/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:29:37 -0500 Thu, 13 Mar 25 14:11:28 -0500 <p class="text-align-center"> </p><p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</em><br><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its </em><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank" title="Post-acute Care Team"><em>Post-Acute Care Team</em></a><em>, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><h2><br><span>AHA EVENT </span> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</h2><h3>Next Post-Acute Care Advocacy call is March 18.</h3><p>Join us on March 18 at 2 p.m. ET for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance call featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.</p><p><span><strong>New 2025 Conference ID</strong></span></p><p><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong><br><strong>Phone Conference ID:  663 409 476#</strong></p><p><strong>2025 Monthly Call Schedule</strong></p><table width="271" height="78"><tbody><tr><td><strong>March 18</strong></td><td><strong>June 17</strong></td><td><strong>Sept. 16</strong></td><td><strong>Dec. 16</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>April 15</strong></td><td><strong>July 15</strong></td><td><strong>Oct. 21</strong></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>May 20</strong></td><td><strong>Aug. 19</strong></td><td><strong>Nov. 18</strong></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><div>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we5yS9Kl2lcCOfyIUg3Fx-FqMMpTnGp-mnOggAZkClWTKPrGWAmBp2-HkZV6Eg9xUsxAc=" target="_blank" id="">sbrown@aha.org</a> .</div><div> </div><div>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we59SRjb3Qq2NIs3c1rdlC-1zRjhxWbuVlbF5oOuG-yUaWq6DCITr7Tt_dlUUsSK-cxbY=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a><strong> </strong>for the full calendar of future calls.</div><hr><div id="article-headline-nik69fbe123-a3b4-4c36-831d-58273246810b"><h3><span>ADVOCACY</span></h3><h3>AHA discusses how Congress can improve support for post-acute care</h3><div id="article-body-nike2c925fb-d863-4880-b2fb-d4e479512e37"><p>This week, the AHA <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj9159hvku4fox3lmt19XUo5tSMkfTniHKcHqN07AeJ_dHvesnu5sFW7GXTVTIMDSKRzc=">shared</a> ways Congress could better support patient access to post-acute care in comments for a <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj97Jc8ZbtxjWo6mlDR1IqN-kfTd8n5_MXskAns6MOd8rqKDpbG5obYUB2jtVIZ14qXNo=">hearing</a> held by the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health.</p><p>The association also highlighted the crucial role that each post-acute sector plays across the continuum of care and urged Congress to take steps to address some of the unique regulatory and policy challenges they face.</p></div></div><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik48487905-bd96-4735-aab7-70cb79736ec4"><h2><span>NEWS</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nikc0717058-247e-4894-8b18-bea853ab01c1"><h3>CMS suspends Hospice Special Focus Program</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik883847a8-9a41-48fc-91f1-8af9f792e8f8"><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Feb. 14 <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj9lqWjM-xJpOFuT8LyhwzOr4yYzZ3KrCyJvhDU5bBewrOAwiXLA1_c68_ITFUvrb3rUk=" target="_blank" id="">announced </a>it ceased implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program so the agency can further evaluate it. The program, established from the <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj9gvKWJZlnxhIuALc1L7N3A4nVQQ5RgM-WW5zlVYlxrzKkYTjYnjPGuS5bTUV3ma2Y5o=" target="_blank" id="">2024 home health prospective payment system final rule</a>, was created to identify poor-performing hospices for increased oversight to ensure they met Medicare requirements.</p><hr><div id="article-headline-nikc0717058-247e-4894-8b18-bea853ab01c1"><h2><span>ANALYSIS</span></h2><h3>AHA Commissioned Report Challenges Inappropriate Conclusions Regarding Long-term Care Hospitals</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik883847a8-9a41-48fc-91f1-8af9f792e8f8"><p>The AHA released a new analysis conducted by the prominent health care economics and policy consulting firm Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC , critiquing the findings of an academic paper that misconstrues the facts and draws faulty conclusions regarding the role of long-term care hospitals. Specifically, Dobson’s economists and analysts rebut the findings and implications by analyzing the data, assumptions, econometric approach and methodologies, ultimately finding that the conclusions reached are not warranted and represent an overreach of the facts. For questions, contact Jonathan Gold, senior association director, post-acute care, payment policy at <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj9t3B0r9ahIbdgpupumkibVmv1_B68Igl8oloegF8jg-ZZ6so02XQWVXh2zq9SIsOCbQ=" target="_blank" id="">jgold@aha.org</a></p></div><hr><figure><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/2025-Annual-EarlyBird.jpg" alt="2025-Annual-EarlyBird.jpg" width="630" height="320"></figure><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik330774e6-2401-4b5d-9400-03b2e93dc627"><h2><span>AHA CONFERENCE</span>  |  Future of Health Care</h2></div><div id="article-headline-nike5145af0-7bfe-4163-b031-7be683bb6198"><h3>2025 AHA Leadership Summit</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik62e98032-7631-4399-8293-258d2a63d96b"><p><em><strong>Early bird deadline: June 6</strong></em></p><p>AHA’s annual Leadership Summit takes place July 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn. Hospital executives, clinicians and experts will share innovative insights, inspiring ideas and disruptive solutions to drive transformative change in health care. Learn how to receive free registration by attending the AHA Hosted Buyer Forum. <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj98P8Cc7j2SR9ZnXpa4DbiJ3jQkNQbPSF8WXjl9En6UU4dV6UXM6kqtGHnnAsmyiOnoM=" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE</strong></a></p><hr></div><div id="article-type-topic-nike49555b5-984e-4a7f-b0ba-c9d18baee98f"><h2><span>CALL FOR NOMINATIONS</span> |<span> Leadership</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nik304d1b1e-e10d-4a1c-88ad-714cb92af166"><h3>AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik6badf47b-ee27-4da0-94f3-7ce72defd38b"><p><span><em><strong>Application deadline: March 31</strong></em></span></p><p>Nominate your most promising young leaders to participate in this year-long program focused on developing and empowering leaders to bring about real and lasting change in the hospitals and health systems they serve.<a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZNQwj94uS1wZEZoq8LzXkucybuS9a74TFrzhIqrnowcrs3Q5u58_2JVSCEuTje6Jl0aVaCck=" target="_blank"> <strong>LEARN MORE</strong></a></p></div><hr><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nikf3c1e6c3-6eb9-43ce-b2a4-7a4c4aaf1067"><h3>Post-acute Care Spotlight</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik4de0a3bb-d885-47a8-82af-c1e4ab8b79c2"><p>The AHA invites members to share your stories, blogs, podcasts, etc. that feature the work your organization and/or team members are doing in the post-acute care space. We encourage you to help us identify collaborations and equitable solutions that address access to quality post-acute care and improved health outcomes that can be shared with our members. </p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2GIKffxtwKetff-Ibl_LUtp3L9ItXIDH6lI0vOqk3oaF_u1t0GC2zTcy7qAUZr_Bs1k=" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p></div><hr><div id="article-headline-nicdfcf8e0-306e-46e5-96e9-89cab1e1910a"><h3>Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h3></div><div id="article-body-ni5efada86-1c4d-4949-a6d5-3381c6f4c725"><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital are challenges for hospitals and the communities they serve. The Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li><div>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</div></li><li><div>Communication and education.</div></li><li><div>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</div></li><li><div>Grants, tools and resources.</div></li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2G-C-X64gobyhZCnOzs8g192S0HxaS4WZ2lJDQpETzFUY5-Sx2Cx9qPaPs9csQ1YuJE=" target="_blank">visit our website</a>.</p></div> Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:11:28 -0500 Post-Acute Care /testimony/2025-03-11-aha-statement-house-ways-and-means-subcommittee-health-hearing-march-11-2025 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2>Statement<br>of the<br>���������� Association<br>for the<br>Committee on Ways and Means<br>Subcommittee on Health<br>of the<br>U.S. House of Representatives<br>“After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care”<br>March 11, 2025</h2><p>On behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals and health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and our 2,425 post-acute care members, the ���������� Association (AHA) appreciates the opportunity to submit this statement for the record to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health on the value of post-acute care and how Congress can better support patients’ access to these critical services.</p><h2>General Policy & Regulatory Challenges</h2><p>Post-acute care is provided to patients who have been discharged from an acute-care hospital but still require services such as close medical supervision, nursing care, therapies and other support. Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) act as a pressure relief valve for high-acuity patients needing extended hospital stays, thereby easing the burden on intensive care units (ICUs). Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) assist patients recovering from life-changing illnesses like brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and amputations. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) offer rehabilitation therapy services aimed at strengthening patients and making them more independent before they return home. Home health agencies (HHs) enable seniors to remain independent by providing medical or non-medical care in their homes. Each of these facilities plays a crucial role across the continuum of care.</p><p>While each specific post-acute sector faces unique challenges, there are several policy and regulatory issues that are universal.</p><h3>Medicare Advantage</h3><p>Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are an increasingly popular choice for older Americans, and measures must be taken to ensure that patients who require post-acute care services are able to access them in a timely manner. Perhaps the biggest challenge facing post-acute care providers and their patients is the ongoing restrictions that MA plans place on access to care. The issue has been well documented by providers as well as by Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and congressional investigations.<a href="#fn1"><sup>1</sup></a><sup>,</sup><a href="#fn2"><sup>2</sup></a> The prior authorization process used by MA plans places significant administrative burden on both acute-care hospitals and post-acute care providers. Perhaps more importantly, it is directly harmful to Medicare beneficiaries — at best delaying their care and at worst outright denying medically necessary treatment.</p><p>MA plans’ practices have directly contributed to the growing discharge delay problems plaguing acute-care hospitals. While all beneficiaries have faced these delays, the increase in length of stay for MA beneficiaries seeking post-acute care has increased twice as much compared to Traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, the average length of stay (ALOS) prior to discharge to post-acute care settings has grown by 11.3% for MA patients between 2019 and 2024. However, for patients in Traditional Medicare, the ALOS has grown by only 5.2%, according to industry benchmark data from Strata Decision Technology, LLC.</p><p>Despite steps taken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in recent years, providers have seen little to no meaningful change in MA plan behavior and no increased access for beneficiaries. Additionally, post-acute care providers still face challenges with MA plans listing them within their networks. CMS should conduct regular audits to ensure that MA plans include robust post-acute care options with sufficient bed spaces and resources to provide the in-network care that patients need. As MA enrollment continues to grow, it is imperative that Congress continue to rein in these harmful practices to ensure that beneficiaries are not denied the care to which they are entitled.</p><h3>Ongoing Workforce Challenges</h3><p>The U.S. health care system is facing unprecedented workforce shortages, with the Bureau of Labor Statics estimating there will be 193,100 openings for nurses in each of the next 10 years.<a href="#fn3"><sup>3</sup></a> For physicians, there could be a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034 for both primary and specialty care.<a href="#fn4"><sup>4</sup></a> Since mid-2020, post-acute care providers have seen a significant number of patient care technicians, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists, among other vital professionals, shifting employment to other organizations. Some post-acute care providers in rural areas have experienced significant challenges in filling open positions, sometimes going months without receiving an application for open registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants or key leadership roles. Staffing challenges jeopardize the ability of seniors to access the care they need and deserve.</p><p>To ensure residents and families have access to high-quality care close to home, meaningful, long-term solutions and investments in workforce development must replace stop-gap measures, reimbursement cuts and punitive regulations. The AHA encourages Congress to pass the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (S.709/H.R.1585) and the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, as well as support visa recapture initiatives and continue support for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) health professions and nursing workforce development programs.</p><h2>Sector Specific Comments</h2><h3>Long-Term Care Hospitals</h3><p>LTCHs play a unique role for Medicare and other beneficiaries by caring for the most severely ill patients who require extended hospitalization. LTCHs offer an intensive, hospital-level of care that may not be available in other post-acute care settings. LTCH patients are typically very medically complex, with multiple organ failures, and stay in LTCHs on average for at least 25 days. Many LTCH patients depend on ventilators due to respiratory failure or similar ailments, which require highly specialized care and extended stays. In addition, LTCHs are critical partners for acute-care hospitals, alleviating capacity for overburdened ICUs and other parts of the care continuum that would otherwise be further strained without access to LTCHs for these patients.</p><p>In 2016, Congress put in place a dual-rate payment system under the LTCH prospective payment system (PPS) for Traditional Medicare beneficiaries.<a href="#fn5"><sup>5</sup></a> This fundamental change in the payment system and other coinciding market factors dramatically reshaped the landscape of both LTCHs and the beneficiaries they serve. Since implementation of the dual-rate payment system, the volume of standard LTCH cases has fallen by approximately 70% from its peak under the legacy payment system and the number of LTCH providers also has decreased by 20%. At the same time, the average acuity of LTCH patients has risen by 20% or more in that same period, and these patients are increasingly consolidated into a limited number of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs).<a href="#fn6"><sup>6</sup></a> In addition, approximately one-third of all Medicare LTCH discharges nationally are paid the inpatient PPS-equivalent rate. However, these reimbursements fall well short of the cost of care. AHA’s analysis shows that as of fiscal year 2020 reimbursement for these cases totaled only 46% of the cost of care.<a href="#fn7"><sup>7</sup></a> Finally, the growth of MA has further shrunk the patient population for LTCHs as MA plans routinely inappropriately deny access to LTCHs.</p><p>The smaller, sicker patient population and dwindling reimbursement has created many challenges for LTCHs, as evidenced by the closure of so many of these facilities. The remaining patient pool is notably more acute and costly to treat, resulting in cases increasingly qualifying for high-cost outlier (HCO) payments to compensate for lack of precision in the DRGs as so many cases are consolidated into a limited number of DRGs. In 2016, the fixed-loss amount (FLA) for HCO cases, which is the amount of financial loss an LTCH must incur before qualifying for an HCO payment, was $16,423. Since that time, the FLA has risen by more than 300% to $77,048. This unsustainable figure puts LTCHs in the untenable position of having to lose tens of thousands of dollars in order to care for some of the sickest patients. Unfortunately, CMS has been unable to deviate from its current methodology to provide relief from this policy due to a congressional mandate to cap total outlier payments at 8% of total payments.<a href="#fn8"><sup>8</sup></a></p><p>The AHA appreciates this Subcommittee’s awareness of the need to provide relief to the LTCH sector and supports efforts to provide additional flexibility and funding for HCO cases, and additional flexibility to provide care for different types of patients through the standard payment system.</p><h3>Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities</h3><p>IRF patients are typically admitted directly from an acute-care hospital following a serious accident or illness such as stroke, brain injury, amputation or others that have resulted in serious functional deficits and medical complications. IRFs provide hospital-level care, which means they are closely supervised by a physician who also oversees patients’ overall rehabilitation. The intensive course of rehabilitation provided in IRFs must include a minimum of 15 hours per week of intensive therapy services involving multiple therapy disciplines, as well as around-the-clock specialized nursing care. This level of care is critical for debilitated patients who are stable enough to be discharged from the acute-care hospital to begin intensive rehabilitation but are at risk for medical complications without continued close medical management.</p><p>The AHA continues to hear from IRFs regarding their concerns with CMS’ IRF Review Choice Demonstration (RCD). CMS initially created the IRF RCD to “assist in developing improved procedures for the identification, investigation, and prosecution of potential Medicare fraud.” However, the agency never provided credible evidence to support its belief that there may be high rates of fraud in the IRF field — it only cited its improper payment rate for IRFs, which, as it knows, is not the same as fraud. Since being operationalized by the Biden administration in 2023, CMS has not subsequently provided any evidence that the IRF RCD has revealed or assisted in uncovering any fraud. Specifically, the demonstration currently subjects 100% of IRF claims to review in both Alabama and Pennsylvania. Yet, according to CMS’ <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/irf-rcd-stats-fy-2024.pdf" target="_blank" title="CMS: Review Choice Demonstration for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Services (IRF RCD) Quarterly Updates. Fiscal Year 2024 (Oct 2023 – Sept 2024).">most recent data</a> collected during fiscal year 2024, approximately 90% of all claims reviewed have been approved. Of those, more than 95% were approved on the initial submission. Despite this high affirmation rate and lack of evidence of any fraud, CMS says it still plans to continue its expansion of the demonstration to more than half of all states and territories, subjecting hundreds of thousands of IRF claims annually to the burdensome manual medical review process. It has become clear that this demonstration is burdensome, diverts valuable clinical resources, and is not achieving its stated objective of uncovering or preventing fraud in the Medicare program.</p><p>Therefore, the continued need for the IRF RCD remains highly dubious, and the AHA continues to encourage CMS and Congress to end this program.</p><h3>Skilled Nursing Facilities</h3><p>SNFs play another critical role for many hospitalized patients who need continued care after discharge. However, hospitals have faced increasing difficulty discharging patients to post-acute care settings, including SNFs. This challenge has largely been due to staffing shortages and the associated reduced capacity of SNFs and other providers. These shortfalls then place additional burden back on hospitals, including the need for hospitals to board patients until a discharge location can be found. Therefore, it is vital for the entire continuum of care, including for acute-care hospitals, that SNFs are properly resourced.