MHA Today | March 11, 2024

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Andrew Wheeler

Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act (HR 4366) that included a health care minibus package. The law delays the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment reductions, extends the Medicare-dependent Hospital program and extends the enhanced Medicare low-volume payment adjustment through the end of 2024. The bill also reduces the Medicare physician fee schedule payment reductions for CY 2024. The minibus did not include site-neutrality payment adjustments, or the requirement to obtain and bill using a NPI for all off-campus outpatient provider-based departments.

Staff Contact: Summer Wilson or Kendra Hanauer

In celebration of National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Hospital Week (May 12-18), MHA is searching for 2024 Champions of Care. Nominate an individual or a team who goes above and beyond to care for their community and tell us why they are a champion of care! Winners will be featured in MHA newsletters, website and social media, and will receive a ‘Champions of Care’ package.

Last year, more than 90 individuals and teams were nominated by their peers; you can read their stories here. We can’t wait to learn about this year’s deserving health care champions.

The nomination period closes Friday, March 29, and winners will be announced in May throughout Nurses and Hospital Week. Learn more and nominate a Champion of Care on MHA’s website.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

CMS continues to monitor and assess the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack that occurred in late February. CMS announced that “in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, we will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B suppliers.” CMS released a fact sheet with additional information. Providers who use WPS as the MAC will need to request the Medicare advanced payment using a questionnaire and request form.