Health Care Advocate: April 18, 2024

Table of Contents THA Talks Cyberattack, Site-Neutral Issues and More on D.C. Visit THA’s advocacy staff made the most of its latest journey to Washington, D.C. this week, meeting with the offices of 10 lawmakers in the Texas congressional delegation – including three legislators in person, and staff for both of Texas’ U.S. senators – to stress hospitals’ continued needs…

Health Care Advocate: April 11, 2024

Table of Contents Managed Care Accountability, Improved Access Part of Senate Interim Charges Mental health care access for children, accountability for Medicaid managed care organizations and barriers to obtaining health insurance will all be on the radar of the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services following Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s release of interim areas of study for Senate…

Health Care Advocate: March 28, 2024

Table of Contents Change Healthcare Data Breach Update: THA Meets With TDI This week, THA staff met with the leadership team at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to share updated information related to the Change Healthcare data breach. TDI has instructed payers to seek waivers from prompt-pay requirements if they are unable to meet deadlines. Similarly, providers that anticipate…

HHSC Policy Guidance on QIPP Partnership Criteria

(March 25, 2024) — Dear CEOs and CFOs of QIPP-participating hospitals, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has issued policy guidance regarding the criteria that demonstrate an active partnership between a non-state governmental entity and a nursing facility for the purposes of the Quality Incentive Payment Program (QIPP). Contact: Matt Turner, PhD, senior director, quality and payment, 512/465-1056, [email protected]…

Health Care Advocate: March 21, 2024

Table of Contents State Heeds THA’s Call to Add DSH Advance Payment After Change Cyberattack A push from THA for the state to supply Medicaid provider relief for the Change Healthcare cyberattack bore fruit late last week, as the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced an “off-cycle” advance payment for facilities in the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH)…

Health Care Advocate: March 14, 2024

Table of Contents CMS Announces Accelerated, Advance Payments for Cyberattack With the impacts of the late-February Change Healthcare cyberattack still hanging a cloud over hospitals nationwide, Medicare announced the availability of accelerated and advance payments for certain providers and suppliers, and the leaders of UnitedHealth Group have met with the White House to discuss the breach. The Centers for Medicare…

Take Surveys on Nurse Staffing, Employer Needs

(March 12, 2024) — The Texas Hospital Association is strongly encouraging chief nursing officers (CNOs) to take part in two active studies: one from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies on hospital nurse staffing, and one from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on employer needs. Contact: Matt Turner, PhD, senior director, quality and payment, 512/465-1056, [email protected] The…

Take AHA’s Change Healthcare Cyberattack Survey

(March 11, 2024) — The American Hospital Association has sent out a new survey for hospitals and health systems on the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, and THA is asking its members to respond as soon as possible so AHA can collect responses early this week. Contact: Jennifer Banda, J.D., senior vice president, advocacy and public policy, 512/465-1046, [email protected]…

Health Care Advocate: March 7, 2024

Table of Contents THA, AHA Push for More Help on Cyberattack, Seek Hospital Data THA and the American Hospital Association are continuing work to help membership sort out the implications of the Optum/Change Healthcare cyberattack this week as the federal government announced flexibilities for hospitals to account for the breach – steps that AHA deemed to be an inadequate response.…

Health Care Advocate: Feb. 29, 2024

Table of Contents AHA Stresses Impacts, Federal Urgency Following Optum Breach As hospitals nationwide keep tabs on the continuing impact of last week’s cyberattack on Optum’s Change Healthcare, the American Hospital Association is providing updates to its members and outlining the ramifications of the breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). AHA is posting updates on…