TOP STORY: Proposed Rule on Patient Safety Culture Reporting Released
The proposed rule for reporting Patient Safety Culture Survey data (59A-35.115) has been posted along with proposed survey questions for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, and the file layout for reporting has been released by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Legislation passed in 2020 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to conduct patient safety culture surveys every two years and report that data to AHCA. The proposed rule requires hospitals to submit the data between June 1 and August 31 every even-numbered year and the ASC to submit during the same period in odd-numbered years.
The Agency for Health Care Administration has scheduled a rule workshop on, Patient Safety Surveys on August 3, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. ET. at the Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building #2, 3rd floor, Conference Room F, Tallahassee, FL 32308 or by phone, 1(888)585-9008, conference room number, 998-518-088#.
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CMS Releases Calendar year 2023 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Proposed Rule
On Friday, July 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center payment and quality reporting update for CY 2023 (proposed rule). CMS has provided a proposed rule overview fact sheet and a Rural Emergency Hospital fact sheet relating to Medicare policies for the recently established Rural Emergency Hospital type. The proposed rule:
- Applies a payment update of 2.7 percent for CY 2023,
- Eliminates ten services from the inpatient only (IPO) list,
- Anticipates a change to the 340B policy, consistent with recent court rulings, in the final rule that will pay 340B hospitals average sales price plus 6%.
- Updates the Hospital and ASC Quality Reporting Programs,
- Makes organ acquisition payment policy changes,
- Continue non-opioid pain management drug and biological policy with modifications,
- Continue existing pass-through policy for certain drugs, biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals, and
- Implement rural emergency hospital (REH) payment policies.
As FHA has noted in comments to CMS and continued advocacy to congress regarding the IPPS proposed rule, a 2.7% payment update is inadequate in the light of soaring inflation, and continued labor and supply cost increases. FHA will advocate for a payment update that better reflects the cost realities of delivering care.
This proposed rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2022, and comments are due by September 13, 2022.
House to Consider Telehealth Bill Extending Flexibilities Through 2024
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives will meet to discuss a package of bills including an amended version of Liz Cheney’s HR 4040, the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act. HR 4040 extends through 2024 several telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Currently these flexibilities are extended 151-days beyond the conclusion of the PHE.
Congressional Budget Office Files Report on Cost of Permanent Extension of ARPA Marketplace Subsidies as Congress Considers Revised Reconciliation Package
Pursuant to a request by Senators Burr, Crapo, and Graham the Congressional Budget Office issued a report on the cost of a permanent extension of the American Rescue Plan’s Affordable Care Act Marketplace subsidy enhancements. The report offered a 10-year projection, placing the cost of the proposed measure at $247 billion.
The report is significant as the Senate considers a pared-down, health care-only version of the reconciliation bill once known as “Build Back Better.” As has been widely reported, Senator Manchin has indicated his willingness to support a small heath care package with a focus on drug pricing, and expansion of the ACA tax credit subsidies.
FHA is closely monitoring the provisions related to Marketplace subsidy enhancements as there may be implications regarding the coverage gap. Specifically, whether the Senate may resurrect provisions from the original Build Back Better bill that incentivized Medicaid expansion by reducing uncompensated care pool payments. Currently there does not appear to be an effort to address those issues.
HRSA Administrator Speaks at White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and Workforce
Administrator Carole Johnson spoke at the White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Workforce earlier this month. In her speech, she made the point that the American Rescue Plan provides both a lifeline to help the nation’s health care system through the pandemic and the seeds that will transform our health care system for years to come.
ARP funds have:
- Ensured health centers have staff and supplies to help patients deal with COVID-19, including receiving vaccinations
- Help fund programs to focus on the health of the health workforce
- Provided a large investment in the National Health Service Corps
View the Summit.
Opioid Treatment Programs: Comment by September 6
CMS issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule that includes proposals to strengthen Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) policies. See a summary of key provisions.
Proposals include:
- Revising pricing methodology for drug component of methadone weekly bundle and add-on code for take-home methadone supplies
- Modifying payment rate for individual therapy in non-drug component of the bundled payments for episodes of care
- Allowing OTP intake add-on code to initiate treatment with buprenorphine provided via 2-way audio-video communications technology or audio-only technology when audio-video technology isn’t available, and all requirements are me
- Clarifying OTPs can bill for medically reasonable and necessary services provided via mobile units
We encourage you to review the rule, and submit formal comments by September 6, 2022.
COVID-19 PHE Renewed
To help meet the needs of the nation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, effective July 15. The public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 was signed in January 2020 and has been renewed every 90 days in adherence to the law.
Renewing the public health emergency declaration ensures health care providers and state and territorial health departments have continued flexibility to respond to the pandemic, helping save lives. These flexibilities support efforts such as rapid patient care during emergencies, including waivers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for certain requirements under section 1135 of the Social Security Act.
HHS will provide states and territories with no less than 60 days’ notice prior to the termination of the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19. To review the CMS COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers, updated June 16, 2022, please click here.
