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MiraMed Global Services Podcast

82 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -

Healthcare administration is constantly changing. We explore the most relevant topics with important and helpful tips for anyone managing the business processes of a medical facility.

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Episodes

The 2022 OPPS Rule: What Hospitals Need to Know

November 10, 2021 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.6 MB

Today's podcast takes a closer look at the just released 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and ASC Payment System Final Rule (FR). Take a listen! 

Assessing the Cost of Healthcare: AHA Issues Report

November 09, 2021 16:00 - 6 minutes - 4.55 MB

​There's no doubt about it: Nicholas Cage is one of America's finest actors. In fact, he is so good at his craft that he has been among Hollywood's highest-paid personalities, amassing at one point $150 million in acting fees. That's quite a chunk of change. However, the Academy Award winner lost much of his fortune due to questionable spending habits. It wasn't like his National Treasure was Gone in Sixty Seconds, but over a period of time he eventually found himself broke and in trouble wi...

Winners and Losers: Reviewing CARES Fund Distribution

October 27, 2021 19:00 - 6 minutes - 4.75 MB

Breakdown of how the CARES Act funds were distributed to hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Surprise Billing Final Rule: Reactions and Implications

October 13, 2021 18:00 - 6 minutes - 4.61 MB

The No Surprise Act Final Rule initiated some "surprised" reactions from various healthcare organizations. Today's podcast takes a closer look.

Reassessing the No Surprises Act: Final Rule Released and Analyzed

October 07, 2021 15:00 - 7 minutes - 2.71 MB

This episode breaks down the No Surprises Act final rule (FR) which further defines provisions of the previously passed bill which aims to protect beneficiaries from unexpectedly high medical bills. This FR outlines a new independent dispute resolution process, good faith estimate requirements and patient/provider dispute resolution process for uninsured individuals.  Take a listen! 

New Help for Hospitals? The AHA Weighs In

September 14, 2021 13:00 - 7 minutes - 3.34 MB

Senators and U.S. representatives cannot come up with everything on their own. They have a staff and a team of legal experts who help craft and review legislation. But that's not all they have. They depend, in large measure, on advice and counsel coming from those who are experts in a particular field. In other words, they give ear to lobbyists, often allowing such individuals to help write provisions that become law. It is with this dynamic in mind, that we provide you with today's article.

2022 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule: Part 2

September 09, 2021 20:00 - 8 minutes - 6.17 MB

Last week, we published an alert that outlined some of the key provisions of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (PR) for 2022 that may affect hospitals. As promised in that alert, this week's article will provide additional details arising from the 2022 PR.

2022 Proposed Medicare Fee Schedule: How Hospitals Could Be Affected

September 09, 2021 20:00 - 9 minutes - 4.22 MB

It's that time of year again. Last week, the government released the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (PR), and there are some interesting changes that may be in store for hospitals. The following treatment is based on what we've gleaned from summaries of the PR released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA).

No Surprise Act Interim Final Rule: Some Questions Get Answered

July 09, 2021 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.28 MB

On July 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury released an interim final rule (IFR) that acted to flesh out some of the provisions of the No Surprises Act (NSA), scheduled to go into effect next year.   

In the Eye of the Storm: Will the Current Recovery Last?

June 30, 2021 19:00 - 8 minutes - 5.94 MB

Right now, the American hospital industry seems to be recovering nicely from a devastating year of elective surgery cancelations, overworked staff, major shifts in care parameters, and a dip in case-related revenue. 

Update on COVID Relief Requirements: Extension of Usage and Reporting Deadlines

June 25, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 5.12 MB

There’s recently been a change of plans by the federal government that will positively affect many of America’s hospitals.

The Alzheimer’s Apocalypse? Future Occupants of America’s Hospitals

June 18, 2021 13:00 - 8 minutes - 6.18 MB

Something strange happened in Cleveland late last month.  Joe Biden was giving a speech on the economy when he made the following statement: “You know, if we don’t do something about Alzheimer’s in America, every single solitary hospital bed that exists in America—as the nurses can tell you—every single one will be occupied in the next 15 years with an Alzheimer’s patient—every one.” 

In the Event of an Emergency: A Growing Pushback over ER Services

June 10, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 3.62 MB

We've all witnessed occasions where someone who's had a tumble, but looks to be unharmed, is nevertheless encouraged to go to the emergency room to have a once-over—just to be sure. Now, however, you'd have to stop and give that some additional thought, because we are seeing increasing signs that payers are beginning to redefine what they deem to be reasonable and payable emergency department (ED) services.

Trouble in Paradise: When Staff Strife Gets Serious

June 08, 2021 15:00 - 7 minutes - 3.54 MB

It is sad when relations between fellow humans devolve into strife, leading to hard feelings and demoralization.  While violence rarely erupts in today’s business world, there are still those occasions when owner and employee are at odds.  Sometimes, the employee resentment—whether reasonable or not—can transform into serious action.   In recent days, we have seen such action on the part of employees bubble over in American hospitals.  Let’s look at two notable examples.

