Health Services Cost Review Commission members this week considered a request from CareFirst to add funding in hospital rates to continue its Common Model for Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries. In their monthly public meeting, commissioners also approved a second round of regional transformation grants totaling $6.5 million, and were notified that through the first seven months of calendar year 2016, the Medicare Total Cost of Care per beneficiary has grown approximately 1 percent less than the national growth rate.

In the final of a series of public forums to share information about the health care transformation in Maryland, faith and health leaders in Prince George's County gathered Thursday to discuss how hospitals can work with religious leaders to improve the health of their communities. During MHA's presentation, staff informed attendees of the Breath of Fresh Care campaign, which aims to empower health care consumers with valuable information about how to navigate the health care system. The forums, organized by the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, were designed to help the public understand changes to Maryland's health care system brought about by the modernized All-Payer Model, and share information about the Maryland Faith Health Network. 

DHMH is seeking nominees to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Council for two seats reserved for medical professionals who are licensed and practicing in Maryland and who have expertise in providing care for patients with behavioral health disorders. If you are interested or know someone who may be, please contact Brian Frazee at bfrazee@mhaonline.org for application materials. The deadline to apply is November 28.

The fourth of seven webinars with HSCRC staff to provide hospitals with detailed information on the amendment to the All-Payer Model and on care redesign programs is next week (Nov 18); the schedule for the remain webinars is below. The amendment, approved earlier this month:

 

Under the amendment, the first two care redesign programs are:

 

The remaining webinars are:

 

During each webinar, participants can ask questions of HSCRC, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, MHA, and CRISP. Click here to find the registration links for each webinar and the recordings of previous webinars.

 

For many hospitals, attending these webinars will culminate with the signing of a letter of intent - a nonbinding agreement submitted to the HSCRC that indicates interest in participating in one or both of the care redesign programs (Hospital Care Improvement Program and Complex and Chronic Care Improvement Program; details at the top of this page). Please note that the deadline to submit the letter of intent is November 18. Click here for the letter of intent template. In addition, should you submit a letter of intent to the HSCRC, please copy Pat Ross at MHA so we can tabulate the field's participation in the care redesign programs. If you have any questions, contact Nicole Stallings.

The American Hospital Association has launched the United Against the Flu campaign, with several resources available to help hospitals get the word out to patients and communities about how to prepare for flu season. The United Against the Flu web page serves as a home base for the campaign and features infographics, helpful resources like the CDC's flu shot finder tool, and promotional messaging.

Other quick ways to get involved: