CMS recently released the proposed Medicare Inpatient and LTCH PPS payment and policy updates for FY 2025. CMS estimates that IPPS payments will increase $6.2 billion, which consists of $560 million more in Medicare DSH uncompensated care payments and a market-basket increase of 2.6%. CMS estimates that LTCH payments will increase 1.2%, or $26 million. Other proposals include a request for information about the use of Medicare IPPS payment rates for maternity care by other payers, changes to the wage index, updates to labor market areas and changes to the quality programs. MHA published an issue brief with additional information.
Staff Spotlight
Congratulations to Jessica Stultz, Director of Clinical Quality, on a decade of service to MHA!
Jessica is a registered nurse turned quality leader. Using the skills and experiences from working at the bedside, she works with hospitals across the state and coaches health care staff to provide the most efficient, effective, safe and patient-centered care. She inspires teams and leads projects to help hospitals implement change and promote best practice adoption. She also teaches concepts of high functioning teams and quality improvement science, while helping teams celebrate wins. Additionally, Jessica assists hospitals in their journey to become a High Reliability Organization and leads the Statewide Patient and Family Advisory Council.
“MHA is full of passionate and inspiring professionals. It is a wonderful place to work. Through our mission, my colleagues and I take care of people who take care of people. We root for each other, celebrate our successes and support each other through work and life events. MHA supports a culture of excellence and well-being and does a fantastic job in their effort to make our families feel important in our work.”
Throughout her tenure at MHA, Jessica is most proud of the quality team for becoming a respected extension of Missouri hospitals through years of collaboration. “I am honored to be part of hospital teams and am grateful to be a resource outlet and confidant in their quality work.”
Outside of work, you’ll probably find Jessica at a local sports game, cheering on one of her four kids. Athletic success is a family affair for Jessica. Both she and her mom, Diane Juergensmeyer, are members of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame – her mom as a legendary softball coach, and Jessica as a member of the St. Elizabeth High School softball program.
Jessica loves to spend time with her family, travel, cook, read and enjoy life. She is an avid runner and hopes to run the Boston Marathon one day.
Before You Go
ATTEND: The Region 7 Disaster Health Response Ecosystem will host a complimentary webinar at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, with Angela Hewlett, M.D., M.S., the Director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, on the current situation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1. Registration is required.
Education
April 25 | Retention: More Than a Buzzword
9 to 10 a.m. | Virtual | Register by Wednesday, April 24.
May 8 | The Importance of Instructions for Use
9 to 9:45 a.m. | Virtual | Register by Tuesday, May 7.
