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October 6, 2017

President's Perspective – CHIP Program Continues to Receive Bipartisan Support
Reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program is a high priority for those who work to care for Kansas children. 
 

Register Now for the Rural Health Symposium – Nov. 16 and 17
Plan to participate in the Rural Health Symposium, Nov. 16 and 17, in Salina. 
 

QHi Training – Oct. 11
QHi is a voluntary, user-driven program to support initiatives designed to improve the quality of care and financial viability of rural hospitals and clinics. 
 

Public Calls Scheduled for KanCare Renewal – Oct. 17
KDHE is providing an update on the development of the Request for Proposals for the 2019 KanCare Managed Care Organization's contract. 
 

KHA Discharge Data Submission Training – Oct. 19
Current, reliable data for strategic and financial planning is critical to hospital leadership. 
 

Don't Miss KHA District Meetings
Topics for this year's KHA Fall District Meetings include: the opioid epidemic; state and federal advocacy updates; KHA strategic plan and budget; and KHA, KHSC and APS updates. 
 

CMS Issues Revised S-10 Reporting Instructions
CMS issued new and revised instructions for charity care and bad debt data reported by hospitals on worksheet S-10 of the Medicare Cost Report. 
 

KHA Analytic Advantage® Update and Training – Oct. 25
Analytic Advantage PLUS, the online reporting tool accessed from Analytic Advantage is where your KHA hospital-level data resides. 
 

2017 KHA Mid-Year Compensation Report
The 2017 KHA mid-year compensation results are now available. 
 

Hospital Collaboration on Employee Engagement and Recognition
KHA is seeking hospital best practices in employee engagement and employee recognition. 
 

U.S. House Circulates "Dear Colleague" Letter on Physician Supervision
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) are spearheading a "Dear Colleague" letter asking CMS to make its enforcement moratorium on direct supervision permanent. 
 

Health Care Stabilization Program Update
This week, staff from the Kansas HealthCare Stabilization Fund presented their annual update to the Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee. 
 

Important News for Hospitals and CAHs Regarding the Meaningful Use Attestation System – 2018
The 2017 meaningful use submission process is migrating from the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Registration and Attestation System to the QualityNet Secure Portal. 
 

Entries Deadline Approaching for the 12th Annual Rural Kansas Photography Contest
Categories have been announced, and the deadline to enter is approaching, for the 12th Annual Rural Kansas Photography Contest. 
 

Federal Focus
This section includes CMS updates, guidance and announcements. This week's topics include: CHIP Bills, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, FY 2018 SNF PPS Rates, APM Participant Determination, MLN Connects Provider eNews, eCQM Specifications Addendum, Hospital Compare Preview Reports, Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model, FY 2018 IPPS Rates, Facility-Specific OP-32 Reports, Second Quarter 2017 Data Submission Deadlines, 2018 MA Benefit and Premium Information, Nurse Faculty Loan Program, HQR Monthly News Blast, CMS Education Session, and 340B Pricing and Monetary Penalties Rule.