Recent News
Health care sector adds jobs through fall but still faces elevated quit rates: Fitch Ratings
December 15, 2022
Though national data suggest staffing shortages across hospitals and other provider settings lessened through November, workers are still leaving their positions for greener pastures at rates well exceeding those in the previous decade.
Read More!
Emergency Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) training
December 12, 2022
The EMTALA Micro Training intends to provide information on the public’s rights under EMTALA, which protects individuals’ rights to emergency care. The EMTALA Micro Training provides information on an individual’s rights to be screened for an emergency medical condition without delay, to be provided necessary stabilizing treatment, and to be transferred safely when necessary, in addition to other rights protected by EMTALA.
Read More!
CDC head: flu shots look like 'a very good match' for this year's strains
December 12, 2022
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters on Monday that the updated flu shots generated this year seem to be “a very good match” for the most prevalent strains of influenza.
Read More!
Nebraska hospitals say it's getting harder to get insurers to pay them
December 12, 2022
The most recent data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners showed a slight uptick in denials last year, reaching 15% compared with 14.5% in 2020. However, that was still lower than in 2018 and 2019, when denial rates were 16.9% and 15.3%, respectively. But a study from consulting firm Kaufman Hall shows that denials likely have increased this year. The study reported that two-thirds of hospitals reported an increased rate of claims denials in 2022. Ivan Mitchell, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte, agreed, saying insurers' tactics are leading to "a bureaucratic mess in making it more difficult to get paid."
Read More!
Five million in grants available for nursing students
November 23, 2022
Lincoln – Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been granted $5,000,000 to award $2,500 per semester scholarships to Nebraska Nursing Students.
Read More!
4 key predictions for health care in 2023 and how to respond
November 21, 2022
Health care prediction season for 2023 is upon us and thought leaders, futurists and analysts are already reading the tea leaves. Based on some of the forecasts, provider organizations can expect significant evolutionary changes in how to optimize patient engagement, the ever-expanding role that retail clinics will play in care delivery and some upheaval in venture capital funding for health care startups.
Read More!
Nebraska hospitals facing increasing cost pressures
November 21, 2022
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Faith Regional Medical Center spent about $2.5 million to $3 million annually on contract labor for traveling nurses and other personnel working short-term stints. This year, that cost is likely to hit $11.5 million, said Janna Cline, chief financial officer for the Norfolk hospital. That's on top of a 9.5% increase in salaries for regular staff members since January 2021, Cline said, as well as a 5% increase in utilities costs and various other cost increases.
Read More!
Listening session on protecting the safety of patients and health care workers
November 7, 2022
Join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including leaders from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration, on November 14 as they recommit to the advancement of patient and healthcare worker safety.
Read More!
AHA - Addressing commercial health plan challenges to ensure fair coverage for patients and providers
November 7, 2022
Hospitals and health systems are committed to ensuring timely patient access to medically necessary health care services. Comprehensive health care coverage is a critical tool to help individuals and patients access and finance their care. This is why hospitals and health systems have long advocated for a robust system for universal coverage rooted in our long-standing public-private model that relies on a strong commercial health insurance market alongside the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Read More!
HHS releases video on documenting recognized HIPAA security practices
November 7, 2022
OCR has designed this video presentation for HIPAA regulated entities on “recognized security practices,” as set forth in the HITECH Act. The video is intended to educate HIPAA regulated entities on the categories of recognized security practices and how entities may demonstrate implementation.
Read More!WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING
"Our experience with Lutz has always been positive, professional, and timely. The consulting advice has been beneficial to our organization".
The quality of people in the IT world that would just work as your employee is limited in these rural areas. Five Nines fills that gap for us. I really feel like this collaboration is a real partnership. This is long term, we look at the big picture rather than those little pieces.
UNANIMOUS understands strategy. When it was time to address our outdated mission and vision we wanted a firm to facilitate our process for updating it. They understood the connection between branding and strategy. Their facilitation included robust imput from senior leaders as well as community leaders, staff and patients. It felt like they understood exactly what we were needing and how to help us get it done.
Bryan Health Connect's partnership with NHA Services Preferred Business Partner Bellevue University is a great addition to the services offered to our membership. The tuition assistance, quality programs and flexible learning options benefit our members who want to pursue a graduate degree for career advancement and expertise, and their family members who may be pursuing undergraduate degrees to begin their career path.
“I made my Choice Gas selection today and we got the best pricing with ACE. Mandy was helpful, efficient and professional. Plus, Bassett is a member community and used ACE revenue returns for a community swimming pool slide and more.”