/ en Sat, 26 Apr 2025 12:18:48 -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 Advocacy Alliance Member Spotlight <p class="text-align-center"><em><strong>Your guide to the latest post-acute care news and resources</strong></em></p><p><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%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGUQNugcwKlBevN0aSAm9d5I_oPInyhZFXjZF3MG9fcv2S1I7zpx2yItd8w4ORpu-Q348uTVAM%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7Cea0016dffa794e83567b08dca1a9a8bb%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638562997266581807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zSBYWB7q3qmvwgp1C0Xa3UN%2BIuR7u6AiqbvobuH1I78%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><hr><h2><span>AHA EVENT  |  </span><span>POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</span></h2><h3>Next Post-acute Care Advocacy calls are Aug. 20 and Sept. 17</h3><p>Join us on Aug. 20 and Sept. 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 second half of 2024:</p><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="284" height="55"><tbody><tr><td>Aug. 20</td><td>Sep. 17</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 15</td><td>Nov. 19</td><td>Dec. 17</td></tr></tbody></table><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>As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions for future calls. Please send your ideas for topics and/or speakers to  <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGUQNugc969IDIqKKrG_tXsdI57kAFJIPOQTMBuV98hSjr0JBDWQiUCAFVEIUT2rLSy8pSMUvk%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7Cea0016dffa794e83567b08dca1a9a8bb%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638562997266589058%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zC4DljJctiToQnbX7mUTTZhHla2qR7iI6s9l7ario6Q%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>sbrown@aha.org</strong></a>. </p><p>Visit  <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGUQNugcwKlBevN0aSAm9d5I_oPInyhZFXjZF3MG9fcv2S1I7zpx2yItd8w4ORpu-Q348uTVAM%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7Cea0016dffa794e83567b08dca1a9a8bb%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638562997266597224%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VHJo9w0dmismOfQNGfAWCaHD21sQQSa%2B4MPmmHFklzc%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a> for the full calendar of future calls.</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>CMS Releases FY 2025 Long-term Care Hospital PPS Final Rule</h3><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 1 issued policy changes to the long-term care hospital standard rate payment system that will increase payments by 2.0%, or $45 million, in fiscal year 2024 relative to FY 2024. This includes a 3.0% market basket update, a cut of 0.5 percentage points for productivity, and a cut related to outlier payments, among other policies. Specifically due to an increase in the outlier threshold, CMS will reduce outlier payments as a percentage of total LTCH PPS standard federal payment rate payments by 0.8%. CMS also finalized a rebasing of the LTCH market basket using a 2022 base year.</p><p>In a statement shared with media, Molly Smith, AHA group vice president for public policy, said, “We are troubled that the final long-term care hospital outlier threshold is nearly 30% higher than it is currently. Since FY 2021, this figure has increased by more than 180%, which forces these hospitals to absorb hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional losses when caring for the sickest patients. This increase will create serious access issues for patients and put additional burden back on acute-care hospitals and other providers that do not specialize in caring for this unique patient population.”</p><p>While CMS did not adopt or remove any quality measures from the LTCH Quality Reporting Program, the agency finalized its proposal to adopt and modify certain patient assessment items for health-related social needs; LTCHs will be required to collect and report specific data elements related to living situation, food and utilities beginning with the FY 2028 LTCH QRP. CMS also extends the window in which patient assessments must be done from three to four days after admission.</p><p>Provisions of the final rule generally take effect Oct. 1. AHA’s <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ_9rgm1VKkBbwpuWfN556bbIPi8wY38Khetq0xhNV21yaDHnjSCA1wdw_xNsgnVc69M%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503154432%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1OUQamuVXorC4bjS9hDrN2XerV4prmEy9d1govx4MUM%3D&reserved=0"><strong>Special Bulletin</strong></a> reviews highlights of the LTCH provisions in the rule. The inpatient PPS and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Transforming Episode Accountability Model provisions are covered in a separate Special Bulletin..