AHA v HHS A Clash of Two Heavyweights

May 27, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 4.31 MB

The United States Supreme Court may soon serve as the arena for a battle between a couple of organizational heavyweights, with one substantially outweighing the other.   In one corner is the American Hospital Association (AHA).  While strong and influential, it cannot compare to the unmatched might of the federal government, as represented in this legal contest by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) and its new secretary, Xavier Becerra 

The 2022 IPPS Proposed Rule: Part 3

May 21, 2021 18:00 - 8 minutes - 3.81 MB

Today's article will conclude our look at the massive 2022 IPPS Proposed Rule (PR). So far, we've summarized how the PR treats topics such as payment rates, quality measures, negotiated payment disclosure, residency programs and efforts to reduce hospital readmissions. Based on a summary of the PR released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we will now provide some of the remaining highlights of the government's proposed changes impacting hospitals in FY 2022.

Summary of 2022 IPPS Proposed Rule: Part Two

May 19, 2021 13:00 - 8 minutes - 4.11 MB

Today’s article is a continuation of last week’s treatment of Medicare’s 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (PR), released in late April.  As we pointed out previously, the PR contains over 1,900 pages of proposals.  Consequently, we have found it necessary to break down the proposed changes among multiple alerts so that we might provide as many relevant highlights as possible to our readers.  With that said, the following will act to summarize more details in the PR—bey...

2022 IPPS Proposed Rule: Possible Changes for Hospitals

May 06, 2021 19:00 - 8 minutes - 6.02 MB

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Rates Proposed Rule, along with a fact sheet that acts to summarize the critical parts of the proposals. The following will highlight some of the more critical components of the Proposed Rule (PR). As the PR is over 1,900 pages long, our summary will be provided in a multi-part series of alerts.

No Place Like Home: Analyzing the Hospital at Home Model

April 29, 2021 19:00 - 8 minutes - 4 MB

The HAH model today is seen as beneficial for older patients and those with chronic diseases, such as asthma, congestive heart failure and COPD.  It has the added benefit of alleviating space in hospitals that have otherwise reached capacity.  As the American population continues to age, this model of care will be seen as an increasingly appealing option for both facilities and patients.

An Uncertain Sound: Contradictory Signals in the Battle Against COVID

April 27, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 4.33 MB

In the midst of a declared public health emergency (PHE), it is more important than ever to receive direction from our leaders that is both consistent and supportable.  Vacillation and mixed messages are not a good look.  The question is: are recent announcements concerning the ongoing COVID event creating confusion among the general population and even healthcare workers?

COVID in 2021: Current Impact and Future Concerns

April 21, 2021 16:00 - 10 minutes - 4.63 MB

Despite the short-term nature of pandemics, it is clear that we are not out of the woods just yet as it concerns COVID.  The virus that began in 2019 is still a factor in certain hot zones, including at least 5 U.S. states.  Michigan, for example, is currently experiencing the biggest surge in cases—despite its history of mask mandates and rigid lockdowns.  This raises the question of how American hospitals, as a group, are handling the 2021 version of COVID.  One government agency decided t...

Another Satisfied Customer: The Pursuit of Perfection in Patient Care

April 16, 2021 14:00 - 8 minutes - 4.02 MB

If perfection is the standard, then it is clear that we often come up short, depending on the task. However, it is the push toward that goal that puts us on the path of improvement, constant improvement. This is the real message of Carter's retrospective account: to simply get better. That is something we can all achieve. For those who work in our nation's hospitals, the goal should be perfection in patient care, which means working every day to get as close to that goal as possible. So, wh...

The News to Know: Three Big Headlines for Hospitals

April 07, 2021 20:00 - 7 minutes - 3.4 MB

In this age of 24-hour news, it's hard to wade through all the chatter to see what really matters; so, we've done the wading for you. In today's article, we provide you with three recent news stories that are particularly applicable to hospitals and those that run them.

Update to IPPS: Changes Beginning in April

March 29, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 4.28 MB

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Medicare Learning Network (MLN) article addressing changes to the IPPS rules that will take effect April 5 of this year.

The Top Ten: Biggest Patient Safety Concerns

March 18, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 2.22 MB

The ECRI’s list of patient safety concerns for 2021—listed in order of ranking— with our commentary following each.

Another COVID Relief Bill Nears Passage: What Will It Mean for Hospitals?

March 15, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 4.24 MB

PROVISIONS OF THE BILL The following reflects a summary of some of the most pertinent components of the bill, from a hospital perspective.  The summary is based in-part on a document published by the American Hospital Association (AHA).

