MHA Today | March 17, 2021

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

United Healthcare recently announced Optum Pay, which is “an advanced electronic payment solution that reduces costs, brings efficiencies and modernizes outdated payment methods.” While certain features are offered at no cost to providers, advanced features are available at a fee of 0.5% of claim payments. MHA is part of a multistate managed care coalition that has been working to eliminate the fee associated with the advanced features. Due to this effort and the input from many providers, UHC revised the features available under the free service. MHA provided a chart summarizing the features, which includes the differences between the original and revised free offerings.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a correction notice for the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and other Part B items. MHA released an issue brief with details.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Andrew Wheeler

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission issued its latest report and recommendations to Congress on Medicare payment policy, along with a summary and press release. It recommends that Congress increase Medicare base payment rates for acute care hospitals by 2% for federal fiscal year 2022.

Staff Contact: Kelsey Hussey or Shawn Billings

Data has been released from the National Center for Health Statistics examining the urban-rural difference in drug overdose death rates for all drugs, and by selected types of opioids and stimulants. Key findings of the report show that drug overdose death rates increased in both urban and rural counties from 1999 through 2019, but the urban-rural differences in trends varied by type of opioid and over time.

Hospitals play a critical role in identifying substance use, and Missouri hospitals are expanding capacity to care for those affected by SUDs. Recently, 16 Missouri hospitals have joined the Missouri Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Collaborative, working to implement evidence-based practice care recommendations for mothers and infants exposed to SUD during pregnancy. Missouri also implemented the EPICC program — a partnership with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Institute of Mental Health — to provide 24/7 emergency access to recovery support services and SUD treatment. To date, there are 32 hospitals participating.

Staff Contact: Leslie Porth or Stephen Njenga

The American Hospital Association Institute for Diversity and Health Equity released the first in a series of toolkits designed to help hospitals and health systems make progress in advancing their health equity agenda. The toolkit addresses the importance of segmenting and leveraging patient data to address disparate care outcomes and drive improvements.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Robert Marsh has been named the next CEO of Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield, Mo. Marsh replaces Ron Mays who served as interim CEO since January.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Scott Williams, CEO of CenterPointe Hospital in St. Charles, Mo., has retired. Karen Kasten will serve as Interim CEO and clinical director until a permanent replacement is named.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The Missouri State Board of Nursing recently announced that three Missouri universities were awarded Nursing Education Incentive Program grants, which increase the physical and educational capacity of professional nursing programs in Missouri. The board approved a total grant award of $418,864 in 2021 with the following nursing schools earning 2021 NEIP awards.

• Missouri Western University — $120,700
• Truman State University — $150,000
• University of Central Missouri — $148,164

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Nobel Health finalized the purchase agreement that will transfer ownership of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Audrain to Noble Health. Amy O’Brien has been named the CEO, and the hospital’s name changed to Audrain Community Hospital, effective March 15.

Staff Contact: Mary Becker

In a recent Facebook post, SSM Health addressed myths and facts related to COVID-19 vaccines. The infographic highlights topics like DNA, efficacy, masks, fertility and more. SSM said, “Misinformation is everywhere. Get the FACTS on the COVID-19 vaccines and get vaccinated when it’s available to you.”