This week, our In Focus section reviews the policy changes included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Final Rule (CMS-1735-F). This year’s IPPS Final Rule includes several important policy changes that will change hospitals’ administrative procedures and may alter hospitals’ Medicare margins, beginning as soon as October 1, 2020.
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Health Management Associates Acquires Health Policy Consulting Firm Burns & Associates
Today, Jay Rosen, founder and president of Health Management Associates (HMA), announced the firm’s acquisition of Burns & Associates, Inc., an Arizona-based health policy consulting firm that specializes in innovative approaches to the financing and delivery of health care and human services.

Health Management Associates, HealthEC Announce New Collaboration
Today, Jay Rosen, founder and president of Health Management Associates (HMA), and Arthur Kapoor, president and CEO of HealthEC, announced the two firms have engaged in an effort designed to accelerate improvements in healthcare service delivery and outcomes.

Webinar Replay: Leveraging the Primary Care Team’s Strengths During Reopening: Part 3 – Payment and Documentation
This webinar was held on July 29, 2020.
In this webinar, HMA primary care experts discussed current payment flexibilities that allow physician practices to maintain revenues while operating in a virtual environment. Given the likelihood that many patients will continue to receive care virtually even after the pandemic, HMA experts explored mechanisms for alternative payment models that support virtual care and allow for efficient use of the care team. Speakers also shared necessary considerations for documentation to assure data capture and appropriate billing.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss current relaxation of regulations related to the National Emergency Declaration and CMS flexibility.
- Understand the use of alternative payment models to enhance revenue opportunities for practices providing virtual care.
- Understand the need for new templates and order sets to support virtual care.
- Discuss EHR optimization to improve care processes and capture data.
Speakers
Helen Duplessis, MD, Principal, Los Angeles, CA
Lisa Harrison, MS, MHS, PA-C, Senior Consultant, Denver, CO
Roxane Townsend, MD, Managing Principal, Raleigh, NC

HMA announces cancellation of 2020 annual conference
Health Management Associates has made the decision to cancel its October 2020 conference on Trends in Publicly Sponsored Healthcare, given continuing developments concerning COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of attendees, speakers, and staff. Full refunds will be made to registered attendees and sponsors.

Webinar Replay: Nursing Home Revenue Diversification and Care Options Series: Understanding the Impact of Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Ratings
This webinar was held on July 24, 2020.
Even before COVID-19, nursing homes struggled with staffing shortages, inadequate reimbursement rates, and declining occupancy rates. The pandemic has amplified these challenges, forcing nursing homes to consider options for diversifying revenues and broadening services for both residents and individuals who qualify for institutional status but reside in the community. During this webinar (the second in a series), HMA quality experts will provide an overview of the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System and its impact on nursing homes.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the components of the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Find out how Nursing Home Compare ratings impact a nursing home’s business.
- Learn the strengths and limitations of Nursing Home Compare as a true measure of nursing home quality.
HMA Speakers
Doug Elwell, COO, Chicago, IL
Susan Tucker, Principal, Tallahassee, FL

Webinar Replay: Leveraging the Primary Care Team’s Strengths During Reopening: Part 2 – Adapting the Environment
This webinar was held on July 22, 2020.
Before reopening for in-person visits, primary care practices must address a wide variety of safety considerations, including infection control protocols; modifications to offices, waiting areas, and exam rooms; staffing and workflow issues; and other strategies that minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for both patients and staff. During this 30-minute webinar, HMA primary care experts discussed best practices for successfully reopening primary care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learning Objectives
- Understand key clinical, physical office, and financial considerations for reopening primary care practices to in-person patient care.
- Learn about the availability of decision-support tools and resources to assist primary care practices with reopening.
- Find out about infection control protocols and other best practices to ensure the safety of patients and staff during reopening.
- Learn how the “new normal” of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic variously impacts clinicians, administrative staff, and leadership, including a look at new protocols and workflows.
Speakers
Karen Hill, PhD, ANP-C, MSN, RN, Senior Consultant, San Francisco, CA
Brittany LaBarreare, Senior Consultant, Austin, TX
Gail Mayeaux, Principal, Albany, NY
Deb Peartree, Senior Consultant, Albany, NY

Early Bird Registration Expires July 29 for HMA Conference, October 26-27 in Chicago
Be sure to register soon for HMA’s conference on What’s Next for Medicaid, Medicare, and Publicly Sponsored Healthcare: How Payers, Providers, and States Are Navigating a Future of Opportunity and Uncertainty, October 26-27, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. The Early Bird registration rate of $1595 per person expires on July 29. After that, the rate is $1795.

Webinar Replay: Leveraging the Primary Care Team’s Strengths During Reopening: Part 1 – The Workforce
This webinar was held on July 15, 2020.
In this three-part series, HMA experts will cover topics that are important for primary care practices to consider and employ as they reopen for face-to-face visits.
As primary care practices reopen around the country, many of them are adopting novel hybrid models combining in-person and virtual care. In this half-hour presentation with primary care leaders and clinical innovators, we discussed the key challenges for flexing the primary care workforce in this hybrid environment.
Learning Objectives
- Learn more about a model of hybrid primary care that combines in-person and virtual visits…
- Identify best practices for changing workflows and managing staff members remotely in the hybrid primary care model.
- Discuss technological strategies for integrating behavioral health into the flow of hybrid primary care.
Speakers
Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, Principal, Philadelphia, PA
Gail Mayeaux, Principal, Albany, NY
Deb Peartree, Senior Consultant, Albany, NY
Caitlin Thomas-Henkel, Senior Consultant, Philadelphia, PA

Webinar Replay: Tracking State Responses to COVID-19 for Home Health and Home Care Providers: Survey Results and Provider Perspectives
This webinar was held on June 9, 2020.
With most federal COVID-19 funding going to hospitals and nursing homes, states are implementing various Medicaid authorities, legislation, and policies of their own to improve access to long-term services and supports, including home and community-based services. HMA home care experts have tracked these state efforts and presented the results during this informational session. They were joined by home health and home care industry leaders, who offered important perspectives on state actions as well as thoughts on additional steps that will be necessary over the long term.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand state COVID-19 legislation, executive orders, and policy guidance and how it affects home health and home care providers.
- Gain perspective from home health and home care providers on how state COVID-19 efforts are playing out.
- Understand the immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities home health and home care providers are likely to face as they respond to COVID-19.
Speakers
Karen Brodsky, Principal, HMA
Pat Kelleher, Executive Director, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
Linda Mintz, Co-Chair, CareFinders Total Care
Susan Tucker, Principal, HMA

HMA conference on trends in publicly sponsored healthcare
HMA Conference 2020
What’s Next for Medicaid, Medicare, and Publicly Sponsored Healthcare:
How Payers, Providers, and States Are Navigating a Future of Opportunity and Uncertainty
Pre-Conference Workshop: October 25
Conference: October 26-27
Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

Proposed Medicare payment and policy changes for FY 2021: hospice, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities
Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed rules to update the Medicare payment rates and implement other policy changes for three types of Part A providers: hospice, inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs), and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). CMS is publishing these proposed rules in accordance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements to update Medicare payment policies for these providers on an annual basis. This brief summarizes the proposed payment rates and key policy changes for each of these provider types.