March 2024

Change Healthcare Updates
On Feb. 21, healthcare technology giant Change Healthcare was the victim of the most significant and consequential cyberattack on the U.S. health care system in history. Change Healthcare processes 15 billion health care transactions annually — including claims transmittals and payment — greatly impacting cash flow into practices and hospitals. Since this attack, billions of dollars have stopped flowing to providers, thereby threatening the financial viability of hospitals, health systems, and provider offices.

Last week we surveyed independent practice managers to better understand the impact to regional provider offices. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond! The results indicated practices within our region have been impacted to varying degrees.  

For those impacted, we wanted to share the following updates and resources.

• Change Healthcare Status Update: According to United Health Group’s website dedicated to this incident, a phased reconnection and testing of their provider electronic claims system is planned to occur this week. For details, read Change Healthcare's March 18 news release.

• CMS Providing Advance Payments to Impacted Providers: CMS has released a fact sheet and FAQs on eligibility and how to apply for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) programs, which provide accelerated/ advance payments to those who are experiencing delays in Medicare payments due to the Change Healthcare incident. These payments will only be available for a limited time.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Munson’s Physician Liaisons. We are here to support you!

We continue to closely monitor this situation. Look for continued updates until this ongoing national issue has been resolved.

RESOURCES

Direct Trust Addresses

A reminder Munson shares a listing of Direct Trust emails on our website, which is updated on the first of every month.

To help offices know when a new provider has a Direct Trust email, we've added the graphic to the Provider Moves listing when appropriate — see below. If you roll over the graphic, you'll see the provider's email.

Look for more Direct Trust news in the April Practice Pro!

Provider Moves

Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for February including new providers, location changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

For a complete directory of Munson-credentialed providers, go to Find A Doctor.

Please join us in welcoming the following new Munson-employed providers:

• Noel DeShano, NP | Munson Healthcare Manistee Primary Care
• Alexis Kilbourn, PA | Kalkaska Medical Associates Mancelona
• Jennifer Leino, MD | Kalkaska Medical Associates Mancelona
• Jacob Manteuffel, MD | Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Emergency Room
• Abby Zak, PA | Munson Medical Center APP Pulmonary Intensivists
  
  

SERVICES

Witham Family Donates $2.5 Million to Comprehensive Stroke Center

Munson Medical Center became home to The Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center on Monday in honor of a generous $2.5-million donation from Richard “Dick” Witham, his wife Marilyn, their children Kurt and Chris, and Chris’s wife Stephanie. To learn more, read the news release.

Pictured from left to right: The Witham Family with Dick Witham next to our team at right, Dr. Gary Rajah, Dr. David Rosenbaum, MHC President and CEO Ed Ness and MHC Chief Development Officer Debra Henderson.

Delays Reported: Grandview Parkway Reconstruction in Traverse City 

Please let your patients who may be traveling to Traverse City from across the region know to anticipate delays and plan accordingly as reconstruction of Grandview Parkway continues now through this fall.

• With work currently taking place between Garfield Avenue and Front Street, this will have a major disruptive effect on traffic throughout downtown Traverse City and on surrounding major thoroughfares like South Airport Road and Eighth Street.

• The impact will most likely be felt from East Region patients traveling to Foster Family Community Health Center, Munson Medical Center, and all other nearby facilities and clinics.

To help patients familiarize themselves with the detours and consider alternate routes further away from the construction area, please share the following resources:

• Grandview Parkway Project | Maps and Detour Routes
• Print-and-post Grandview Parkway Project flyer

Detours and traffic patterns will be changing throughout this project that is estimated to be complete in November 2024, with Phase 2 set to begin in early July. Any major traffic project is likely to challenge our shared value of Positivity, so your help in preparing patients for possible delays is appreciated! 

CLINICAL UPDATE

Technology Solutions — How to Answer Patient Questions

As we continue to engage in technology solutions to support patient care, some patients might have questions regarding the use of their data. For clarity, Munson Healthcare partners with technology solutions to help provide care and create a great experience for our patients. All of the technology solutions are rigorously reviewed by our IT Security team and we enter contractual agreements to ensure they are fully HIPAA-compliant and secure.

When signing the Consent for Treatment agreement, patients agree to share their information with Munson and our technology partners to ensure we can provide appropriate care.

For more information, contact Chelsea Szafranski or Loretta Wingard. 

New Study Supports Effectiveness of RSV Immunization for Infants

• New CDC data show nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was highly effective in protecting infants from RSV-associated hospitalizations. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S. For details, read the CDC news release.

• The CDC recommends — which this study supports — giving the infant nirsevimab in child's 1^st year if the mother did not receive the maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy, except for infants where <14 days have elapsed between vaccination and birth. Another dose can be given during the child's 2nd RSV season for some high-risk patients.

• RSV prevention products remain our single most important tool to protect infants from RSV. For additional guidance on prescribing nirsevimab, read AAP's Nirsevimab FAQs.

Remain Vigilant: Measles

• In response to the confirmed measles cases in S.E. Michigan, Grand Traverse County Health Department has developed a checklist to guide providers through preventing measles transmission and preparing your facility, including:
• Signs and Symptoms
• Reception, Waiting Room, and Office Precautions
• Patient Isolation
• Staff Immunity
• Laboratory Testing Referrals
• Reporting Suspect Measles Cases

For GTCHD's Measles Checklist, click here.

