The AHA supports the proposed changes to the redetermination and re-enrollment process for qualified health plans (QHPs) sold through the health insurance exchanges. The proposed changes will ensure greater continuity of coverage as the next open enrollment period begins Nov. 15.
Letters
Throughout the year, the AHA comments on a vast number of proposed and interim final rules put forth by the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, AHA communicates with federal legislators to convey the hospital field's position on potential legislative changes that would impact patients and patient care. Below are the most recent letters from the AHA to these bodies.
Latest
We recommend that the proposed risk-based regulatory framework and strategy for health IT leverage and support existing safety reporting requirements and initiatives and not create a new incident reporting silo labeled “Health IT Safety.”
While we support a number of the inpatient PPS proposed rule’s provisions, we have serious concerns about certain aspects of the Hospital-acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program proposals, the Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) program proposals and the proposed changes to the cost report requirements related to the jurisdiction of the Provider Reimbursement Review Board (PRRB).
The AHA strongly opposes any further proposals to restrict the codes that qualify for the 60% Rule presumptive test, including those in the FY 2015 proposed rule.
CMS’s proposal to change the thresholds that apply to LTCH interrupted stays is unwarranted and should not be implemented.
The AHA encourages CMS and Acumen to factor in the findings and recommendations of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) related to improving the SNF PPS.
The AHA is disappointed that most of the proposed measures – especially the patient experience survey and EHR use measures – provide limited insight on the quality of the behavioral health and substance abuse treatments and services at the center of IPF care.
AHA urges the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to retain and strengthen language in both the House and Senate bill that would enable hospitals to maintain the ability to contract directly with their local Veterans Administration (VA) facilities rather than requiring hospitals to go through a managed care contractor.
We strongly urge you to finalize, as quickly as possible, the proposal to expand providers’ choice of certified EHR technology (CEHRT) to be used in 2014. The proposed flexibility is much needed and would offer more choice in the specific meaningful use requirements they must meet in 2014 (Stage 1 or Stage 2).
The AHA greatly appreciates the planned data collection outlined by CMS. We urge the agency to promptly create its website to provide a centralized repository on public health readiness to electronically receive the data hospitals must submit under the meaningful use program.