Somebody’s Watching: Government Eyes Hospital Overbilling

March 04, 2021 18:00 - 8 minutes - 3.85 MB

In the event you, as a hospital administrator, have been getting that nagging feeling of late that someone is watching from afar, you are not delusional or on the brink of a nervous breakdown.  In fact, your instincts have served you well; for, the federal government has just admitted that it has been quietly checking up on hospital billing practices, and it doesn’t like what it sees.  

A Year of COVID: Where We Are and What We’ve Learned

February 26, 2021 18:00 - 6 minutes - 3.17 MB

It’s been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 case was treated in an American hospital.  Since that time, we have witnessed one of the most remarkable societal transformations to occur in peace time.  

Signs of Life: Hopeful Indications for Hospitals

February 19, 2021 14:00 - 6 minutes - 4.61 MB

After a year of languishing in the extreme conditions caused by COVID, hospitals are showing new life and a renewed hope for a positive future. The once suppressed revenues and restrained budgets are now loosening up, and some hospitals are poised to hit the ground running—and not just for the long term. The short term is in play as well.

Securing the Castle: Protecting Hospitals in the Digital Age

February 12, 2021 20:00 - 8 minutes - 3.75 MB

High towers, thick stones and surrounding water traps were the cutting-edge means of protecting a building back in the Middle Ages.  Today, however, the methods of attack are ingeniously sophisticated, and we must erect new defenses to match the threat.  That is especially true when it comes to large institutions with lots to lose, like hospitals.

Temporary Survey Rules for Hospitals

February 05, 2021 19:00 - 6 minutes - 3.12 MB

On January 20, CMS directed its surveyor agents to significantly relax their scope of operations within the hospital setting for 30 days from the issuance of the directive.  Moreover, this temporary guidance is subject to possible renewal involving additional 30-day periods.  The move was sparked, in part, by a request from the American Hospital Association (AHA) to eliminate or severely restrict surveying activities during the pandemic.  In response, CMS has announced that, during this init...

Reducing Waste in the Hospital Setting

February 02, 2021 16:00 - 9 minutes - 4.32 MB

Numerous studies have demonstrated that about one quarter of healthcare spending amounts to waste.  This is an astounding figure.  Imagine how a hospital’s financial health could be bettered by simply trimming this fat. 

Update on Provider Relief Fund: Reporting Period Delayed

January 25, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 3.24 MB

By way of background, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had previously published a set of reporting instructions that would apply to those receiving PRF funds in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate.  The Department had originally planned on opening a reporting portal by January 15, 2021, and had set February 15, 2021 as the first deadline for submissions.  However, with the passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in December, an a...

Clarity or Chaos: HHS Finalizes Rule to Review Regulations

January 21, 2021 19:00 - 8 minutes - 4.04 MB

On Friday, January 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule, to be known as the Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely (SUNSET) rule. Essentially, the rule builds on the efforts of previous administrations—going all the way back to the Carter presidency—to review and improve the federal regulation process. The broad-stroke take on this latest government effort is that there will be a mandated decadal review of certain health-related regula...

How to Tell When Telehealth is Warranted

January 08, 2021 19:00 - 10 minutes - 4.83 MB

With the recent promotion and extension of virtual medicine, including telehealth services, many hospital workers are wondering: when is it appropriate to utilize telehealth in this determination process? Is there a checklist that makes the decision to go virtual more supportable?

A Holiday Package for Hospitals: Year-End Legislation Addresses Healthcare

December 30, 2020 19:00 - 7 minutes - 5.02 MB

While millions of Americans have been stuffing wrapping paper and ribbons in the trash or heading to the store to return or exchange unwanted gifts, the federal government has delivered one more present to the American healthcare industry. This package comes in the form of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)—otherwise known as the COVID-19 relief bill—passed by Congress on December 21 and signed into law by President Trump on December 27. It is a nearly 5,600-page document that covers ...

2021 OPPS Final Rule for Hospitals: Highlights for The Coming Year

December 17, 2020 19:00 - 10 minutes - 7.55 MB

As we head toward the end of another year, there are the obligatory “year in review” offerings provided via television, print media and websites.  Some might argue that there are years we’d just as soon forget—2020 perhaps being one of them.  However, end-of-the-year stories aren’t always about the year that was, but about the year ahead.  That is especially true when it comes to the rash of releases by the federal government concerning changes for the healthcare industry slated for the new ...

Safety First: Rules and Tools for Keeping Patients Safe

December 10, 2020 16:00 - 9 minutes - 6.78 MB

Hospital patients should be able to rely on the expertise of their nurses and clinical staff as they undergo treatment and recuperation, rather than having to worry if they are putting themselves in harm's way. A 2016 report appearing in Johns Hopkins Medicine found that over 250,000 deaths occur in the U.S. due to medical error in the hospital setting. When comparing that figure with total U.S. deaths, hospital-based medical errors account for 9.5 percent of all deaths in this country, rank...

