FFY 2021 HEALTHII updates are provided by AHCCCS and AzHHA announces new slate for 2023 board of directors.
AzHHA announces new slate for 2023 board of directors
During the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) Board of Directors approved seven new healthcare executives to serve on its board and confirmed its roster for 2023. AzHHA’s 19-member Board of Directors includes hospital and healthcare leaders representing various communities throughout Arizona – from large health systems to rural hospitals. The fundamental responsibilities of the AzHHA Board Officers, and its Board of Directors, are to set policy and broad strategic direction toward the fulfillment of AzHHA’s mission.
The following Arizona healthcare executives were invited to join the AzHHA Board of Directors last Thursday:
- Rhonda Anderson, RN, Consultant, RMA Consulting (Community Member)
- Krystal Burge, Chair of the Board, Kingman Regional Medical Center
- Vicki Claassen, RN, Select Specialty Hospitals- Phoenix
- Mimi Coomler, CEO, Tucson Medical Center
- Richard Gray, MD, CEO, Mayo Clinic of Arizona
- Shawn Morrow, CEO, Summit Healthcare
- Brian Sinotte, Market CEO, Northwest Healthcare
The new board members will serve a three-year term on the AzHHA Board of Directors with terms expiring in October 2025. Their tenure will begin at the next board meeting in December 2022.
A full list of the current AzHHA Board of Directors may be found on AzHHA’s website https://www.azhha.org/board_of_directors.
FFY 2021 HEALTHII reconciliation payments
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) last week provided the following updates to hospitals regarding the Federal Fiscal Year (10/1/20-9/30/21) HEALTHII reconciliations:
- Recoupments from hospitals and additional payments made to hospitals will occur in December 2022.
- AHCCCS will share the final recoupment and payment information by mid-November.
- The earlier estimates were calculated using both in-network and out-of-network encounters. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed AHCCCS that only in-network encounters should be used in the calculation. This will lead to some substantial changes for some hospitals. AzHHA has encouraged AHCCCS to reach out individually to hospitals with large changes.
Surprise Billing Administration changes
CMS released a web form last week that will replace all existing methods for submitting Notice of Offers to be certified Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities under the No Surprises Act.
“Beginning October 19, 2022, all disputes that are not currently within the 10-business day notice of offer phase of the Federal IDR process and that have not already received Notice of Offer forms from their certified IDR entity will receive a web link from their selected certified IDR entity to submit the Notice of Offer form through the Federal IDR portal once the certified IDR entity confirms eligibility for the Federal IDR process,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said.
The new semi-customized form is intended to reduce the burden for disputing parties and certified IDR entities. For more on the IDR process, visit the CMS website.
Yavapai County community health survey
Yavapai County Community Health Services is collecting data on how it can better serve and partner with healthcare practices across Yavapai County. This project is a collaboration between programs funded by Yavapai County Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Opioid/Substance Abuse, Tobacco and Health Disparities grants. Click here to complete the survey by Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
Vote for the Health of it!
Election Day is less than two weeks away, and AzHHA encourages you to make your voice heard and VOTE! As healthcare leaders in Arizona, our work is to improve the health and well-being of our communities. It’s critical that we bring this perspective to the polls with us! If you vote by mail, you should have received your ballot by now. You can mail it back through November 1. After November 1, you should take your ballot to any ballot drop-off location or voting location in your county by 7 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. If you vote in person, you can check your polling place on the Arizona Voter Information Portal. You may find more information about candidates here, learn about the ballot propositions here and read the nonpartisan Judicial Performance Review about the judges on your ballot here.
It’s not certain whether we will have final results in the days following Nov. 8, but either way, AzHHA will be hosting a member-only call on Friday, Nov. 11 to review the election results for federal, statewide and legislative candidates. If you need information on this call, please email AzHHA’s Director of Government Relations Meghan McCabe.
National COVID-19 public health emergency renewed
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) Oct. 13 for an additional 90 days. Renewal of the COVID-19 public health emergency means expanded telehealth services, state support and Medicaid coverage protections will continue through Jan. 11, 2023. From what AzHHA Staff are hearing, this may be the final renewal of the public health emergency. HHS has previously stated it would provide at least 60 days’ notice if the public health emergency is not going to be continued. Last week CMS released numerous guidance documents and tools designed to help states prepare for the eventual end of the public health emergency.
COVID-19 data reporting; transition to NHSN
The HHS is transitioning COVID-19 hospital data reporting to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) platform in mid-December 2022. Arizona hospitals will have the option of reporting directly to NHSN, or they may continue to use EMResource and have the Arizona Department of Health Service’s vendor, Juvare, complete a bulk upload on the hospital’s behalf.
Last week ADHS began reaching out to hospitals to outline these two options. ADHS requests hospitals identify their preferred option by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 by responding to the EMResource alert "Required COVID-19 Reporting - Preparation for Transition to NHSN." Each facility will be able to state if they would like to opt into using EMResource as a way to transmit COVID-19 data to NHSN directly or opt out of using EMResource.
Please contact ADHS [email protected] [email protected] with any questions or for any technical assistance with responding to the EMResource alert. For more information on the transition to NHSN, click here.
2022 United Against the Flu Campaign
AzHHA works with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the HHS in their national vaccine initiatives. The United Against the Flu campaign, by the AHA, delivers the importance of influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. Visit United Against the Flu Campaign for materials and additional information. Additionally, the HHS COVID-19 public education campaign centers around increasing public confidence and administering vaccinations against COVID-19. Visit WECANDOTHIS.HHS.GOV to learn more about this campaign.
To find updated COVID vaccines near you visit vaccines.gov and click here to find a flu shot near you.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1 – Introduction to POLST workshops
Join physician orders for life-sustaining treatment paradigm (POLST) for their one-hour virtual workshops equipping healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST in Arizona. The objectives are to describe what POLST is at the state and national level, explain why POLST is important, define the population for POLST, when to begin the conversation and who completes POLST, describe the process for completing, reviewing and updating POLST, and learn the process of submitting healthcare planning documents to the Arizona Healthcare Directive Registry.
Register for these virtual workshops below:
November 6 – 18th Annual Run for Ryan House
Runners, walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, dogs, teams & virtual runners are all welcome to the 18th Annual Run for Ryan House featuring a 10K, 5K and 1 mile fun run on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Mesa Riverview Park. This signature event is meaningful to Ryan House families and loved ones as it provides them with a special opportunity to honor and remember Ryan House kids by creating teams of friends and family. Register and learn more about the event here.
November 10-13 – 19th Annual Amigos Trail Ride and Drive
Attend the Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation 19th Annual Amigos Trail Ride and Drive Nov. 10-13, 2022, at Boyd Ranch, Wickenburg. The event offers four days of guided trails, gymkhana, trail-trial challenge and trail ride options. Email [email protected] or call 928-668-1812 for more information. Registration may be found here.
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