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June 30, 2016

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AHCCCS Issues RFI on DSRIP Program
Debbie JohnstonSenior Vice President of Policy Development

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Administration has issued a Request for Information  for its proposed Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program. The agency notes it is in the information gathering stage and no decisions have yet been made concerning its intent to issue a formal Request for Proposal. A separate Question and Answer Form for interested vendors has also been posted on the AHCCCS website. The deadline for responses is July 7, 2016.

AzHHA Comments on Proposed MACRA Rule
Debbie Johnston, Senior Vice President of Policy Development

This week the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule implementing the Physician Quality Payment Program mandated by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). While AzHHA expressed appreciation for several of the flexibilities built into the proposal, we also noted a number of concerns. Chief among these are:

  • The proposed financial risk standard requires participating entities to accept significant downside risk to qualify as an advanced alternative payment model (APM), which will likely deter participation and hinder innovation.
  • New reporting requirements under the Advancing Care Information category of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) are complex, and eligible clinicians will need more time to come into compliance than is allowed under the proposed rule.
  • The program should incorporate the robust use of risk adjustment in order not to penalize providers who care for complex patients.

Hospital Cybersecurity Resources
Shayna Diamond, Director of Community Affairs

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) highlights “best and promising” hospital cybersecurity practices in its latest TRACIE newsletter and webinar on the issue. Specifically on the issue of ransomware, the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Health and Human Services have issued technical guidance summarizing existing “best practices” to prevent and respond to ransomware incidents. Additional cybersecurity resources can be found here.  

Point of Pride 

This week we are highlighting Kevin Stockton, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Medical Center (NMC) since 201, has been promoted to Market CEO Northwest Healthcare and will continue to serve as CEO of NMC.

“It’s been my honor to support the physicians, nurses and other caregivers at Northwest Medical Center. I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know the team at Oro Valley Hospital better and work together to expand services for the greater Tucson community,” Stockton said.

A native of Tucson, Stockton holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arizona. He also currently serves on the AzHHA Board of Directors. Congrats on the promotion, Kevin!