Caring Outside the Box: New Surge Options for Hospitals

December 02, 2020 19:00 - 8 minutes - 5.56 MB

Since we are in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19, it may be a good time to revisit some of these government allowances as they pertain to the issue of site of service.  In November, CMS provided an updated document outlining place of service options that are available to hospitals during the public health emergency (PHE).  The agency, which falls under the jurisdiction of HHS, explained that these temporary provisions are meant to fulfill its “Hospitals Without Walls” initiative—an eff...

The Hospital Workforce Blues: Assessing and Addressing the COVID Staffing Crisis

November 20, 2020 21:00 - 9 minutes - 4.39 MB

Hospitals are in trouble. There is no getting around it. At least as it pertains to those facilities in and around the COVID hotspots, staffing is becoming an increasingly problematic component of the overall care mission. 

The State of Innovation: New Hospital Survey Reveals Much

November 13, 2020 20:00 - 9 minutes - 4.57 MB

Today, the newspaper biz is on life support as more and more citizens are reaching for their tablets or other electronic devices to get the latest infusion of facts.  But despite the change in delivery mechanisms, people are still anxious to get the lowdown on what’s happening in their local and wider world.  News still counts, and there are few things that satiate the news consumer like the results of a survey.  Today’s article focuses on a survey that hospital leaders around the country sh...

A Clear and Present Danger: Imminent Cyberattacks Against Hospitals

November 09, 2020 21:00 - 8 minutes - 6.12 MB

The federal government issued a warning concerning a credible and imminent threat to our national healthcare security.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted an urgent conference call with leaders of the healthcare industry on Oct 28, informing them that the government has received reliable information that international hackers—perhaps with ties to Russia—are planning to breach the...

COVID Round Two: Status and Strategies

November 02, 2020 20:00 - 9 minutes - 4.3 MB

Yes, round one of the pandemic was devastating in many ways to the nation’s health, economy and way of life.  The surge in the late spring was debilitating to be sure, but hospitals managed to find ways to battle through the hardships.  Now that the dreaded second round looks to be a reality in large sectors of the country, hospital officials and clinicians are being called on once more to fight the good fight in spite of all difficulties.  But how?

Electronic Enhancements: Harnessing the Power of Technology

October 22, 2020 14:00 - 9 minutes - 4.23 MB

New ways of getting the job done are always just around the corner. The trick is translating these technologies into a mechanism for business improvement. In today's article, we will explore ways in which hospitals are using cutting edge strategies to improve their clinical effectiveness, profitability and presence in the community. So, buckle in, as we zoom "back to the future."

Medicine and Mergers: A Modern Portrait of Healthcare Consolidation

October 20, 2020 16:00 - 7 minutes - 3.59 MB

Mergers and acquisitions (MAs) appear to be part of the normal evolution of hospitals and health systems in America; but, like the hope of marriage, does it truly lead to greater happiness?

Help on the Way: Latest Round of CARES Act Payouts

October 14, 2020 14:00 - 7 minutes - 3.49 MB

On October 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a third phase of relief funds into the healthcare sector. As you'll recall, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized billions of dollars to support struggling health providers and facilities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that swept the nation. Of the $175 billion authorized by the CARES Act, about $107 billion had been released in the first two phases. This third phase will pump...

Under Duress: CMS Prepares to Hit Hospitals

October 07, 2020 18:00 - 6 minutes - 3.14 MB

National Public Radio (NPR) is reporting that it has come into possession of “internal documents” drafted by individuals at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which indicate that the agency “is preparing to crack down aggressively on hospitals.”  The impending action will specifically be against those facilities who failed to report “complete COVID-19 data daily into a federal data system,” as mandated earlier this summer by the Trump administration.

An Uncertain Fall: What Hospitals Should Expect

October 06, 2020 19:00 - 7 minutes - 3.36 MB

Now that fall has officially arrived, many in the healthcare industry are bracing for what could be a new wave of the coronavirus within our borders. Many of our students are back at school, and some fear this may trigger a new spike in COVID cases throughout the country. 

An Uncertain Fall: What Hospitals Should Expect

October 06, 2020 19:00 - 7 minutes - 3.36 MB

Now that fall has officially arrived, many in the healthcare industry are bracing for what could be a new wave of the coronavirus within our borders. Many of our students are back at school, and some fear this may trigger a new spike in COVID cases throughout the country. 

The Future of Healthcare: Predictions by EMR Industry Leader

September 21, 2020 15:00 - 5 minutes - 2.33 MB

As reported this past Monday by Becker's Health IT, the CEO of EPIC, Judy Faulkner, provided five predictions concerning healthcare in America in a recent interview with Business Insider. As many of our readers are aware, Epic is one of the giants of the electronic medical record (EMR) industry. Here is a snapshot of Ms. Faulkner's prognostications: