The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Friday, July 16.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.

White House

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Health Policy News

  • CMS is providing notifications to facilities that were determined to be out of compliance with Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for CY 2020, which will affect their FY 2022 Annual Payment Update (APU).  Non-compliance notifications are being distributed by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and were placed into facilities’ CASPER folders in QIES, for Hospice and SNFs, and into facilities’ My Reports folders in iQIES for IRFs and LTCHs onJuly 14, 2021.  Facilities that receive a letter of non-compliance may submit a request for reconsideration to CMS via email no later than11:59 pm on August 13, 2021. Facilities that receive a notice of non-compliance and would like to request a reconsideration should see the instructions in their notice of non-compliance and on the appropriate QRP webpage:
  • The Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board application is available for the FY 2023-2025 reclassification cycle.  The current application and reinstatement period is open through September 1, 2021.  MGCRB rules have been updated, effective immediately, to update several administrative items, specifically:
    • MGCRB mailing address (for use with statewide applications)
    • S. Census Bureau links in Appendix C (for most recent reference maps (March 2020))
    • clarification of Rule 3.1 to address acceptance of correspondence subsequent to submitting the initial application

Go here for MGCRB rules, frequently asked questions, and electronic filing support.

Provider Relief Fund

  • The “reporting requirements and auditing” section of the Provider Relief Fund web page has been updated.  The Provider Relief Fund FAQ page also has been updated with new questions on pages 2, 14, 23, and 31.  Fund recipients should review these changes carefully.
    • One particular new question is noteworthy:  on page 31, the question asks “How do I appeal or dispute a decision made?”  The response is:  “HHS recognizes that providers may have questions regarding the accuracy of their PRF payments. HHS is developing a structured reconsiderations process to review and reconsider payment accuracy based on submitted supporting documentation.  Details regarding this process will be provided in coming weeks.”

Department of Health and Human Services

COVID-19

  • HHS has announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce.  Awards will take into particular consideration the needs of rural and medically underserved communities, will seek to help health care organizations establish a culture of wellness  among the health and public safety workforce, and will seek support training that builds resiliency for those at the beginning of their health careers.  There are three funding opportunities for which HHS will accept applications:
  • Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce – approximately 10 awards will be made totaling approximately $29 million over three years to health care organizations to support members of their workforce.  This includes establishing, enhancing, or expanding evidence-informed programs or protocols to adopt, promote, and implement an organizational culture of wellness that includes resilience and mental health among their employees.
  • Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – approximately 30 awards will be made totaling approximately $68 million over three years for educational institutions and other appropriate state, local, Tribal, public, or private non-profit entities training those early in their health careers.  This includes providing evidence-informed planning, development, and training in health profession activities to reduce burnout and suicide and promote resiliency among the workforce.
  • Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – one award will be made for approximately $6 million over three years to provide tailored training and technical assistance to HRSA’s workforce resiliency programs.

See the HHS announcement here.  To apply for the Provider Resiliency Workforce Training Notice of Funding Opportunities, visit Grants.gov.  Applications are due August 30, 2021.

  • HHS has awarded nearly $144 million in American Rescue Plan funding to 102 HRSA Health Center Program look-alikes (LALs) to respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and enhance health care services and infrastructure in communities across the country.  LALs are community-based health care providers that provide essential primary health care services to underserved communities and vulnerable populations but do not otherwise receive HRSA Health Center Program funding.  Learn more in the HHS announcement about the funding, which also has a link to a list of grant recipients.

National Institutes of Health

  • High-dose buprenorphine therapy, provided under emergency department care, is safe and well tolerated in people with opioid use disorder experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative, or the NIH HEAL Initiative.  Go here to learn more.

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)

  • MedPAC has published its annual data book, which provides information on national health care and Medicare spending as well as Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care in the Medicare program, and Medicare beneficiary and other payer liability.  It also examines provider settings and presents data on Medicare spending, beneficiaries’ access to care in the setting, and the sector’s Medicare profit margins, if applicable.  Find the data book here.

Congressional Research Service

  • In June the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for the prevention of the transmission of COVID-19 in health care employment settings.  OSHA has not used this authority since 1983, and the Congressional Research Service has prepared a report on what the ETS means and how it works.  Find that report here.

Stakeholder Events

Monday, July 19 – National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)

Mission-Ready Packages Workshop for Resource Providers

Monday, July 19 at 1:00 pm ET  Click here for registration

NEMA is hosting a workshop on developing mission ready packages (MRPs). MRPs are specific response or recovery capabilities that have been created to ensure the skills, capabilities, and associated costs are bundled prior to an emergency or disaster for more efficient deployment. These workshop sessions are designed for resource providers. A resource provider is any organization that is able to deploy under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and that has capabilities that might be needed during an emergency response. Previous knowledge of EMAC or MRPs is not required.

Tuesday, July 20 – Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements

Tuesday, July 20 at 3:00 pm ET

HRSA will host a recorded Reporting Technical Assistance session to provide technical assistance on reporting requirements for Provider Relief Fund recipients and stakeholders.  To register for the July 20 session go here.

Wednesday, August 4 – Centers for Disease Control

Zoonoses and One Health Update (ZOHU) Call

Wednesday, August 4 at 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET – Click here for more information

ZOHU Calls are one-hour monthly webinars that provide timely education on zoonotic and infectious diseases, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, vector-borne diseases, recent outbreaks, and related health threats at the animal-human-environment interface.