The Latest News From SDAHO

Nominees sought for Circle of Life Awards

Long Term Care News May 15, 2017

Nominees are being sought for the Circle of Life Awards, which celebrates innovation in palliative and end-of-life care. The awards will give top honors in 2018 to up to three programs or organizations.

Open Payments 2016 review and dispute period ends May 15

Federal News May 12, 2017

The American Hospital Association (AHA) says physicians and teaching hospitals may review and dispute 2016 payments reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program through May 15.

State seeks input on State Plan of Aging for 2017-2021

Long Term Care News May 11, 2017

In preparation for the next version of the State Plan on Aging, the Department of Human Services' Division of Long Term Services and Supports is seeking comments to the drafted State Plan on Aging for 2017-2021. The public comment period will be open until May 25 and a public hearing will be held on May 23.

Celebrate national health care weeks

Member News May 10, 2017

Each year in May, the nation celebrates National Hospital Week (May 8-12), National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20). This is a time when we pause to recognize the organizations and individuals who care for us when we are in our most fragile condition.

Happy National Nurses Week

Member News May 10, 2017

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. The nursing profession has been supported and promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896.

AHCA moves to the Senate

Federal News May 10, 2017

The Senate began work this week on the House version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as scoring from the congressional budget office (CBO) is sought. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has appointed a working group that will overhaul most, or all of the House version of the bill.

Registration open for SD Rural Health Leaders Conference

Education News May 10, 2017

Registration is open for the South Dakota Rural Health Leaders Conference, planned for June 14-15 at the Drifters Conference Center in Fort Pierre. This new event for rural health leaders has been planned by the South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, the Office of Rural Health and SDAHO.

CMS delays implementation of HCBS settings final rule

Federal News May 10, 2017

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a letter announcing a delay in the implementation for the HCBS rule standards, extending the deadline to March 17, 2022. We have been working with LeadingAge to advocate for the delay since the rule was released.

May health care observances

Member News May 8, 2017

May is filled with many other health care celebrations in addition to this week's National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Also on the bill are Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and next week's National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20).

LeadingAge launches campaign to save HUD elderly housing program

Federal News May 8, 2017

LeadingAge on Monday launched a new campaign aimed at saving the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program. LeadingAge says a large and rapidly expanding population of low-income older adults faces the challenge of finding affordable, safe housing that can accommodate changing needs as they grow older.

DOH: South Dakota reports lowest ever rate of infant deaths in 2016

State News May 8, 2017

South Dakota reported its lowest ever rate of infant deaths in 2016. The state Department of Health says new data shows 12,270 births and 59 infant deaths in 2016 for a rate of 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. That’s a drop from 7.3 in 2015 and below the previous low of 5.5 in 2000.

Health care industry adds 19,500 jobs in April

Federal News May 8, 2017

New labor statistics show the health care industry added 19,500 jobs in April. The seasonally adjusted numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increase of 4,200 jobs for hospitals and an increase of 1,100 jobs in nursing and residential care facilities from March.

AHA Annual Meeting and congressional visits

Member News May 7, 2017

A delegation of our members traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to attend the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and to meet with members of the South Dakota congressional delegation.

House passes bill that repeals, replaces parts of ACA

Federal News May 4, 2017

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a retooled version of a bill aimed at repealing and replacing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate. The House approved the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a slim 217-213 margin. A timeline for consideration by the Senate is undetermined.

Today is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Member News May 4, 2017

Today, May 4, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. The commemoration focuses on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders. The 2017 national theme is “Partnering for Help and Hope.”

DSS mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals

Data News May 2, 2017

The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) is mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) audit and reporting rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008.

CMS sending out MIPS participation status letters

Quality News May 1, 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reviewing claims and letting practices know which clinicians need to take part in MIPS, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, part of the new Quality Payment Program.

CMS solicits stakeholder and public input for future QIO program phase

Quality News May 1, 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently hosted a special session to gather information from stakeholders, including the public, to refine high priority areas for addressing emerging health and healthcare delivery issues within the next phase of the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program, known as the 12th Scope of Work (SoW), which is to be awarded in 2019.

CMS holds call on the emergency preparedness rule

Federal News May 1, 2017

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently held a call on the emergency preparedness rule. The implementation date of the rule is Nov. 15, 2017.

Final NURSE Corps technical assistance call is Tuesday

Education News April 28, 2017

NURSE Corps Scholarship applicants are encouraged to participate an application technical assistance conference call on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. CDT/1-3 p.m. MDT.

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