</p><p>The AHA and its members are committed to safe staffing to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care in all health care settings, including long-term care (LTC) facilities. Yet, the process of safely staffing any health care facility is about much more than achieving an arbitrary number set by regulation. It requires clinical judgment and flexibility to account for patient needs, facility characteristics, and the expertise and experience of the care team. The Biden administration’s one-size-fits-all minimum staffing rule for LTC facilities creates more problems than it solves and could jeopardize access to all types of care across the continuum, especially in rural and underserved communities that may not have the workforce levels to support these requirements.</p><p>The AHA supports the Protecting America’s Seniors Access to Care Act (H.R. 1683) to prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing the provisions of the minimum staffing rule. We have recommended to CMS specific alternative strategies that take more patient- and workforce-centered approaches to ensuring LTC facilities have a strong foundation of policies and processes to continually assess, reassess and adjust their staffing levels. These strategies constitute starting points for further standards development, which we would encourage CMS to engage in with the assistance of patients and the entire health care continuum. Not only would these proposed alternatives support more timely and effective action by LTC facilities to address staffing challenges, but they also would be more consistent with modern clinical practice. Thus, repealing the Biden-era mandate would both protect patient access to care and allow for the development of more effective and clinically appropriate strategies to improve LTC patient outcomes.</p><h3>Home Health Agencies</h3><p>Approximately one in five hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries are discharged to HH.<a href="#fn9"><sup>9</sup></a> These services alleviate pressure on hospitals, other post-acute care sites and caregivers, who would otherwise be responsible for these patients. HH agencies also can prevent rehospitalization by safely providing needed interventions at home thus avoiding potential complications and accidents.</p><p>Over the last few years, the AHA has seen a strain on HH operations — along with other post-acute care providers — due to financial challenges, creating ripple effects throughout the continuum of care. Hospitals have seen the length of stay for patients being discharged to HH increase as they face increasing difficulty finding placements for these patients.<a href="#fn10"><sup>10</sup></a> This has been due in large part to the reductions in reimbursement to HH providers put in place by CMS since its implementation of the new Medicare fee-for-service payment system in 2020. CMS determined it must permanently cut HH payments from between 4% to 8% annually in order to meet statutory budget neutrality requirements. In addition, CMS has indicated that it intends to recoup billions more in temporary reductions in the coming years. These payment reductions, paired with staffing shortages, and other administrative burdens and costs will continue to have serious implications for access to services for Medicare beneficiaries. The AHA is thankful for the Committee’s ongoing support of home health agencies.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>Thank you for your leadership on these important issues and for the opportunity to provide comments. We look forward to continuing to work with you to address these important topics on behalf of our patients and communities.</p><hr><ol><li id="fn1">HHS, Office of Inspector General (OIG); Some Medicare Advantage Organization Denials of Prior Authorization Requests Raise Concerns About Beneficiary Access to Medically Necessary Care (April 2022) (<a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-09-18-00260.pdf" target="_blank">https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-09-18-00260.pdf</a>).</li><li id="fn2"><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.10.17-PSI-Majority-Staff-Report-on-Medicare-Advantage.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.10.17-PSI-Majority-Staff-Report-on-Medicare-Advantage.pdf</a>.</li><li id="fn3">3<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6" target="_blank">https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6</a>.</li><li id="fn4">4<a href="https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/aamc-report-reinforces-mounting-physician-shortage" target="_blank">https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/aamc-report-reinforces-mounting-physician-shortage</a>.</li><li id="fn5">Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2013 (P.L. 113–67).</li><li id="fn6"><a href="/white-papers/2023-12-29-white-paper-medicares-ltch-outlier-policy-needs-reforms-protect-extremely-ill-beneficiaries" target="_blank">/white-papers/2023-12-29-white-paper-medicares-ltch-outlier-policy-needs-reforms-protect-extremely-ill-beneficiaries</a>.</li><li id="fn7"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2019/06/aha-cms-long-term-care-proposed-rule-fy2020-6-21-2019_0.pdf" target="_blank">/system/files/media/file/2019/06/aha-cms-long-term-care-proposed-rule-fy2020-6-21-2019_0.pdf</a>.</li><li id="fn8">Section 15009(b) of the 21ST Century Cures Act added section 1886(m)(7) to the Act.</li><li id="fn9">MedPAC; July 2024 Data Book; Section 8, Pg. 107 (<a href="https://www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/July2024_MedPAC_DataBook_Sec8_SEC.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/July2024_MedPAC_DataBook_Sec8_SEC.pdf</a>).</li><li id="fn10"><a href="/lettercomment/2024-08-26-aha-comments-calendar-year-2025-home-health-prospective-payment-system-proposed-rule" target="_blank">/lettercomment/2024-08-26-aha-comments-calendar-year-2025-home-health-prospective-payment-system-proposed-rule</a>.</li></ol></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2025/03/AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-and-Means-Subcommittee-on-Health-for-Hearing-March-11-2025.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the AHA Statement to House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health for Hearing March 11, 2025 PDF.">Download the Testimony PDF</a></div><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/03/AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-and-Means-Subcommittee-on-Health-for-Hearing-March-11-2025.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-AHA-Statement-to-House-Ways-and-Means-Subcommittee-on-Health-for-Hearing-March-11-2025.png" data-entity-uuid="ef5df51a-efdf-417b-bd24-197ee16b5607" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Statement to House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health for Hearing March 11, 2025 page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></div></div></div> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:52:15 -0500 Post-Acute Care <p class="text-align-center"> </p><p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</em><br><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its </em><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank" title="Post-acute Care Team"><em>Post-Acute Care Team</em></a><em>, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><h2><br><span>AHA EVENT </span> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</h2><h3>Next Post-Acute Care Advocacy call is Feb. 18.</h3><p>Join us on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. ET for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance call featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.</p><p><strong>New 2025 Conference ID</strong></p><p><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong><br><strong>Phone Conference ID:  663 409 476#</strong></p><p><strong>2025 Monthly Call Schedule</strong></p><table width="271" height="78"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feb. 18</strong></td><td><strong>May 20</strong></td><td><strong>Aug. 19</strong></td><td><strong>Nov. 18</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>March 18</strong></td><td><strong>June 17</strong></td><td><strong>Sept. 16</strong></td><td><strong>Dec. 16</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>April 15</strong></td><td><strong>July 15</strong></td><td><strong>Oct. 21</strong></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><div>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we5yS9Kl2lcCOfyIUg3Fx-FqMMpTnGp-mnOggAZkClWTKPrGWAmBp2-HkZV6Eg9xUsxAc=" target="_blank" id>sbrown@aha.org</a> .</div><div> </div><div>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we59SRjb3Qq2NIs3c1rdlC-1zRjhxWbuVlbF5oOuG-yUaWq6DCITr7Tt_dlUUsSK-cxbY=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a><strong> </strong>for the full calendar of future calls.</div><hr><div id="article-headline-nik69fbe123-a3b4-4c36-831d-58273246810b"><h3><span>ADVOCACY</span></h3><h3>AHA releases 2025 Advocacy Agenda</h3></div><div id="article-body-nike2c925fb-d863-4880-b2fb-d4e479512e37"><p>The AHA released last month its <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa1ySBiVd0YO3eMpWTTYYHYPLkcyaCfyrD70x7eDbyJj2lJSSEJVheOAroVU2SolMpWLM=" target="_blank">2025 Advocacy Agenda</a> detailing the association's key priorities for Congress, the Administration, regulatory agencies and courts. The agenda is focused on ensuring access to care; strengthening the health care workforce; advancing quality and health care system resiliency; leading innovation in care delivery; and reducing health care system costs for patient care. Note pages 7 and 8 for the post-acute care priorities.</p></div><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik48487905-bd96-4735-aab7-70cb79736ec4"><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nikc0717058-247e-4894-8b18-bea853ab01c1"><h3>Administration continues executive actions; AHA releases resources for the field</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik883847a8-9a41-48fc-91f1-8af9f792e8f8"><p>The Trump administration continues to release executive actions and orders that could affect hospitals and health systems. The AHA has published resources to inform and help members, including a <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2K4clgQfmfgKkDTfPGvvDWNUOI5Ffus3SJQa6mwn1MZL65jQ9NsOV5YS0n1UwpGAhoo=" target="_blank" id>tracker of all executive orders</a>; an <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2Nj89crTVBGNAuXBaU5ioAHlJJCPyP5xIX9WYtQYNPg234BKSrJWge4fccgWnTBp9_k=" target="_blank" id>advisory</a> on the implications of the 2021 Guidelines for Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas; and an advisory on the <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2J3J6r0cEuAnHWHg94g7LmbXi1BgLAgLKAaVMNq2o798axe4e4yi_j7sm41AxY6kslY=" target="_blank" id>recission</a> of a memo that directed federal agencies to temporarily pause federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs implicated by the executive orders.