 2025 Medicare home health prospective payment system (sent Monday, Aug. 5, 2024)
- FFY 2025 Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule analysis (sent Monday, Aug. 12, 2024)
- FFY 2025 Medicare inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule brief and analysis (sent Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024)
- FY 2026 Medicare hospital wage index AHW criteria analysis for reclassification applications (sent Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024)
Dig deeper: There will be a national webinar to fully understand what is covered in the FFY 2025 IPPS final rule and analysis.
- 12 to 1 p.m. Arizona time on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
- Registration is required using this link.
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Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 - Az HFMA Fall Conference
Join other healthcare financial experts for an exciting one-day conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hear from CFOs, revenue cycle experts, the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions and more. Register today.
Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 - Healthcare Recruitment and Retention Forum
This event will explore healthcare recruitment and retention challenges and solutions, including generational differences in preferences for employment. Shifts in Human Resource practices - including those for Access and Functional Needs populations - will also be discussed. Learn more and register.
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 - The Path to Complete Care Symposium
At this event, learn how spirituality can impact physical healing through presentations by one featured speaker and six breakout presenters. Six CMEs are available through Creighton University. Registration is free for medical professionals. Register now.
Oct. 16-18 - 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference
The 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference will once again be held at the exquisite Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson on Oct. 16-18. This will be an inspirational gathering of more than 200 hospital and healthcare executives seeking opportunities for continuing education, meaningful discussion and relationship building. Register by Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, to receive an early bird discount.
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