MHA Today | May 3, 2021

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services price transparency rules took effect Jan. 1, 2021. CMS verified for the American Hospital Association that, based on complaints received, the agency has begun proactive audits to ensure hospitals have satisfied the regulations. According to AHA, the audits began with large acute care hospitals and now have expanded to include a random sampling of all acute care hospitals. If a hospital receives a non-compliance letter, the hospital will have 90 days to address the issues and become compliant.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings or Kelsey Hussey

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of a higher dose naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray product to treat opioid overdose. The newly approved product delivers 8 milligrams of naloxone into the nasal cavity. The FDA had previously approved 2 mg and 4 mg naloxone nasal spray products.

Naloxone is a medicine that can be administered by individuals with or without medical training to help reduce opioid overdose deaths. Naloxone can counter the opioid overdose effects, usually within minutes, to save an individual from overdose if administered quickly. A higher dose of naloxone provides an additional option in the treatment of opioid overdoses. In Missouri, naloxone can be obtained without a prescription by going to a local pharmacy and speaking with the pharmacist to obtain the medication under a statewide standing order.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated the status classifications for Security Administrator/Officials in the Hospital Quality Reporting system. Effective immediately, all SA/Os who do not log into an organization within 90 days will be listed as inactive. SA/Os for multiple organizations will need to log into each of those organizations to remain active. To re-activate any account(s), log into the HQR system and complete one of the following steps for each organization where you are listed as inactive.

Method 1: Go to My Profile

• If you have only one organization, your account is now active; no further steps are needed.
• If you have multiple organizations, select the desired organization from the “My Organizations” tab in My Profile.

Method 2: Change Organization Link

• Click the “Change Organization” button on any page.
• Highlight the name of the organization.
• Once in that organization, you are logged in.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The hospital-specific reports for the July 2021 Public Reporting preview period have been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Additional information is available.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The Health Resources and Services Administration soon will be releasing six potential new Notices of Funding Opportunities to support evidence-based planning, development and training in health profession activities to reduce burnout and promote resiliency among the workforce. Visit their website for additional information.

Staff Contact: Leslie Porth

MHA’s Visionary Leadership Award recognizes innovative service and program initiatives led by a hospital or health system chief executive whose organization has demonstrated sustained improvements in clinical and health outcomes. Nominations are due Friday, May 7 by 5 p.m. The award will be presented during MHA’s annual convention in November.