</p><p> </p><div id="article-type-topic-nik48487905-bd96-4735-aab7-70cb79736ec4"><figure><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa166Rk2196n1GAK7GmeSYmCOSMEc1rout0M5VMLTwfj3YWiJ__qEhm49eRBPfns_Ug14="><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/2025_ENVSCAN2.jpg" alt="2025_ENVSCAN2.jpg" width="347" height="186" class="align-center"></a></figure></div></div><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik626ca2db-033c-4fff-8b51-f5d2bd63b50c"><figure><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2FXe2fyzzon8nH3awrzuuW6rFCvPVeKNL6XaWoosiWIAf6HV6FU9gvEljLxSVq5nap0="><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/2025-Annual-EarlyBird.jpg" alt="2025-Annual-EarlyBird.jpg" width="630" height="320"></a></figure><hr><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2></div><div id="article-body-nike2c925fb-d863-4880-b2fb-d4e479512e37"><div id="article-headline-nike5145af0-7bfe-4163-b031-7be683bb6198"><h3>Nominate a rising health care leader for the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship!</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik62e98032-7631-4399-8293-258d2a63d96b"><p>The <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa19VLzf28B5JdATAyBxCPXuKzbnTqOfo5hFGDdttPlnwvbBUNlag-DDiVHFcy9AqiaLo=" target="_blank" id>AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship</a> prepares emerging health care leaders to drive meaningful change within their organizations. Through a year-long capstone project, fellows address key challenges in affordability, cost, quality and safety, <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2Hy0oS2sb48A5ZlnYp2AavRRkEQVzkyBdQzNQpaAnrxU6yWHL-GYw4gtALQ-H46hULo=" target="_blank" id>delivering measurable impact</a> to their hospitals and health systems. With guidance from executive-level mentors, fellows gain the skills and experience needed to lead transformation in health care.</p><p>Recruitment for the 2026 cohort is open until March 31. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop your organization’s future leaders. Please visit our <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa19VLzf28B5JdATAyBxCPXuKzbnTqOfo5hFGDdttPlnwvbBUNlag-DDiVHFcy9AqiaLo=" target="_blank" id>website </a>to learn more about the program and <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2GgA7TQcy39tQIn02xLWhAh6lnsnDVh1CPgVDwIRLCV2OixBhyWRYSQ_bghi3vcR4C4=" target="_blank" id>nominate</a> a high-potential leader from your organization. Together we can make significant contributions to health care as we work together to advance health for all.</p></div><hr><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nikf3c1e6c3-6eb9-43ce-b2a4-7a4c4aaf1067"><h3>Post-acute Care Spotlight</h3></div><div id="article-body-nik4de0a3bb-d885-47a8-82af-c1e4ab8b79c2"><p>The AHA invites members to share your stories, blogs, podcasts, etc. that feature the work your organization and/or team members are doing in the post-acute care space. We encourage you to help us identify collaborations and equitable solutions that address access to quality post-acute care and improved health outcomes that can be shared with our members. </p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2GIKffxtwKetff-Ibl_LUtp3L9ItXIDH6lI0vOqk3oaF_u1t0GC2zTcy7qAUZr_Bs1k=" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p></div><hr><div id="article-headline-nicdfcf8e0-306e-46e5-96e9-89cab1e1910a"><h3>Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h3></div><div id="article-body-ni5efada86-1c4d-4949-a6d5-3381c6f4c725"><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital are challenges for hospitals and the communities they serve. The Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li><div>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</div></li><li><div>Communication and education.</div></li><li><div>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</div></li><li><div>Grants, tools and resources.</div></li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGZB1Wa2G-C-X64gobyhZCnOzs8g192S0HxaS4WZ2lJDQpETzFUY5-Sx2Cx9qPaPs9csQ1YuJE=" target="_blank">visit our website</a>.</p></div> Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:08:51 -0600 Post-Acute Care /news/headline/2025-01-10-aha-urges-medpac-update-payments-hospitals-post-acute-care-and-physicians <div><p lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" paraid="469641693" paraeid="{e2024574-e7fa-418e-a826-140bdd0befef}{215}">The AHA today <a href="/2025-01-10-aha-comments-advance-medpac-january-2025-meeting" target="_blank">urged</a> the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to update payment recommendations for hospitals, post-acute care facilities and physicians in advance of the commission's Jan. 16 public meeting. AHA urged MedPAC to issue a higher update than the current-law market basket update plus an additional 1% for the hospital inpatient and outpatient prospective payment systems.</p></div><div><p lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" paraid="1532011358" paraeid="{e2024574-e7fa-418e-a826-140bdd0befef}{233}">The AHA disagreed with a draft recommendation from the commission in December that would reduce fiscal year 2026 inpatient rehabilitation facility PPS payments by 7%. Instead, the AHA urged MedPAC to support a current-law market-basket update for IRFs. The AHA made similar requests for payments to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.</p></div><div><p lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" paraid="623644176" paraeid="{e2024574-e7fa-418e-a826-140bdd0befef}{251}">MedPAC was also urged by the AHA to recommend a higher update to physician reimbursement that would more fully account for impacts from inflation and physician fee schedule cuts. </p></div> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:44:47 -0600 Post-Acute Care <p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</em><br><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its Post-Acute Care Team, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><h2><br><span>AHA EVENT </span> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</h2><h3>Next Post-acute Care Advocacy call is Jan. 21.</h3><p>Join us on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. ET for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance call featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.</p><p><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong><br><strong>Phone Conference ID:  663 409 476#</strong></p><p><strong>2025 Monthly Call Schedule</strong></p><table width="271" height="78"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Jan. 21</strong></td><td><strong>April 15</strong></td><td><strong>July 15</strong></td><td><strong>Oct. 21</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feb. 18</strong></td><td><strong>May 20</strong></td><td><strong>Aug. 19</strong></td><td><strong>Nov. 18</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>March 18</strong></td><td><strong>June 17</strong></td><td><strong>Sept. 16</strong></td><td><strong>Dec. 16</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><div>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we5yS9Kl2lcCOfyIUg3Fx-FqMMpTnGp-mnOggAZkClWTKPrGWAmBp2-HkZV6Eg9xUsxAc=" target="_blank" id>sbrown@aha.org</a> .</div><div> </div><div>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we59SRjb3Qq2NIs3c1rdlC-1zRjhxWbuVlbF5oOuG-yUaWq6DCITr7Tt_dlUUsSK-cxbY=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a><strong> </strong>for the full calendar of future calls.</div><hr><h2><span>AHA EVENTS</span> | 2025 Calendar</h2><a href="https://ruralconference.aha.org"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_39.png" data-entity-uuid="827669e2-3192-4fde-961d-73ae3051b304" data-entity-type="file" alt="2025 Rural Leadership Conference Banner" width="856" height="311"></a><a href="https://annualmeeting.aha.org/"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_46.png" data-entity-uuid="8e7cca62-8bb6-4e71-84be-9f94b8593c50" data-entity-type="file" alt="2025 Annual Meeting Banner" width="644" height="324"></a><hr><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGY5qBpbdA6VRMaJc9wSDpHbuwKj0vVkFli2L1hXFK_qEkMyQO1zfBCMNWyZskly925I2iZVMk=" target="_blank"><strong>Accelerating Health Equity Conference</strong></a> </p><p>• May 20-22, 2025 • Atlanta<br>Be part of the conversation that brings together hospitals, health systems, public health and community organizations to find ways to build and sustain healthy, equitable communities for all.</p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGY5qBpbXCzbWxt-4x9okHLnvrZbFA91_x-Zo0A8rEvQdlNDmLMw21jJxv7sn1jRVcxlXgiDPQ=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA Leadership Summit</strong></a> • July 20-22, 2025 • Nashville, Tenn.<br>Senior hospital executives and thought leaders will share<br>transformational strategies and innovative approaches that will drive health care into the future.</p><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik626ca2db-033c-4fff-8b51-f5d2bd63b50c"><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nik69fbe123-a3b4-4c36-831d-58273246810b"><h3>Post-Acute Care Spotlight</h3></div><div id="article-body-nike2c925fb-d863-4880-b2fb-d4e479512e37"><p>The AHA invites members to share your stories, blogs, podcasts, etc. that feature the work your organization and/or team members are doing in the post-acute care space. We encourage you to help us identify collaborations and equitable solutions that address access to quality post-acute care and improved health outcomes that can be shared with our members. </p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGY5qBpbUki3KEnCvXIqKOorpKtBjmlDRJuQGDkLMHqWdpO9571iK-uYrmIKQEUDfT3G_MXqg0=" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p><hr><h3>Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h3></div><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital are challenges for hospitals and the communities they serve. The Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li><div>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</div></li><li><div>Communication and education.</div></li><li><div>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</div></li><li><div>Grants, tools and resources.</div></li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank">visit our website</a></p><p> </p> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:48:00 -0600 Post-Acute Care <p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its </em><a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO8pXDzSfjs_3gN6tZAKJj_YHwo3umPCtYxaEH3zdZr_XQDFyTPicSt4SN-ZrveaGJlI%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263828182%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rCxyyuAor48VtiJ4UPJ2Liah4QxeWc9pBVFfoEk0pSc%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>Post-Acute Care Team</strong></a><em>, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><h2><br><span>AHA EVENT </span> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</h2><h3>Next Post-acute Care Advocacy call is Dec. 17</h3><p>Join us on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. ET for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance call featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.