IHA submits comments about 340B dispute resolution
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration issued a new proposed rule in late November, revising the 2020 final rule that established the 340B administrative dispute-resolution process. HHS said the proposed rule aligns with the statutory requirements for the dispute-resolution process put in place by the Affordable Care Act.

IHA submitted comments to HRSA about two key areas of the proposed rule:

• Using the adminstrative dispute-resolution process as a forum to address drug manufacturer overcharges. IHA urged HRSA to explicitly state in the final rule that the dispute resolution process is available for affected 340B hospitals to seek compensation from overcharges.
• Creating a timeline for administrative dispute-resolution panel decisions. IHA proposed administrative-dispute resolution panels decide cases in six month and no later than one year after a claim is submitted.

IHERF scholarship applications due Feb. 28
It’s not too late to apply for IHA’s 2023 Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation’s Health Care Careers Scholarship. IHERF is awarding 60 postsecondary health care scholarships of up to $7,000 ($3,500 per year for up to two years) and $1,000 to students enrolling in emergency medical technology/technician certification programs.

New to the 2023 program are scholarships for high school students. The foundation is awarding 15 $2,000 scholarships to high school students whose academic performance indicates college success and are interesting in entering a health care area of study.

The IHERF scholarship program focuses on students pursuing high-demand health care positions. In exchange, postsecondary scholarship recipients must work one year in an Iowa hospital for each year of their scholarship award. The $1,000 award recipients must work one year with a hospital-based or hospital-contracted emergency medical service. High school scholarship recipients are not required to work for an Iowa hospital after graduation.

Postsecondary applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program and be within three years of completing their professional education. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Feb. 28.

IHA does not discriminate against applicants because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, military status or other characteristics protected by the law. Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit www.IHERF.org.

CMS releases additional guidance for REH conversion
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released new guidance and FAQs outlining the requirements and process for eligible rural and critical access hospitals interested in converting to a rural emergency hospital. The guidance includes:

• An appendix with survey procedures.
• Clarifcation about the annual 24-hour average per-patient length of stay. The time calculation begins at registration, check-in or triage and ends with discharge.
• Conditions-of-participation regulatory text.

The new provider type was created to address growing concern about closures of rural hospitals. Rural and critical access hospitals can forgo an initial survey by attesting they meet CMS regulations. CMS will release additional information and interpretative guidelines.

IHA also is creating resources about the new hospital designation, including hosting a webinar about the new hospital designation. Participants in the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation webinar will:

• Compare the rural emergency hospital designation to other rural hospital programs.
• Discuss federal and state updates.
• Review the designation requirements and regulations.

The webinar is scheduled from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 4.

Nurse manager workshop going virtual
Building on the success of the 2021 and 2022 trainings, IHA and the Iowa Organization for Nursing Leadership are converting the Nurse Manager Leadership Workshop to a fully virtual offering, making it more accessible for participants. New or aspiring nurse managers are encouraged to register now to build their knowledge of:

• Fiscal management.
• Human resources.
• Performance improvement.
• Personal and professional accountability.
• Planning.

Participants also will identify their roles in the future of nursing. The workshop is comprised of three sessions:

• Wednesday, Feb. 15.
• Thursday, March 23.
• Tuesday, April 25.