MHA Today | January 4, 2021

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

On Dec. 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that would “improve the electronic exchange of health care data among payers, providers and patients, and streamline processes related to prior authorization to reduce burden on providers and patients.” While the proposed rule includes language that may help reduce prior authorization issues, Medicare Advantage plans are excluded from the proposal. MHA submitted comments urging CMS to include MA plans as subject to the proposed rule requirements.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Brian Kinkade

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services General Counsel Robert Charrow issued a strongly worded advisory opinion on Wednesday that upholds the legitimacy of 340B provider contract pharmacy arrangements and disabuses drug manufacturers’ recent policy of refusing to sell 340B discounted drugs to providers using contract pharmacy arrangements. The affirmative policy statement by HHS is a clear victory for hospitals on an outcome that MHA has advocated aggressively for since the issue emerged late last summer. It is a welcome but incomplete resolution to concerns that MHA, its members and the Missouri Primary Care Association have voiced since the 340B threats emerged several months ago.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

The Missouri Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs released a new online reporting system for reports of losses, thefts and diversions. Reports now may be submitted online, eliminating the need to complete a paper form. The BNDD posted a link for reporting losses on their website. Registrants can save and print a copy of the fillable form and will be provided with a return code in the event they need to amend a previously submitted report. There have been no changes in the law or reporting requirements.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade or Shawn Billings

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued guidance for states regarding Medicaid coverage of medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. The agency also released a media statement.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

DNV GL, one of the nation’s Accrediting and Certifying Organizations, issued new requirements for education of providers working in facilities certified as stroke centers. The new stroke certification education requirements establish minimum requirements for physicians, nurses and others providing care to stroke patients.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a revised COVID-19 focused infection control survey tool for non-long-term care providers. The FIC survey tool can be used by facilities for COVID-19 infection control education and self-assessment purposes. QSO-21-08-NLTC, in addition to FIC survey updates, also provides updated information on entering health care facilities to align with recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to screening and triage. Facilities should have a screening process to assess for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and for exposure to others with known or suspected COVID-19.

CMS issued the QSO 20-20-All guidance at the beginning of the pandemic, which introduced the FIC survey and tool outlining infection control priorities for providers. In addition, CMS later released QSO-20-35-All regarding survey prioritization during the COVID-19 PHE, which includes continued use of the FIC survey and tool where issues of infection control may arise.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued additional guidance for ambulatory surgical centers amid the COVID-19 public health emergency. QSO-21-09-ASC states CMS temporarily will exercise survey enforcement discretion regarding the 24-hour timeframe to allow patients to remain in the ASC longer, if needed, during the COVID-19 PHE. This applies to ASCs that have not converted to a hospital during the PHE.