IHA Team Visits Southern Illinois Hospitals and Health Systems
Staffing and recruitment challenges, navigating payer issues, and boarding concerns were just some of the issues that the IHA team heard about when we hit the road for two days this week to engage in-person with member CEOs and their teams at nearly 50 Illinois hospitals and health systems.
The visits presented an opportunity to listen to member concerns, gather information about future changes in their respective regions, and discuss opportunities for IHA to support Illinois hospitals and the patients they serve.
“I want to thank the hospital teams for their warm hospitality, their openness in sharing the challenges they face, and their thoughtful ideas for shaping our future advocacy agenda to strengthen hospital operations and enhance the patient experience,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. “Our team was encouraged and impressed to learn about the innovative programs, expansions, and remarkable work underway to serve patients and communities across Illinois.”
The IHA team heard about the many accomplishments at hospitals in southern Illinois, including successful healthcare worker pipeline programs, innovative community outreach initiatives, and facility expansions and upgrades.
During the visits, IHA staff also encouraged member hospital CEOs and their staff to sign up for IHA’s upcoming Regional Hospital Leader meetings, which will be held in Naperville, Chicago, Springfield, Whittington and Collinsville.
Click here for more information and to register. IHA staff also encouraged participation in IHA’s Leadership Summit, which is set for Sept. 25-26 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. To register,
click here.
Letter To Healthcare Providers: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Devices
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently
issued a letter to healthcare providers and facilities about the safe use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) devices and the importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions for use. HBOT is a type of treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a special chamber. The FDA is aware of recent reports of fires that occurred with HBOT devices that resulted in serious injuries and deaths. Currently, the root cause of these events is not known. While the communication said that it’s believed that serious adverse events associated with HBOT devices are rare, the FDA said healthcare providers and users should be aware that these events can and do occur and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions to help reduce potential risks.
FDA Approves Fall COVID-19 Shots, With New Restrictions
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced approval of fall COVID-19 shots, with new restrictions for a smaller, high-risk group of people. The updated COVID shots are approved for adults 65 and older, as well as children and adults who have at least one underlying medical condition placing them at risk of severe illness. In an
X post yesterday, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “FDA has now issued marketing authorization for those at higher risk: Moderna (6+ months), Pfizer (5+), and Novavax (12+).” One change is now patients must consult with their doctor before they can get a COVID-19 vaccine, rather than directly accessing it directly through a pharmacy. Kennedy also said the emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines has been rescinded.
2025 Suicide Prevention Summit Sept. 19
Riveredge Hospital, in partnership with the Community Mental Health Board, the Village of Oak Park, West 40, Thrive Counseling Center, River Forest Township and Sustainable Mental Wellness, Inc., is hosting a Suicide Prevention Summit to advance suicide prevention through education, connection and empowerment. This conference is geared towards providers and professionals in the mental health field, clinicians, teachers, members of police and fire departments, and individuals with lived experience. The event aims to build cross-sector collaboration, center diverse voices and lived experience, promote evidence-based practices and innovation, foster community resilience and connection, and encourage action and accountability. This full-day event will take place Sept. 19 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT at the Hyatt Lodge Conference Center, 2715 Jorie Blvd. in Oak Brook. CEUs are available.
Click here for more information, including registration details.
Deadline Approaching: Medicaid IMPACT Revalidations Due Aug. 31
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is currently conducting IMPACT Medicaid provider revalidations. Providers in the August cohort must complete IMPACT revalidations by this Sunday, Aug. 31.
Completing this information is necessary to continue receiving Medicaid reimbursement. If you are in this revalidation cycle and do not submit your revalidation information by Aug. 31 you will be disenrolled from the IMPACT system and cannot receive retroactive enrollment. IHA urges all providers to check their revalidation cycle due date.
NOTE: If a physician providing services at your hospital does not revalidate, your hospital will not receive payment for those services provided by that physician. HFS has provided IHA with step-by-step instructions to check the status and due date of servicing providers that you can access
here. The
IMPACT Provider Revalidation website includes step-by-step instructions, FAQs and a townhall webinar recording.
