Staff Contact: Mat Reidhead

The Hospital Industry Data Institute is pleased to announce the availability of a new COVID-19 vaccine dashboard through HIDI Analytic Advantage. This addition to the secure, hospital-specific suite of COVID-19-related dashboards is designed to assist hospitals in monitoring vaccine coverage in their primary service areas.

Using key information on community composition and recipient demographics, the dashboard is intended to assist users in evaluating uptake among socially vulnerable and vaccine-hesitant populations in Missouri. Vaccine coverage data are presented in terms of partial and full inoculation at the state, regional, county and ZIP code levels alongside key indicators, such as the portion of the population living below poverty, and nonwhite populations as an indicator of equity in access and vaccine acceptance.

The dashboards are available for download to authorized users of HIDI Analytic Advantage. If you need a user ID and password, or have questions about accessing these dashboards, please contact HIDI.

Staff Contact: Jackie Gatz or Keri Barclay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on operating schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. These updated considerations for schools are intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health and well-being of students, teachers, staff and communities. The document outlines strategies to reduce spread, maintain healthy environments, maintain healthy operations and prepare for illness. Schools are encouraged to collaborate with local and state health officials on these considerations and adjust them as needed to address unique needs. School districts also can use the CDC’s updated Considerations: Readiness and Action Planning Tool to walk them through the processes of keeping students and teachers safe.

Staff Contact: Mary Becker

Scotland County Hospital, located in Memphis, Mo., teamed up with the Scotland County Health Department to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible in their communities. Last weekend, they were able to administer 200 doses, and today, they are hosting another vaccination event. Scotland County Hospital set up a COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 660-342-6295 for those who wish to receive the vaccine or have questions.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Brian Kinkade

MHA submitted comments regarding the MO HealthNet Division’s proposed Medicaid State Plan Amendment for the Alternative Benefit Plan for the Medicaid Expansion population. The Medicaid expansion constitutional amendment passed by the voters in August 2020 directs state officials to submit such state plan amendments to federal officials by Monday, March 1. The division solicited public comment due by Monday, Feb. 15. All states implementing Medicaid expansion must select an Alternative Benefit Plan through this SPA process. MHA used the comment opportunity to raise concerns about the ongoing need for accountability of the Medicaid managed care plans.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Jackie Gatz

Today, MHA submitted a comment letter to The Joint Commission regarding proposed revisions to the standards pertaining to workplace violence prevention programs. While highlighting several initiatives in which Missouri hospitals have engaged since 2017, the letter emphasizes the competing and ongoing regulatory and compliance challenges from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that must be addressed before establishing additional standards within accredited hospitals. Comments are due to TJC by Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Bill Anderson

A state Senate committee approved Senate Bill 330, which would authorize Missouri’s participation in an interstate compact providing for reciprocal licensure of occupational therapists. A companion bill, House Bill 542, was reviewed by a House committee this week.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that a Special Enrollment Period for the health insurance Marketplace will open on Monday, Feb. 15, and will continue through Saturday, May 15. The SEP is in response to a recently signed Executive Order by President Biden. Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Norris Cochran stated, “President Biden was clear: We need to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and give more Americans access to health care, especially during this pandemic, which has further demonstrated the importance of having the right coverage.”

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews. eNews includes information about national provider calls, meetings, events, announcements and other MLN educational product updates. The latest issue provides updates and summaries of the following.

• Flu and pneumococcal shots: protect your patients
• Physician Fee Schedule payment for office and outpatient Evaluation and Management visits
• COVID-19: revised clinician codes accepted with cost-sharing modifier

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond

Thursday, the American Hospital Association, together with the Association of American Medical Colleges, America’s Essential Hospitals and several providers, submitted two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of adverse reimbursement decisions. AHA asks the Court to overturn appellate court opinions upholding drastic cuts to the 340B program and a 2019 rule reducing payments to hospital off-campus provider-based departments. AHA successfully challenged the rules at the federal district court, but those decisions were overturned on appeal. The Court has discretion to hear or decline the appeals.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings or Kelsey Hussey

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Expansion Grants. The purpose of this program is to increase access to and improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of CCBHCs, which provide person and family-centered integrated services. Additional information, including eligibility criteria and award information, is available. Applications are due Monday, March 1.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Joint Commission is hosting on-demand Pioneers in Quality webinars that offer continuing education credit. The webinar series incorporates content from TJC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mathematica, and Lantana, and addresses the eCQM annual updates for the 2021 eCQM reporting period. Additional information is available.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The National Center for Healthcare Leadership is hosting a complimentary webinar, “Hiring Ahead of Turnover: A Strategic Solution to Reduce Premium Pay,” at 12:30 p.m. CST Tuesday, Feb. 23. Topics will include improving the recruitment process to attract quality talent, improving the candidate experience, and speeding up time to hire.

Staff Contact: Dana Dahl

The Health Resources and Services Administration released a new funding opportunity under the Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program. The purpose of the grant is to use telehealth networks to improve direct-to-consumer telehealth services in rural communities and assess the effectiveness of those services for patients, providers and payers. HRSA budgeted $4.9 million and will fund as many as 14 grants. Applications are due Friday, April 2.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

SSM Health announced an agreement to transfer ownership of SSM St. Mary’s Hospital — Audrain to Kansas City-based Noble Health. The transfer is expected to take place by the end of March and includes ownership of community medical group practices associated with St. Mary’s Hospital — Audrain.  The transfer also includes a new CEO who has been hired, but not yet announced.