</p><p><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong><br><strong>Phone Conference ID:  663 409 476#</strong></p><p><strong>2025 Monthly Call Schedule</strong></p><table width="271" height="78"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Jan. 21</strong></td><td><strong>April 15</strong></td><td><strong>July 15</strong></td><td><strong>Oct. 21</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feb. 18</strong></td><td><strong>May 20</strong></td><td><strong>Aug. 19</strong></td><td><strong>Nov. 18</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>March 18</strong></td><td><strong>June 17</strong></td><td><strong>Sept. 16</strong></td><td><strong>Dec. 16</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><div>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we5yS9Kl2lcCOfyIUg3Fx-FqMMpTnGp-mnOggAZkClWTKPrGWAmBp2-HkZV6Eg9xUsxAc=" target="_blank" id="">sbrown@aha.org</a> .</div><div> </div><div>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we59SRjb3Qq2NIs3c1rdlC-1zRjhxWbuVlbF5oOuG-yUaWq6DCITr7Tt_dlUUsSK-cxbY=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a><strong> </strong>for the full calendar of future calls.</div><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><div id="article-headline-nik007db3e6-e37f-4dc4-b54d-735dab13b138"><h2>Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule for CY 2025</h2></div><div id="article-body-nik8a130b5a-b6aa-42a8-a4aa-3d966b15451b"><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services home health final rule increases home health payments by $85 million, or 0.5%, compared to CY 2024. Further, CMS is applying a behavioral adjustment of negative 1.8% as part of the new Patient Driven Groupings Model implementation, which is half of the proposed adjustment. </p><p>See the AHA’s Regulatory Advisory for AHA’s take and detailed highlights of the <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we6FVqP2SBxBVKNTuUGgrSY6Cn1DoDY2ZOtBTYyouh4svCvuNF1gKmUA5tj4VbO3mZXn4=" target="_blank" id="">home health final rule</a>.</p><figure><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/2025_Rural_EarlyReg-2.jpg" alt="2025_Rural_EarlyReg-2.jpg" width="600" height="305"></figure></div><hr><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2><h2>Post-acute Care Spotlight</h2><p>The AHA invites members to share your stories, blogs, podcasts, etc. that feature the work your organization and/or team members are doing in the post-acute care space. We encourage you to help us identify collaborations and equitable solutions that address access to quality post-acute care and improved health outcomes that can be shared with our members. </p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we5x6GkH7SCgac_1FaUeLbMTrrAAReSqoAmrAas8lkR2z88oi8RudOu2z-zE8BweuoKFk=" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p><hr><h2>Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h2><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital are challenges for hospitals and the communities they serve. The Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li><div>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</div></li><li><div>Communication and education.</div></li><li><div>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</div></li><li><div>Grants, tools and resources.</div></li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGXX4we59SRjb3Qq2NIs3c1rdlC-1zRjhxWbuVlbF5oOuG-yUaWq6DCITr7Tt_dlUUsSK-cxbY=" target="_blank">visit our website</a>.</p><figure><p> </p></figure> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:55:39 -0600 Post-Acute Care <div class="container row"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/post-acut-care-alliance-member-news-update-500px.png" data-entity-uuid="fc2ae4a1-52ee-4c3a-9845-d0c7b53e2bc8" data-entity-type="file" alt="Member News Update Banner" width="502" height="169" class="align-center"></div></div></div><div class="raw-html-embed"><div class="raw-html-embed"> <p> </p> <div class="container row"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-10"> <p> </p> <div class="col-md-9 cc_tabs"> /* reset */ .cc_tabs ul.a-container { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style: none; } .cc_tabs input[type=checkbox] { display: none; } /* style */ .cc_tabs .a-container { width: 100%; margin: 20px auto; } .cc_tabs .a-container label { display: block; position: relative; cursor: pointer; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding: 10px 20px; color: #63666a; background-color: #eee; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; -webkit-transition: all .2s ease; -moz-transition: all .2s ease; -ms-transition: all .2s ease; -o-transition: all .2s ease; transition: all .2s ease; margin-bottom:15px } .cc_tabs .a-container label:after { content: ""; width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #aaa; border-right: 6px solid transparent; border-bottom: 8px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid transparent; position: absolute; right: 10px; top: 16px; } .cc_tabs .a-container input:checked + label, .cc_tabs .a-container label:hover { background-color: 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href="/post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-member-spotlight/2025-03-13-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-march-13-2025">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update March 13, 2025</a></li> </ul> <h3>February</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy-alliance-update/2025-03-05-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-february-13-2025">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update February 13, 2025</a></li> </ul> <h3>January</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2025-02-25-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-january-9-2025">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update January 9, 2025</a></li> </ul> </div></li></ul></div> <div class="tabcontent" id="General"> <ul class="a-container"> <li class="a-items"> 2024 <div class="a-content"> <h3>December</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-12-13-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-december-12-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update December 12, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>November</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-11-16-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-november-16-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update November 18, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>August</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-08-08-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-august-8-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update August 8, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>July</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-07-15-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-july-11-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update July 11, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>June</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-06-13-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-june-13-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update June 13, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>May</h3> <ul> <li></li> </ul> <h3>April</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2024-04-14-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-april-11-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update April 11, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>March</h3> <ul><li><a href="/2024-03-14-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-march-14-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update March 14, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>February</h3> <ul><li><a href="/2024-02-12-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-february-8-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update February 8, 2024</a></li> </ul> <h3>January</h3> <ul><li><a href="/2024-01-12-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-january-12-2024">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update January 12, 2024</a></li> </ul> </div></li></ul></div> <div class="tabcontent" id="General"> <ul class="a-container"> <li class="a-items"> 2023 <div class="a-content"> <h3>December</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy-alliance-update/2023-12-15-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-december-14-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update December 14, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>November</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2023-11-09-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-november-9-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update November 9, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>October</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-10-18-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-october-12-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update October 12, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>September</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2023-09-15-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-september-15-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update September 15, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>August</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-08-10-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-august-10-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update August 10, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>July</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-07-14-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-july-14-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update July 14, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>June</h3> <ul> <li>No Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update for June.</li> </ul> <h3>May</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-05-03-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-special-bulletin-may-2-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Special Bulletin May 2, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>April</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-05-03-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-april-13-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update April 13, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>March</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-03-09-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-march-9-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update March 9, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>February</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-02-10-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-february-9-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update February 9, 2023</a></li> </ul> <h3>January</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2023-01-12-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-january-12-2023">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update January 12, 2023</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <ul class="a-container"> <li class="a-items"> 2022 <div class="a-content"> <h3>December</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/advocacy/2022-12-02-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-december-2-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update December 2, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>November</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-11-10-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-november-10-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update November 10, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>October</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-10-17-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-news-update-october-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update October, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>September</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-09-27-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-september-22-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update September 22, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/2022-09-27-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-september-20-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update September 20, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/2022-09-09-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-september-8-2022">Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Update September 7, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>August</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-08-11-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-august-11-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update August 11, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/seminarseducation/2022-08-03-aha-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-august-2-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update August 2, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>July</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/dataset/2022-07-15-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-newsletter-july-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update July 19, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>June</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-06-12-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-june-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update June 10, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>May</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-05-23-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-may-12-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update May 12, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>April</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/2022-04-14-post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-update-april-14-2022">Post-Acute Care News Update April 14, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>March</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/04/post-acute-care-news-update-3-24-22.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update March 24, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/03/post-acute-care-news-update-3-10-22.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update March 10, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>February</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/2-24-22-Post-acute-care-news-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update February 24, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/2-10-22-Post-acute-care-news-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update February 10, 2022</a></li> </ul> <h3>January</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/1-27-22-Post-acute-care-news-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update, January 27, 2022</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/1-14-22-Post-acute-care-news-update-r.pdf">Post-Acute Care News Update, January 14, 2022</a></li> </ul> </div> <ul class="a-container"> <li class="a-items"> 2021 <div class="a-content"> <h3>December</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/12-17-21-Post-acute-care-Update-r.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - December 17, 2021</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/02/12-9-21-Post-acute-care-Update-r.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - December 9, 2021</a></li> </ul> <h3>November</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/11/11-04-21-post-acute-care-update_0.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - November 4, 2021</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/12/11-23-21-post-acute-care-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - November 23, 2021</a></li> </ul> <h3>October</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/11/10-14-21-post-acute-care-update-f.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - October 14, 2021</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/11/10-28-21-post-acute-care-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - October 28, 2021</a></li> </ul> <h3>September</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/post-acute-care-update-9-9-21.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - September 9, 2021</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/post-acute-care-update-9-23-21.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - September 23, 2021</a></li> </ul> <h3>August</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/8-04-21-Post-acute-care-Update.pdf">August 4, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/8-12-21-post-acute-care-Update.pdf">August 12, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/8-27-21-post-acute-care-update.pdf">Post-Acute Care Update - August 27, 2021</a></li> </ul> <h3>July</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/07/post-acute-care-update-7-9-21.pdf">July 9, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/7-19-21-Post-acute-care-Update.pdf">July 19, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/09/7-23-21-Post-acute-care-Update-r.pdf">July 23, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>June</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/post-acute-care-update-6-10-21.pdf">June 10, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>May</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/post-acute-care-update-5-10-21.pdf">May 10, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/slide-presentation-post-acute-care-update-5-13-21.pdf">May 13, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>April</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-09-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 9, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-15-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 15, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-23-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 23, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-27-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 27, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-28-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 28, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/4-29-21_PACUpdate.pdf">April 29, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>March</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/05/3-25-21_PACUpdate.pdf">March 25, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/06/post-acute-care-update-3-27-21.pdf">March 27, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>February</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/03/2-01-21-Post-acute-care-Update.pdf">February 1, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/03/2-26-21-Post-acute-care-update.pdf">February 26, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>January</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/1-15-21_PACUpdate.pdf">January 15, 2021 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="a-items"> 2020 <div class="a-content"> <h3>April</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/4-28-20-PACUpdate.pdf">April 28, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/4-24-20_PACUpdate.pdf">April 24, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>May</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-22-20-PACUpdate.pdf">May 22, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-21-20-PACUpdate_0.pdf">May 21, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-19-20-PACUpdate.pdf">May 19, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-13-20-PACUpdate.pdf">May 13, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-08-20-PACUpdate.pdf">May 08, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href=/system/files/media/file/2021/01/5-04-20-PACUpdate.pdf">May 04, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>June</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/6-25-20-PACUpdate.pdf">June 25, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href=/system/files/media/file/2021/01/6-17-20-PACUpdate.pdf">June 17, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/6-03-20-PACUpdate.pdf ">June 03, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>July</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/7-27-20-PACUpdate_0.pdf">July 27, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/7-20-20-PACUpdate.pdf">July 20, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/7-16-20-PACUpdate.pdf">July 16, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/7-01-20-PACUpdate.pdf">July 01, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>August</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/08-24-20-PACUpdate.pdf">August 24, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/08-05-20-PACUpdate.pdf">August 05, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/08-04-20-PACUpdate.pdf">August 04, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>September</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/09-14-20-PACUpdate.pdf">September 14, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li>S<a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/09-03-20-PACUpdate.pdf">eptember 03, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>October</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/10-07-20-PACUpdate.pdf">October 07, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/10-01-20_PACUpdate.pdf">October 01, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>November</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/11-24-20-PACUpdate.pdf">November 24, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/11-18-20-PACUpdate.pdf">November 18, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/11-13-20-PACUpdate.pdf">November 13, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/11-06-20-PACUpdate.pdf">November 06, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/11-02-20-PACUpdate.pdf">November 02, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <h3>December</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/12-18-20-PACUpdate.pdf">December 18, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/12-16-20-PACUpdate.pdf">December 16, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/12-07-20-PACUpdate.pdf">December 07, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> <li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/01/12-1-20-pacupdate-.pdf">December 01, 2020 Post-acute Care Update</a></li> </ul> <p> </p> </div> </li> <ul class="a-container"> item 1 <div class="a-content"> <p>====</p> </div> </li> </ul> <div> --> function openCity(evt, cityName) { var i, tabcontent, tablinks; tabcontent = document.getElementsByClassName("tabcontent"); for (i = 0; i < tabcontent.length; i++) { tabcontent[i].style.display = "none"; } tablinks = document.getElementsByClassName("tablinks"); for (i = 0; i < tablinks.length; i++) { tablinks[i].className = tablinks[i].className.replace(" active", ""); } document.getElementById(cityName).style.display = "block"; evt.currentTarget.className += " active"; } // Get the element with id="defaultOpen" and click on it document.getElementById("defaultOpen").click(); </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div></div></div></div> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:58:00 -0600 Post-Acute Care <p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its </em><a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO8pXDzSfjs_3gN6tZAKJj_YHwo3umPCtYxaEH3zdZr_XQDFyTPicSt4SN-ZrveaGJlI%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263828182%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rCxyyuAor48VtiJ4UPJ2Liah4QxeWc9pBVFfoEk0pSc%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>Post-Acute Care Team</strong></a><em>, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals’ and health systems’ unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><h2><br><span>AHA EVENT </span> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</h2><h3>Next Post-acute Care Advocacy calls are Nov. 19 and Dec. 17</h3><p>Join us on Nov. 19 and  Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. ET for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance calls featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our call schedule for the 4th quarter of 2024:</p><table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><strong>Nov. 19</strong></td><td><strong>Dec. 17</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.<br><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong><br><strong>Phone Conference ID:  663 409 476#</strong></p><p>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW3rpDA2hPRC1Oj_a0z6-LLXIJErbNvEBPGj17FW9xLLXc_-6rS4l3uVqAh4w-eXjZEc8uC1A=" target="_blank">sbrown@aha.org</a> .</p><p>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW3rpDA-chGqUR6ZAevF0lKvWBRZQGqSCwp7psX6qIrQjccc66uSmmNkwZV5A4XKF6BAprD9c=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a><strong> </strong>for the full calendar of future calls.</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>AHA to host members-only on the 2024 election results Nov. 18</h3><p>The AHA congratulates the <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJPMyzenskT9J3TEshi8WInNe0D-Dj1hYYNfAlmg-p_Kvht-gY6FR9z_j_97n0XEYC8ws%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263867752%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pTVrhVlhLvQkD75t0GPsA5ueUYftC4WFnvlZ3Ka6Iio%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">president-elect</a> and looks forward to making progress on the many critical issues facing the health care field.</p><p>The AHA is hosting a members-only webcast Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. ET to provide insights on the 2024 election results and how they will affect health care. See <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO9OqoZecIYJfsMjRWwK9wlhizX0SbZx3FRYqLvfEdphwFi4nP36KJYLTPiDMs4gRCSM%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263880303%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LUNqJSvaFuiyaIlKIVJE5b3Gar5obG1k697PRFOymfo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Special Bulletin</strong></a> for more information and to register.</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>AHA makes recommendations supporting CMS’ proposed MAO data collection and audit protocol </h3><p>The AHA Nov.12 voiced strong <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO2ONfh8iOCpStGEGqCdR5Br9eAWWrfRgI9SBSSLvA6YV-AJj5v8jNhp_x_4X7-9zrGc%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263892883%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xmvuHuMbsr7di1y95yfGBPrlFmAgFRyX7NoybtyZUzQ%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">support</a> for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed plan for data collection and reporting requirements for Medicare Advantage organizations. In addition, the AHA supports CMS’ proposed audit protocol, which would assess MAO compliance with MA utilization management program requirements codified in the calendar year 2024 MA final rule.</p><p>The AHA provided detailed comments on the scope and mechanisms for required reporting and identified opportunities to increase public transparency of MAO performance. In addition, the AHA provided specific recommendations to strengthen requirements and reporting related to MAOs’ use of internal coverage criteria, compliance with the two-midnight benchmark and access to post-acute care — where hospitals and health systems report the greatest challenges and concerns with MA practices diverging from Medicare rules and requirements. AHA also identified other priority areas warranting increased oversight, including MAO requests for additional documentation, peer-to-peer requests, member appeals and business practices of third-party vendors.</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>AHA Special Bulletin released for the CY 2025 Home Health Final Rule</h3><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Nov. 1 issued its calendar year 2025 <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO8pBB2lcIaKH1DvLloHLtJ4TD3ruEW-WmSw7QQKEVEuCQoVUjvp7Xg17L3pyt4gUAA8%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263905541%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=XAy1s7JpZlDxl6JzHvB27LqQYIjz%2BJ%2Fi8qwWlrO40Tk%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">final rule for the home health (HH) prospective payment system (PPS)</a>. This <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO55xEi3BvgjdHEDKzSKp0RERuOjms1qSsD5w83QBNr2oOfl6tJrJn92iPua_tqXFcdo%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263918358%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r8fsCR2b88Eu9aoO0tXj0aM55A%2F7S7x4j0OltthqKDY%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>AHA Special Bulletin</strong></a> reviews highlights from this rule. The changes from this rule go into effect Jan. 1, 2025</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>U.S. Senate releases report on Medicare Advantage insurers denying access to post-acute care</h3><p>The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Investigations released a report Oct. 17 entitled “Refusal of Recovery: How Medicare Advantage Insurers Have Denied Patients Access to Post-Acute Care.” The report investigates the three largest MA insurance companies and their practice of “intentionally using prior authorization to boost profits by targeting costly yet critical stays in post-acute care facilities.” Among other findings, the report includes data on denial rates for IRF, LTCH and SNF admissions. The AHA is thoroughly reviewing the report and will be discussing it more in the near future.</p><p>The report can be downloaded at this <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJO7i2kZAWLK6F_9S60VG8vWFX8M1PenrdW4drWVjL5qNe1XCjxrsYTFZ4YiccpG6P3iI%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263931042%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FEmg5QohcnzJLkAkRw0KUolczUW%2Fldr5jGo%2B0kOJgxA%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">link</a>.</p><hr><h2><span>CALL FOR SPEAKER</span>  |  Future of Health Care</h2><h3>2025 AHA Leadership Summit</h3><p>The AHA Leadership Summit, July 20-22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn., brings together health care executives, clinicians and experts presenting insights and solutions to overcome challenges, accelerate innovation and scale change. <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW1aWJOwKSJFwnMivZEeYE8MNux_fELYK9LWGoDJVKlESBt9z8sWaPutCEF_sNrDvupwGinv4%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C87c2330e8d894dfa7aee08dd067db93b%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638673859263943521%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZVqU7iElUAK6Q%2BS4zJr5wad%2BKNO8oBDHsTwMZwEq9Og%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>APPLY NOW</strong></a></p><figure><img src="https://sponsors.aha.org/rs/710-ZLL-651/images/2025_Rural_EarlyReg-2.jpg" alt="2025_Rural_EarlyReg-2.jpg" width="600" height="305"><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nik626ca2db-033c-4fff-8b51-f5d2bd63b50c"><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2></div><div id="article-headline-nik69fbe123-a3b4-4c36-831d-58273246810b"><h3>Post-Acute Care Spotlight</h3></div><div id="article-body-nike2c925fb-d863-4880-b2fb-d4e479512e37"><p>The AHA invites members to share your stories, blogs, podcasts, etc. that feature the work your organization and/or team members are doing in the post-acute care space. We encourage you to help us identify collaborations and equitable solutions that address access to quality post-acute care and improved health outcomes that can be shared with our members. </p><p><a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW3rpDA7XlCBf6xMdESrO-TtVTCn29XmAL-wTRbE32hli6RwuiYLoA5VoGrCDGCU7brYPhcic=" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p><hr></div><div id="article-headline-nicdfcf8e0-306e-46e5-96e9-89cab1e1910a"><h3>Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h3></div><div id="article-body-ni5efada86-1c4d-4949-a6d5-3381c6f4c725"><p>AHA ensures the unique needs of our members are a national priority. Location, size, workforce, payment and access to capital are challenges for hospitals and the communities they serve. The Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance tracks the issues, develops policies and identifies solutions to our most pressing problems. We do this through:</p><ul><li><div>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</div></li><li><div>Communication and education.</div></li><li><div>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</div></li><li><div>Grants, tools and resources.</div></li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGW3rpDA-chGqUR6ZAevF0lKvWBRZQGqSCwp7psX6qIrQjccc66uSmmNkwZV5A4XKF6BAprD9c=" target="_blank">visit our website</a>.</p></div><p> </p></figure> Sat, 16 Nov 2024 08:48:38 -0600 Post-Acute Care /case-studies/2024-11-13-advocate-health-midwest <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2>Overview</h2><p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Advocate-Health-logo.jpg" data-entity-uuid="770e8e21-bc95-41db-a45d-1ba1693b8db2" data-entity-type="file" alt="Advocate Health logo" width="533" height="163" class="align-left">For patients in need of intensive care following hospitalization, Advocate Health is a trusted not-for-profit provider of both in-person and virtual care for seriously and chronically ill patients. With more than 20 years of experience delivering post-acute care, the Advocate Health Continuing Health (AHCH) division, Midwest, touches the lives of more than 24,000 patients each day. Its unique, collaborative care approach leads patients to recover faster and stronger.</p><blockquote><p class="bqtext"><em>Since 2010, its Skilled Nursing Facility Care Program has reduced acute hospital readmissions by 41%.</em></p></blockquote><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><p>The Continuing Health division of Advocate Health provides a comprehensive continuum of post-acute care services that allows the system to quickly adjust to meet the ever-changing needs of patients. In addition to a full spectrum of home health care services, the division’s Midwest region also includes a post-acute network that includes skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term acute care hospitals (LTCHs). This enables AHCH to manage complex care plans and create a positive patient experience. This division prides itself on providing value-based care to improve patient outcomes while also saving the healthcare system money. In the ten years since the start of its Accountable Care Organization (ACO), Advocate Health Midwest has consistently generated roughly $50 million in savings each year, with the Continuing Health division’s post-acute programs being a major contributor to that success.</p></div><div class="col-md-6"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Advocate-Health-County-Coverage-in-Illinois-Wisconsin-Michigan.png" data-entity-uuid="c5234a6f-fd9e-4017-a270-64f0ce18a354" data-entity-type="file" alt="Advocate Health county coverage in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan." width="497" height="700"></p></div></div><p>AHCH is committed to patient-centered care and encourages a care culture of listening to patient needs and concerns, resulting in a more positive patient experience. With the goal of empowering patients, Advocate Health has programs designed to keep patients out of an acute setting for as long as possible.</p><p>In 2010, AHCH began embedding their staff in skilled nursing facilities, which has grown to an in-network group of 65 SNFs that have successfully reduced acute hospital readmissions by 41%.</p><h2>Patient-Payer Mix</h2><p>Most AHCH patients are covered by public payers such as Medicare and Medicaid, which reimburse a disproportionate amount of care at a lower rate than costs. In Illinois, nearly half of AHCH patients are covered by Medicare (46.8%), including Medicare Advantage. Nearly 18% of Illinois patients are covered by Medicaid, while just one-third (32.6%) have commercial insurance. In Wisconsin, the figures are similar: 50.2% of patients are covered by Medicare (three-fourths of whom have Medicare Advantage), 15.4% are covered by Medicaid, and 32.25% are covered by commercial insurance.</p><p>AHCH’s patient population is also older than the average hospital population. This means more patients with severe, chronic conditions and a higher number of comorbidities.</p><h2>Challenges</h2><p>While AHCH continues to provide vital care to patients, it still faces serious challenges, including the serious strains caused by the impact of the pandemic.</p><h3>1. Labor Challenges</h3><p>As many other healthcare settings have recently experienced, AHCH faces shortages of vital staff members like nurses, as high labor costs and inflation continue to pressure the system. With increased demand from sicker patients and reimbursement levels that fail to meet these rising costs, AHCH has had to turn to more expensive temporary and travel workers to fill in the gaps, further exacerbating the labor challenges.</p><h3>2. Medicare Reimbursement</h3><p>The current model for reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimburses providers based on the care type of setting rather than the acuity of the care provided. This means that the payment post-acute care providers receive often does not cover the total costs of the care they provide. The disconnect between the amount CMS reimburses and how much it takes to care for post-acute patients can threaten the financial stability of AHCH and patient access to care.</p><h3>3. Financial Strain</h3><p>As a nonprofit entity, AHCH has found it difficult to remain financially sustainable since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With surging staff and supply costs alongside steep investment declines and decreased patient volume, Advocate Health continues to report large quarterly losses as it struggles to balance its operating margins. As the short-term aid from the federal government begins to end, AHCH may have to turn to cutting some clinical services to continue safely providing patient care.</p>h2 { color:#003087; } h3 { color:#003087; } .bqtext { font-size: 20px !important; color:#003087 !important; } .bqauthor { font-size: 18px !important; color:#307fe2 !important; ] </div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/Advocate-Health-Post-Acute-Care-Case-Study-20241113.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Advocate Health Midwest Post-Acute Care Case Study PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Advocate-Health-Post-Acute-Care-Case-Study-20241113.png" data-entity-uuid="d1d9079d-1d71-4eb2-984c-d5a048b80a73" data-entity-type="file" alt="Advocacy Health Post-Acute Care Case Study page 1." width="690" height="900"></a></p><hr><p><strong><div class="views-element-container"> <section class="top-level-view js-view-dom-id-7f00ccf33f80a37c2ea45d1ca0ee7164cb6c8c83060553f2945a19213aee405f resource-block"> <h2 id="paccasestudies">Post-Acute Care (PAC): Case Studies</h2> <div class="resource-wrapper"> <div class="resource-view"> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-access-level"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="meta custom-lock-position"> <div class="views-field-access-level access-type-public" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="Members only"><a href="/taxonomy/term/278" hreflang="en">Public</a></div> </div></div> </div><div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2024-11-13-advocate-health-midwest" hreflang="en">Advocate Health | Midwest</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-11-13T14:11:31-06:00">Nov 13, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/concord/case-studies/clarify-health" hreflang="en">East Coast Health System Enhances Care Continuity</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-05-31T09:43:24-05:00">May 31, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2024-03-26-chi-living-communities-us" hreflang="en">CHI Living Communities | U.S.</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-03-26T12:55:38-05:00">Mar 26, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-11-27-good-samaritan-society-midwest-us" hreflang="en">Good Samaritan Society | Midwest U.S.</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-11-27T08:48:26-06:00">Nov 27, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"> <span class="field-content"><a href="/case-studies/2023-10-17-rml-specialty-hospital-illinois" hreflang="en">RML Specialty Hospital | Illinois</a></span> </div><div class="views-field views-field-created"> <span class="field-content"><time datetime="2023-10-17T15:43:34-05:00">Oct 17, 2023</time> </span> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="more-link"><a href="/pac-case-studies">More PAC Case Studies</a></div> </section> </div> </strong></p></div></div></div> Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:11:31 -0600 Post-Acute Care /news/headline/2024-10-17-senate-report-scrutinizes-medicare-advantage-prior-authorization-denials-post-acute-care-services <p>A <a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.10.17-PSI-Majority-Staff-Report-on-Medicare-Advantage.pdf">report</a> released Oct. 17 by the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s investigative subcommittee scrutinizes some of the nation's largest Medicare Advantage insurers for their use of prior authorization and high rates of denials for certain types of care. The subcommittee sought documents and information from the three largest MA insurance companies — UnitedHealthcare, Humana and CVS — and investigated their practice of “intentionally using prior authorization to boost profits by targeting costly yet critical stays in post-acute care facilities.”  <br><br>The report found that between 2019 and 2022, UHC, Humana and CVS denied prior authorization requests for post-acute care at far higher rates than other types of care. In 2022, UHC and CVS denied prior authorization requests for post-acute care at approximately three times higher than the companies' overall denial rates, while Humana's prior authorization denial rate for post-acute care was more than 16 times higher than its overall denial rate. The report also found increases in post-acute care service requests subjected to prior authorization and denial rates for long-term acute care hospitals, among other findings.</p> Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:01:56 -0500 Post-Acute Care