</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>CMS Finalizes 4.2% Payment Update in FY 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility PPS Final Rule</h3><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 31 issued its fiscal year 2025 final rule for the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, which will increase aggregate Medicare spending by 4.2%, or $1.4 billion, compared to FY 2024. This reflects a 3% market basket update, a 1.7 percentage-point increase to counter the agency’s market basket error in FY 2023, and a 0.5 percentage-point cut for productivity. CMS also revised its regulations regarding its nursing home enforcement authority to allow the agency to impose additional financial penalties on facilities where health and safety deficiencies are identified.</p><p>While CMS did not propose to adopt or remove any quality measure from the SNF Quality Reporting Program, the agency finalized its proposal to adopt and modify certain patient assessment items. CMS also finalized a number of operational updates to the SNF Value-based Purchasing program. The agency also makes an update to the case mix methodology to calculate the Total Nurse Staffing measure.</p><p>See the AHA <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ_-jkPtYY2aD2CiBLFOrRWTq4pBDvhG8i_dU5jBWdxp8k7Sr-4mOmZnFCBZ0C8vfpKo%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503160709%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=21l3Nmw4DZS9T1wmSZDs6jQbfYLIKjTzey0Op3qCbJQ%3D&reserved=0"><strong>Special Bulletin</strong></a> highlighting provisions from the final rule.</p><hr><h2><span>ADVOCACY</span></h2><h3>CMS Releases FY 2025 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS Final Rule</h3><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 31 issued its final rule for the inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2025, which will update IRF payments by an estimated 3% overall, or $300 million, in FY 2025. This includes a 3.5% market basket update, which is reduced by a 0.5 percentage-point cut for productivity. However, IRF payments will be further decreased by an estimated 0.2%, or $20 million, due to the updated outlier threshold.  </p><p>While CMS did not propose to adopt or remove any quality measure from the IRF Quality Reporting Program, the agency finalized its proposal to adopt and modify certain patient assessment items.</p><p>See the AHA <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ_9rgm1VKkBbwpuWfN556bbIPi8wY38Khetq0xhNV21yaDHnjSCA1wdw_xNsgnVc69M%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503167734%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5AMJ2wTZ%2FitLjV8VL4gd8gCf5UF%2FTuJlkezDIWGEq2c%3D&reserved=0"><strong>Special Bulletin</strong></a> highlighting provisions from the final rule.</p><hr><h2><span>CALL FOR SUBMISSION </span><span>| </span><span>RURAL HEALTH</span></h2><h3>2024 Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award</h3><p><em>Application deadline: Aug. 31</em></p><p>Each year, AHA Rural Health Services honors a team that has displayed outstanding leadership and responsiveness to their community’s health needs and demonstrated a collaborative community process that led to measurable outcomes.<strong> </strong><a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ1clVC9LmRWzkzwQ-1Z0yNTUkDtqfm3Dzdly1wMOnIa9-6LxEJm2Okdhq3ES-bUjIQA%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503173650%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3rR1dFUHgZK6IGQvWGyZIF3llTYNtV9OwmypYGz28no%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE.</strong></a></p><hr><h2><span>CALL FOR APPLICATIONS</span> <span>|</span> HEALTH EQUITY</h2><h3>2025 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award</h3><p><em>Application deadline: Oct. 1</em></p><p>Now with three new award categories, this award recognizes hospitals and health systems that have made outstanding efforts to advance equity of care. Applicants must have registered for the Health Equity Roadmap and completed the Health Equity Transformation Assessment by the time of application. <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ-6qNZqtCfasCpYSyJy1cog0n9tpeiVfI4xOV4xsg76FvyM6GlPd0pYtZo8anwEcavY%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503179375%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=N%2FfxsxSnop7W%2BJ8WsDiX%2BCscMUs6BZaPAf86bhIeABE%3D&reserved=0"><strong>APPLY NOW</strong></a></p><hr><h2><span>AHA OPPORTUNITY</span></h2><h3>Post-Acute Care Spotlight</h3><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://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGU0rYzQ9FH9gcybH7rw18XQ3j6kNsUMfuz57SNWm5JGWio2Z6ejnhyLZ20zJppXvzL_NM-HzU%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7C044505aef1784665970508dcb7eb13bf%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638587467503185138%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NaFvflcYzYmiWxi%2BgQ5PdJEM7aXbRorvdpupmZXdWqU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>Submit your stories here.</strong></a></p><hr><p><strong>Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance</strong></p><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 type="disc"><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education.</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance.</li><li>Grants, tools and resources.</li></ul><p>For additional information, <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGUQNugcwKlBevN0aSAm9d5I_oPInyhZFXjZF3MG9fcv2S1I7zpx2yItd8w4ORpu-Q348uTVAM%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7Cea0016dffa794e83567b08dca1a9a8bb%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638562997266655984%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ecVOKaLQtwD6aG34zPohET8okGwnQZg2C8V0fIz1Q48%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><strong>visit our website</strong></a>.</p> Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:59:00 -0500 Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Member Spotlight <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p><em>The following is a compilation of recent news from the AHA and its <strong>Post-acute Care Team</strong>, whose focus is to ensure post-acute care facilities', hospitals' and health systems' unique needs are national priorities.</em></p><hr><p><span><strong><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/annual-mtg-image.jpg" data-entity-uuid="42aecfff-cfba-46b9-b239-a06d87824752" data-entity-type="file" width="188" height="188" vspace="10px" hspace="10px" class="align-left"></strong></span><br><span><strong>CONFERENCE </strong></span><strong> |  ADVOCACY AND POLICY</strong></p><div id="article-body-nik3cfda8c7-3e24-4c5f-86f2-641a800aaec7"><h3>AHA Annual Membership Meeting</h3><p><span>APRIL 14-16 | WASHINGTON D.C.</span></p><p>Join fellow hospital leaders in Washington, D.C., from April 14-16 for insightful conversations with policymakers, legislators and thought leaders on the most pressing issues facing our field. With a focus on AHA’s key advocacy priorities, the meeting will provide strategies to help shape policy and advocate for patients, caregivers and communities to advance health in America. <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZW6Nm1rTnepqUutVipwV5kDqXRzORzrx5APUwiiYB3aNAG65-YYmPLNxjo53accBMRI=" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LEARN MORE »</strong></a></p><p><strong>Post-Acute Care Update featured at AHA Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 15, 2–3 p.m. ET</strong></p><p>The growing Medicare Advantage population and barriers to care creates challenges for hospitals and their post-acute care partners. Join leaders in the field for insights and approaches to tackling these challenges.</p><p><em><strong>Jim Prister</strong></em><br>President and CEO, RML Specialty Hospital</p><p><em><strong>Samuel Hammerman, M.D., MMM, CPE, FCCP</strong></em><br>Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Select Medical</p><p><em><strong>Jerilyn Morrisey</strong></em><br>Chief Medical Officer, CorroHealth</p><hr><p><span><strong>ADVOCACY </strong></span></p><div id="article-headline-nik112b650d-e137-4cc9-a57a-baf6387afd0f"><h3>CMS releases FY 2025 proposed rule for long-term care hospitals</h3></div><div id="article-body-nikec1c808a-2873-485a-acd6-734689e89984"><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on April 11 <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZoLZjSy_qzAAOfeIHEfSH8xrQE-EEoDwa0E0hXaLa7FZvZpdLMcd2yxNUXFJ_8tCKRE=">proposed</a> increasing long-term care hospital standard rate payments by 1.2% in fiscal year 2025 relative to FY 2024.</p><p>In a <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZbcmLk2lgMj-lAP7bhXoAkspXWa6gyagE5UxPOYerSCFFHTuXex11Oa9s0qUyR6Ehgo=">statement</a> shared with the media, Ashley Thompson, AHA’s senior vice president for public policy analysis and development, said AHA is “disappointed that CMS has proposed to increase the long-term care hospital outlier threshold, once again, by an extraordinary amount. Expecting LTCHs to absorb an additional $31,048 loss per patient would greatly exacerbate the resource challenges these hospitals face.</p><p>CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through June 10. AHA members will receive a Special Bulletin with further details on the rule.</p></div><hr><p><span><strong>ADVOCACY </strong></span></p><h3>AHA Special Bulletins summarize FY 2025 IRF, SNF proposals</h3><p>AHA last week released detailed summaries of the <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZdRmB98mnyUM7hj146ZSvD_nfCUQoxGDxjjYRAwnMCsVOF7ozTJm73uY6XkfoC_8dz8=">inpatient rehabilitation facility</a> and <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZdZFIVak4BcLh6CkUkAj1KFyVI31e86GWSA3KGPtl_d1_7pYwAZHknt4KAww3srFg4E=">skilled nursing facility</a> provisions in the prospective payment system proposed rules for fiscal year 2025.