Updates for Pharmacists Authorization to Prescribe Paxlovid
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), to authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients. The EUA recommends Paxlovid treatment be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 5 days of symptom onset.
Paxlovid is authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms or about 88 pounds) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Physicians may receive inquiries from pharmacists requesting patient health records; including information regarding renal and hepatic function and medication history. Patients may also request their health records to provide to their pharmacist. Physicians are encouraged to provide timely consultation, so patients have the ability to access Paxlovid.
Under the EUA, health care practitioners, patients and caregivers, and frequently asked questions fact sheets are available on the FDA's website. Providers interested in administering COVID therapeutics can submit their information online. Providers are asked to contact the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Therapeutics Team for questions.
State of Florida Deploys Tools to Address Overdose Crisis
On June 15, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida Department of Health (DOH) worked together to deploy public awareness materials regarding the dangers of substance abuse, specifically fentanyl-laced drugs. Responding to overdose requires education and readily available resources for families, communities, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and health care providers. Hospitals, agencies, stakeholders and partners are encouraged to print and display the materials in areas such as:
- Emergency rooms/hospitals
- Law enforcement offices
- Health care facilities
- Parks
- Fire Departments
- Businesses
- Public areas
- Rest stops
- Areas of public transit
- Educational institutions
This educational material will help to ensure Floridians are aware of the signs of overdose and how to respond. Print and digital materials can be downloaded here. A public health and safety alert was also deployed by DOH on July 8, 2022 to ensure Floridians remain vigilant of the signs of overdose. This alert can be found here.
Update your Membership Profile right from your Browser!
Did you know that you can update your FHA profile on our website? Get the most out of your membership and receive FHA’s latest news and analysis.
Head to
www.fha.org, select
Member Login, and enter your credentials. Once you are logged in, select the
Edit this Profile tab. You can then update the necessary information, press
Save This Profile, and FHA’s database will update automatically.
If you’re having any trouble with logging in, incorrect passwords, updating profiles, or have multiple profiles to update, reach out to [email protected].
Vacancy/ Turnover Survey
FHA released the Vacancy/Turnover Survey on June 30th, 2022. This survey will be used to measure the extent of the workforce issues. FHA will use the survey results to develop policy positions that ensure Florida’s hospitals have the necessary staff to serve the residents of Florida.
As we continue to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers in all industries face challenges in hiring workers, and the costs of hiring and maintaining a high-functioning workforce have skyrocketed.
We ask that you complete the survey and return it to FHA by Friday, July 29th. If you would like a copy of the survey, please reach out to Stephanie Scanlon, AVP of Hospital Finance and Data Analytics, at [email protected].
Reminder: AHA Annual Survey Extension
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has issued its annual request for hospital data for the 2021 survey. This survey is essential as it provides health care leaders, researchers, and consumers with a snapshot of the hospital market. Legislative and Congressional members also look to AHA and FHA as credible data and health care information sources.
The data helps the American Hospital Association advocate and represent on behalf of your hospital more effectively protecting payment across the state and federal level. We do hope you will see the importance of completing the Annual Survey and participate.
The surveys were distributed with your login information; if you did not receive the survey, please reach out to James Miller at [email protected].
The survey deadline has been extended through July 29th, 2022. If you would like to submit, please reach out to Stephanie Scanlon at [email protected].
Register Today: Early Registration Ends August 1—FHA 2022 Annual Meeting
Register now for the Florida Hospital Association Annual Meeting!
Early registration ends August 1, so don’t miss out on enjoying lower rates. The conference will be held on October 12-14, in person at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grand Lakes.
This must-attend event is one of the largest gatherings of health care professionals in the State of Florida. We invite you to come to reconnect with colleagues and to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of Florida’s health care heroes!
Registration is open to all hospital and health care professionals, including trustees, hospital executives, managed care and compliance professionals, clinical staff, government relations, and more. Students pursuing a degree in health care administration, or another related field are also welcome.
Each general session will focus on the most pressing topics for providers and feature a diverse panel of experts and leading members to lead the discussions. Attendees will hear from Ben Nemtin, a New York Times bestselling author, and inspirational keynote speaker and Deborah L. Birx, M.D., a world-renowned medical expert in immunology and infectious diseases. In addition, Seema Verma, former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator will close the event with an analysis of the future of Medicaid and Medicare, for providers, patients, and policymakers. View the Agenda here.
Attendees receive a special room rate, reduced valet parking costs, and discounted resort fees. Please reserve your rooms as soon as possible, as the rooms for Tuesday, October 11 have already sold out. Click here to reserve your room now. The deadline to reserve a room in this block is September 21, 2022.
Please note: Early registration through August 1 is $495. After August 1, registration will be $595.
FHA Webinar Spotlight—CPR for Patient Family Engagement: Embedding Patients/Families back into QI Programs
Involving patients and families in their care and hospital quality improvement efforts was a key component in the work FHA led for the Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN). Unfortunately, many hospitals put this work on hold during the pandemic as restrictions were implemented limiting access to the hospital. FHA is hosting a webinar in partnership with PFCC Partners to help hospitals restart or reengage their work with patients and families. Please join us on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.