MHA Today | October 8, 2021

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon

The Missouri Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection held a hearing to review the Medicaid transformation activities of the MO HealthNet Division. Kirk Mathews, the agency’s Chief Transformation Officer, reviewed his office’s system for tracking progress on 54 of the Medicaid reform recommendations of the McKinsey & Company consulting firm hired by the administration of former Gov. Eric Greitens. Topics discussed included pharmacy initiatives, shortfalls in state information technology capacity, enrollment system upgrades and Medicaid hospital payment changes such as the outpatient fee schedule, rebasing of inpatient payment rates to reflect more current cost reports, the out-of-state payment and moving to value-based payment models.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Daniel Landon

The subcommittee of the Missouri House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee held a hearing on behavioral health “needs, challenges and requirements” confronting state agencies. Mark Stringer, Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and his staff provided testimony. A video recording of the hearing is available.

The Subcommittee on Mental Health Policy Research will hold a second hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 19, to hear testimony from behavioral health providers.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon

The U.S. Senate voted to raise the federal debt ceiling by $480 billion, postponing the projected date it would be reached until Friday, Dec. 3. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen previously told congressional leaders that the federal debt ceiling will be exceeded by Monday, Oct. 18, if Congress does not act to raise or suspend the current debt limit. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to ratify the Senate’s action next week.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the 2022 Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. CMS intends that this information will be used by Medicare enrollees to compare plans ahead of the Medicare open enrollment period that begins Friday, Oct. 15. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure stated, “The Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings are important tools in the toolbox for beneficiaries to use as they consider Medicare coverage options. CMS’ annual ratings deliver meaningful information about the quality of each plan to help people with Medicare make informed health care decisions.”

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Missouri Department of Corrections is in the process of changing the health care vendor responsible for providing health care services and reimbursing providers for the treatment of inmates. According to the DOC, providers should continue billing Corizon for services rendered through Sunday, Nov. 14. Services provided on or after Monday, Nov. 15, should be billed to Centurion.

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.

• Medicare-dependent hospital COVID-19 waiver: modification
• Organ procurement organization performance report
• Hospice QRP claims-based measures: FAQs

Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga or Mat Reidhead

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a report that discusses how Z codes help report and track social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. It describes Z code claims data collected from 2016 to 2019, including the top five Z codes used in 2019 and the proportions of Medicare beneficiaries with Z codes across demographic characteristics. This report also highlights potential strategies to increase Z code utilization.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings

According to a recent report by the National Institutes of Health, overdose deaths in the U.S. involving stimulants have risen sharply in recent years with methamphetamine being the primary substance used in these deaths. Researchers examined data from nearly 200,000 people nationwide and found that overdose deaths from stimulants other than cocaine almost tripled from 2015 to 2019. During this period, methamphetamine use increased by 43%, the number of people using methamphetamine and cocaine together increased by 60%, and the number with methamphetamine use disorder increased by 62%.

The data suggested that people who use methamphetamine have become more diverse. Historically, methamphetamine use has been prevalent among middle-aged white people. But the researchers found a tenfold increase in MUD without injection among Black people and individuals ages 18 to 23.

Staff Contact: Stacie Hollis

Next week, the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety is celebrating Healthcare Security and Safety Week, highlighting the critical role health care security and safety professionals play in serving health care facilities, personnel, patients and visitors. The theme for 2021 is “Courageous. Resilient. Professional.” It recognizes the importance of security in health care and acknowledges the strong commitment, diligence and care officers display in their practice and profession.

IAHSS also is hosting a webinar, “Managing Toxic Stress and Building Resilience,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. This presentation will explore the vast impacts of COVID-19 on health care workers and public safety mental health. It will include information on trauma and toxic stress, moral injury, and resilience building. Registration is required.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is providing facilities with a Claims-Detail Report, including information on the following three measures for calendar year 2023 payment determination.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lumbar Spine for Low Back Pain (OP-8)
• Abdomen Computed Tomography – Use of Contrast Material (OP-10)
• Cardiac Imaging for Pre-Operative Risk Assessment for Non-Cardiac, Low-Risk, Surgery (OP-13)

Additional information is available.

Staff Contact: Daphney Partridge

University of Missouri Extension and Engagement Week 2021 brings together all four UM System universities, MU Extension and MU Health, as well as statewide partners, stakeholders, state agency leaders and legislators – all working together to learn, brainstorm and create a plan for improving the health, well-being and health outcomes for people in the state of Missouri. Held Monday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 23, the event will explore issues of health equity, the opioid crisis and health data, and hear from leaders and thinkers around the state. All events are virtual, complimentary and open to the public. Online registration is available.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Steve Mackin has been named the next president and CEO of Mercy. Effective April 1, 2022, Mackin officially will take over the role currently held by Lynn Britton since 2009. Mackin will serve as a member on Mercy’s board of directors, while Britton will take the lead as the executive board chair.

Mackin currently is part of Mercy’s senior leadership team and has been responsible for Mercy’s strategic planning with other health care organizations. He will continue to work with Britton throughout the next few months to transition into his new role.

Staff Contact: Becky Boyce

Jamie Chitester has been named the new CEO of Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems, located in Hayti, Mo., effective Monday, Oct. 11. He succeeds Sunil Mungee who served as the CEO since December 2020.