• For additional provider guidance, read:
  • CDC Measles Alert 03.18.24
  • Michigan Health Network Alert: Measles Cases 03.03.24
  • MDHHS Measles Investigation Guidelines
    
    

FDA Alert: Some Cinnamon Products May Contain Elevated Levels of Lead

• The FDA has released an alert in response to concerns about elevated lead levels in cinnamon following the recent incident associated with certain cinnamon applesauce pouches resulting in lead poisoning in young children.

• Individuals should stop using and discard ground cinnamon products listed in the FDA alert.

• CDC Recommendations for Health Care Providers
  
  • Raise awareness among parents about these ground cinnamon products. 
  • Encourage parents to immediately stop using and throw them away. 
  • Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.
    
    

LabMed Report | Body Fluid Lower Reportable Cell Count Ranges

• Read an important change in Body Fluid Lower Reportable Cell Count Ranges at Munson Medical Center.

• An archive of LabMed Reports is available here.
  
  

N. MI Flu Activity Report | Week of 03.10.24

Flu Testing: Recommended

• National: Moving into low to moderate activity overall with some pockets of high activity.
• Michigan: High activity.
• Regional: High activity overall.
  • Total Tested = 797
  • Total Positive = 191 (24%)
  • Inpatients = 14

 LEADERSHIP UPDATES

Joe Hurshe, FACHE, has been selected as the new president of Munson Medical Center in Traverse City effective April 1.

Hurshe brings 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry including 13 with Ascension Health, the 2^nd largest non-profit, Catholic health system in the country. Most recently he served as Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Michigan, whose 16 hospitals and 24,000 employees represents the health system’s largest operation across 19 states and Washington D.C.

MMC Chief Medical Officer Announcement

After 35 years of providing exceptional patient care and leadership at Munson Healthcare, Walt Noble, MD, has announced his well-deserved retirement on August 1, 2024. In preparation for Dr. Noble’s departure, we are pleased to announce Thomas Schermerhorn, MD, MHCDS, FAANS, as the next Chief Medical Officer of Munson Medical Center.

 EDUCATION

Virtual MI Licensure Sessions Now Available as On-Demand CME
The following Virtual MI Licensure CME Sessions presentations have been reaccredited for on-demand CME. These activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

• The Pathophysiology of Pain: Evidence Based Guidelines for Pain Management | Justine Pearl, MD
• Embedding Ethical Frameworks into Clinical Practice | Stephanie Van Slyke, MS, RN
• Pain Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional | Philip Baty, MD
• Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain and Painful Diabetic Neuropathy | Justine Pearl, MD
• Implicit Bias: Bringing Hidden Bias to Light - Parts 1 and 2 | Toni Leaf-Odette, BSN, RN; Donna Norkoli, BS; Mary Rowley, BA

MHC’s On-Demand courses can be viewed via:

• Computer browser: Visit our CME portal and click on the On-Demand tab. Look for: 2024 MHC MI Licensure Sessions.

• Mobile app: Once logged into your account in the eeds™ app:
  • select “Earn credits with Enduring Materials”
  • select Munson Healthcare
  • Select 2024 MHC MI Licensure Sessions
    
    

MDHHS: Bereavement Training for Maternal and Child Health Professionals
This on-demand online course is specifically tailored for maternal and child health professionals, providing essential knowledge and skills to navigate the challenging landscape of supporting individuals and families coping with loss. By the end of this training, learners will be able to identify the spectrum of responses and reactions to grief and feel comfortable connecting with families and peers, who have experienced loss, in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed manner. Additionally, learners will be familiar with self-care strategies, how to support coworkers, and identify resources available.​

For directions on how to access the training, click here.

BCBS: Managing challenging patient interactions & Improving health outcomes for older adults
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is hosting webinars focused on communicating with patients in the office setting to provide a great patient experience.

In March, BCBSM will present a virtual session designed to help staff manage difficult interactions with patients.

• March 26, 12 – 1 pm | Managing Challenging Patient Interactions: This webinar provides strategies for health care professionals to manage upset or frustrated patients or caregivers in office settings. It covers tactics to prevent challenging situations, tips to stay calm, and de-escalation strategies. Also available as an in-office training session.

In April, join BCBSM for a 3-part webinar series created to help providers and clinical staff navigate the complexities of discussing potentially sensitive issues with older patients and strategies to help foster a more open dialog.

Improving Health Outcomes for Older Adults:

• April 16, 12 pm – 12:45 pm | Part 1: Focused on ensuring effective care through conversations with patients about urinary incontinence, physical activity, and fall risk, along with a brief background on the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS).
• April 18, 12 pm – 12:45 pm | Part 2: Participants will learn strategies to discuss mental health and physical health with older adults. The session will also discuss using patient-centered planning to improve or maintain patients’ health.
• April 23, 12 pm – 12:45 pm | Part 3: Discusses the barriers and anxiety older patients have to broaching discussions about sensitive topics such memory problems and advanced care planning. We’ll also explore provider’s apprehension to bringing up sensitive topics. The session will share tips to relieve patients’ anxiety, ways to build trust, and strategies providers can use to overcome their own anxieties towards sensitive conversations.

To register, visit BCBSM's Upcoming Webinars. If unable to attend the live sessions, recordings will be made available on BCBSM's on-demand webpage.

*This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
**CEUs are also available for medical assistants.

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit our website.