Iowa news
MercyOne Clinton nurse hailed as Hospital Hero
The Iowa Hospital Association honored several MercyOne colleagues, including one from MercyOne Clinton, from across the state at its 2023 annual meeting last month. Six MercyOne employees were recognized with “Hospital Heroes” awards, which comprises more than half of the 10 Hospital Heroes named this year. The Iowa Hospital Heroes Awards recognize outstanding hospital employees who go above and beyond the call of duty with no expectation of award or recognition. Among those recognized were Jeff Sander-Welzien, RN, an infection preventionist at MercyOne Clinton Medical Center. (Our Quad Cities)
Medicare Advantage keeps growing. Tiny, rural hospitals say that’s a huge problem
Medicare Advantage insurers are private companies that contract with the federal government to provide Medicare benefits to seniors in place of traditional Medicare. The plans have become dubious payers for many large and small hospitals, which report that the insurers are often slow to pay or don’t pay. The reach of private Medicare Advantage plans varies widely in rural areas, says Keith Mueller, director of the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health. If recent trends continue, enrollment could tip to 50% of rural Medicare beneficiaries in about three years — with some regions like the Upper Midwest already higher than 50%. (National Public Radio)
Mercy Cedar Rapids supervisor Kevin Neef honored as ‘Hospital Hero’ by Iowa Hospital Association
Mercy Cedar Rapids facilities management supervisor Kevin Neef has received one of the Iowa Hospital Association’s Hospital Hero awards for demonstrating exceptional commitment to care and service. Neef was one of only 10 employees of Iowa hospitals to receive the 2023 recognition. The Hospital Heroes program celebrates employees who have acted courageously in a moment’s crisis or have selflessly served their hospitals and communities throughout their careers. Hospital Heroes are recognized during the Iowa Hospital Association’s annual meeting in October. A Mercy employee for 23 years, Neef oversees, organizes, and completes repairs and improvements for the hospital. (KGAN)
National news
Labor remains top challenge for hospitals
Workforce challenges continue to be a pain point for hospitals and health systems nationwide according to Kaufman Hall’s latest National Hospital and quarterly Physician flash reports. The latest reports highlight the need for organizations to be more strategic about how they use and retain providers and support staff. Data and insights on the trends affecting hospitals, health systems and physician groups, as well as steps that can be taken to address them, are included in the flash reports. (Kaufman Hall)
Career ‘lattice’ is the new ladder
It’s estimated that employers will hand out fewer pay raises and promotions in 2024 than they did in 2023. Rather than aiming to move upward in their careers, workers can benefit from taking lateral promotions: moving along a career “lattice” rather than climbing the typical career ladder. Few roles still offer “pure next-step progression,” according to Frances Weir, an associate principal at Korn Ferry. She suggests workers gain valuable experience in other ways and measure success by acquired skills, not raises or promotions. (Korn Ferry)
Feds float No Surprises Act changes
Federal officials have issued proposed changes to the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute resolution process. They said those changes, if finalized, will improve communication between payers providers and certified independent dispute resolution entities, create a more efficient dispute resolution process and change the administrative fee structure to improve accessibility. (Becker’s Hospital Review)