</p><p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services March 27 issued its <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZUIMynvR6EFIqNMbhYLvxWAHyAzgRqGB3wt2fZ5owSpn5D-y4mOty7Oq7RoYLnOMx1s=">proposed rule</a> for IRF PPS for FY 2025. This rule would update IRF PPS payments by an estimated 2.8% overall (or $280 million) relative to the current fiscal year, as required, along with several proposed routine updates to the payment system and quality reporting program. <br> </p><p>On March 28, CMS released a <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZYSdzCv7qv_yDlN8MLuckDqS13NfRB8qV6mVW7U0b5drwObID3CPzppST0TLqeH6Jhs=">proposed 4.1% payment update for skilled nursing facilities</a> which reflects a proposed 2.8% market basket update, a 1.7 percentage-point increase to counter the agency’s market basket error in FY 2023, and a 0.4 percentage-point productivity decrease. The agency also proposes to revise regulations regarding its nursing home enforcement authority to allow the agency to impose additional financial penalties on facilities where health and safety deficiencies are identified.</p><hr><p><span><strong>AHA EVENT </strong></span><strong> |  POST-ACUTE CARE CALLS</strong></p><h3>Next Post-acute Care Advocacy call is May 21</h3><p>Join us on May 21 at 2 p.m. ET  for the next Post-acute Care Advocacy call featuring updates on regulatory news and the latest policy and legislative information in the post-acute care area.</p><p>Our new platform for our monthly member calls will be audio only via Microsoft Teams.</p><div><div><strong>Dial-in: +1 773-917-4239</strong></div><div><strong>Phone Conference ID: 431 953 877#</strong></div><div><br>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/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZk3MKrzBhbOs7ADMil7Tk1eJ2cjbOhR6gvOKaYNlq-7ohcuhNbBTXOHnGmkwmr7RysE=" target="_blank">sbrown@aha.org</a> or <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZqOQlYldDTpRVX2XMiWSqbm4MfkdCu11fE0W7fX3z3SFOXZE7XJhaOrSEbtJwuw6QBw=">rcoffey@aha.org</a>.</div></div><div><br>Visit <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZZ7sOzLT0_aqXMofzdvJ42d0GS-p_MkAA8hCLF4DE1xw3e0d2An_p-R1WNg_QXuu1gc=" target="_blank"><strong>AHA's Post-acute Care website</strong></a> for the full calendar of future calls. </div><hr><h3>Change Healthcare Cyberattack Updates</h3><p>AHA continues its coverage of the recent cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group subsidiary <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZThucsq5RUlblt0ZGL7YuM1Kplyy4S87sUUrVDcS1ZWvq3cHyAxkFCCrbH7_RToi8zw=">Change Healthcare</a> with important information for hospitals and health systems amid this ongoing, evolving situation.</p><hr><p><span><strong><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/accelerating-health-image-4-11-24.jpg" data-entity-uuid="99c058ca-98b1-404f-88d0-202e3c7ecfd8" data-entity-type="file" alt="Accelerating Health Conference Image" width="188" height="188" vspace="10px" hspace="10px" class="align-left"></strong></span><br><span><strong>EDUCATION</strong></span><strong>  |  CONFERENCE</strong></p><h3>2024 Accelerating Health Equity Conference</h3><p>Registration is open for the 2024 Accelerating Health Equity Conference, a joint event hosted by AHA’s Association for Community Health Improvement and Institute for Diversity and Health Equity May 7-9, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Over 1,000 leaders from hospitals, health systems and public health/community organizations will convene to share expertise and resources on how to drive change and build healthier communities. <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZTxcuBb-v2XqdcT4oTH1aO2qdLhsETOd7a4ffoiicihe41HItvs-vZDeLNJimwDPRvw=" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE »</strong></a></p><hr><p><span><strong>CONFERENCE</strong></span><strong> | FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE</strong></p></div><h3>2024 AHA Leadership Summit</h3><p><em>Early Bird deadline: June 7</em></p><p>Health care executives, clinicians and field experts will convene in San Diego from July 21-23 to gain actionable strategies and in-depth knowledge to overcome challenges, accelerate innovation and transformation and scale change. <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZVIqUmq_oq_ykPbXFNaHVA21Rw1rk2FxAtHx2wgu53wDxFmxe1nd-YI9A-PyxgYZ2Mw=" target="_blank" id><strong>LEARN MORE »</strong></a></p><hr><div id="article-type-topic-nika2cda2f7-96c7-4f8a-9811-85311533bbf4"><p><span><strong>AHA OPPORTUNITY</strong></span></p></div><div id="article-headline-nik2fed0517-a3d9-401d-b9d6-985614281522"><div id="article-body-nik294ecd82-def6-4b7f-bcb9-de5793ed4e71"><div id="article-headline-nikd2f48384-5808-4250-a8a9-e5bff31fba44"><h5>Post-acute Care Spotlight</h5></div><div id="article-body-nik294ecd82-def6-4b7f-bcb9-de5793ed4e71"><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>Submit your stories <a href="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGSfEduZvzDiJlQhsP0j6kaAAf3a8nQuI2PDqYR7qkzShIer9xZl0BOY88D9bHhrLVJlDOJcjQ="><strong>here</strong></a>.