April 2024

Direct Trust: Securely Refer and Share Patient Information
Direct Trust is a way to securely refer and exchange patient information from your office’s electronic health record (EHR) to another provider's EHR, independent of which EHR a provider uses. Munson Healthcare uses this critical tool to ensure patients receive needed care throughout our system. Direct Trust helps ensure continuity of care, which supports increased patient satisfaction. All MHC-employed ambulatory specialists and/or their offices can receive referrals via Direct Trust.

Have questions on how to refer using Direct Trust or creating a Direct Trust email for your providers? Please reach out to Sara Posey.

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'll indicate this by adding after the provider's name in 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 future issues of Practice Pro!  

Change Healthcare Updates
Two months after healthcare technology giant Change Healthcare was the victim of a cyberattack, our regional hospitals and provider offices continue to be affected. Although Change Healthcare reports it’s continuing to make progress with recovery, here’s an update on local impacts:

• Many healthcare providers, including Munson Healthcare, have established new medical claims submission processes with other service providers.
• Some insurance payers are not yet reconnected to Change Healthcare to receive claims and enable payments.
• The most significant remaining impact are labor-intensive workarounds for pre-authorizations.

For those impacted, we wanted to share the following resources:

• Product Restoration: For updates on the status of Change Healthcare’s services, refer to their incident website.
• Funding Support Available: The Temporary Funding Assistance Program is designed to help bridge the gap in short-term cash flow needs for providers impacted by the disruption of Change Healthcare's services. For information on eligibility and answers to frequently asked questions, click here. 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.

Regional Care Transformation Plan
Last September, Munson Healthcare (MHC) announced its 3-year Regional Care Transformation Plan to provide improved patient access to healthcare services across Northern Michigan and preserve care close to home.

When the plan is complete, patients will experience: 

• New front doors: More access and different options for care. 
• Efficiency & Convenience: Easier access to preventive care (e.g., primary care, x-rays, blood draws).
• A more consistent, seamless experience: Less paperwork, better coordination, more virtual tools.
• High-Level Specialty Care: An elevated level of care throughout the region – patients won’t need to go downstate for high-level specialty care (e.g., cardiology, stroke, oncology).

For more information — including one-pager and frequently asked questions — on the Regional Care Transformation Plan, visit our website.

RESOURCES

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for March including new providers, practice 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:

• Mark Fender, MD | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia
• Melissa Noa, NP | MHC Otsego Memorial Hospital Cancer and Infusion Center

The following Munson-employed providers are new to the following MHC practices:

• Melodie Brown, MD | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Walk-In Clinic
• Nancy Giffels, NP | Munson Partial Hospitalization Program (also practices at Munson Outpatient Behavioral Health Services)
• Jean McDonough, NP | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Walk-In Clinic
• Megan Owens, NP | Munson Hospice and Palliative Medicine Inpatient Service
  
  

Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program
A reminder the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP) provides services to uninsured clients or clients who have lost Medicaid benefits. The program providers FREE mammograms (2D and 3D) and diagnostic follow-up to uninsured and under-insured women who are eligible. 

If you identify a client who is eligible for BC3NP, please call 844-446-8727. For more information on the BC3NP, visit Michigan.gov/BC3NP. 

CLINICAL UPDATES

Remain Vigilant on Infectious Pathogens
Providers are asked to be vigilant for avian influenza, measles, meningococcal disease, and mpox.

• CDC Health Advisory: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
• CDC Measles Alert 03.18.24 | GTCHD's Measles Checklist
• CDC Health Alert: Meningococcal Disease
• MDHHS | March 2024 Mpox Update

For more information on these trending medical topics, including how to diagnose and treat, please visit Munson Healthcare Library's Services webpage.

N. MI Flu Activity Report | Week of 04.07.24

Flu Testing: Recommended

• National: Mostly minimal to low activity overall
  with a few pockets of moderate activity.
• Michigan: Moderate activity overall.
• Regional: Moderate activity overall.
  • Total Tested = 517
  • Total Positive = 70 (14%)
  • Inpatients = 7

 SERVICES

 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Munson Launching New Clinical Paging Solution – PerfectServe – in June
In response to provider and clinician feedback regarding the ongoing challenges with Spok Mobile, Munson Healthcare will be launching best-in-class PerfectServe at all locations this June for clinical paging and on-call scheduling. 

Although optional training for providers will be offered, like many Smartphone applications, PerfectServe’s applications and website are very intuitive and user-friendly, allowing many to learn through use. Training and resources for providers will be provided closer to go-live. Until then, you can find more information by visiting our PerfectServe webpage.

 EDUCATION

Life Support Requirements for MHC-Credentialed Providers
In March 2024, we implemented standardized life support certification requirements for all MHC-credentialed providers.

• The new requirements are being phased in by specialty based on reappointment cycles with maintenance of life support certification a requirement to maintain privileges.

• All current MHC providers are offered a 1-year grace period to become compliant with the new requirements. Any new provider will be given a 6-month grace period from Board approval date to obtain.

Your local Medical Staff Office will be reaching out directly to providers whose life support requirements are coming due soon. To verify a provider's required certification(s) and the deadline for compliance, refer to MHC Provider Life Support Requirements.

Action Required: Providers are asked to forward all certifications to cvoexpirables@mhc.net for inclusion in their credentialing file. Providers will receive automated reminders when the certification renewal is coming due (similar to the notifications already received for their licensure, DEA, malpractice, and board certification).

More Information: For details on certification requirements, including Training Center contacts, refer to the appropriate guide below:

• ACLS Guide
• BLS Guide
• NRP Guide
• PALS Guide

Munson's course schedule options are available at Munson Life Support Training.

Upcoming CME Opportunities

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