</p></div><hr></div></div><h3>Post-acute Care Advocacy Alliance</h3><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 type="disc"><li>Representation and advocacy in Washington, D.C.</li><li>Communication and education</li><li>Executive leadership and technical assistance</li><li>Grants, tools and resources</li></ul><p>For additional information, visit our <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femail.membership.aha.org%2FNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGQCENwYizPnHgEgG0xWniRuG61HYPSOiY3Zpi7WG412VrJ4Nb-2ZTTRSBMvOs4MZRL3MiZv-o%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cdsamuels%40aha.org%7Cd684a89e390e4f49702b08dbfcc6f376%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638381703657112583%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=13Abahf%2FtaS1xYyYHbVL7Z%2FX9ZIyLUSAjh8F%2FIfhTyI%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" id originalsrc="https://email.membership.aha.org/NzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGQCENwYizPnHgEgG0xWniRuG61HYPSOiY3Zpi7WG412VrJ4Nb-2ZTTRSBMvOs4MZRL3MiZv-o=" shash="X30noa2IdixBa4iLgdzcVRZNYlbchMTybFLwq8DiprIBvyqlYL+2ctb3G06ydDgVl8c3JvOJkDc/Rl6UR120Q77apy1D4XxH66W5gkXUAvbq7zs/RMt1/eY6M/NaxfPjSxmVEY65gkxeVQfheudZDR6Jc6kzv+aYv420urQKbk0="><strong>website</strong></a>.</p></div></div></div><hr> Sun, 14 Apr 2024 11:04:45 -0500 Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Member Spotlight <div class="container row"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRbfEFJU_Ws" target="_blank" title="Watch the Carolinas Rehabilitation Creates System, Overturns Medicare Advantage Denials video on YouTube."><img alt="Brian Moore, MD, headshot. Physician Leader of Utilization Management, Physician Advisor Services, Atrium Health" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="222cf781-f668-46cd-a4cf-49ee3393e8a9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Moore-Brian-Headshot.jpg" width="1500" height="2100"></a> </div> <div class="col-md-7"> <p>Brian Moore, MD<br> Physician Leader of Utilization Management<br> Physician Advisor Services<br> Atrium Health</p> <p><strong><a href="/topics/post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-member-spotlight" target="_blank"><span>View Archives</span></a></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <div> <h5 class="text-align-center"><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank"><span>Visit the Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance for more information.</span></a></h5> <p><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2022-04/banners-post-acute-care-advocacy-stacked.jpg"></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 03 May 2022 15:12:37 -0500 Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Member Spotlight <div class="container row"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <a href="/news/blog/2021-09-16-new-post-acute-care-model-falls-short"><img src="/sites/default/files/2021-12/kurt-hoppe-md-headshot.jpg" /></a> </div> <div class="col-md-7"> <p>Post-acute care (PAC) providers continue to play a central role in COVID-19 response and recovery. In particular, providers in COVID-19 hotspots have been crucial to helping take the pressure off over-crowded referring hospitals and providing specialized care for the sickest patients — including “long-haul” patients requiring extended care after the initial period of illness has been resolved.</p> <p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/news/blog/2021-09-16-new-post-acute-care-model-falls-short">View More</a></p> <p>Kurt Hoppe, MD<br /> Vice Chair, Inpatient Clinical Practice Department of<br /> Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation<br /> Mayo Clinic</p> <p><strong><a href="/topics/post-acute-care-advocacy-alliance-member-spotlight" target="_blank"><span>View Archives</span></a></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <div> <h5 class="text-align-center"><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank"><span>Visit the Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance for more information.</span></a></h5> <p><a href="/advocacy/long-term-care-and-rehabilitation" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2022-04/banners-post-acute-care-advocacy-stacked.jpg" /></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 03 May 2022 13:42:52 -0500 Post-Acute Care Advocacy Alliance Member Spotlight