REGISTER: Proposed CMS Joint Replacement Model Webinar Aug. 20
Hospitals will be required to take on greater financial accountability for defined episodes of care beginning October 2027 with the federal government’s launch of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Expanded (CJR-X) Model. A complimentary IHA webinar on Aug. 20, “Preparing for CJR-X: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know,” will discuss the model’s proposed structure, participation and performance requirements to help plan for compliance. 

C-Suite executives—including chief financial, compliance, medical and nursing officers—are encouraged to attend, as are revenue cycle and patient financial services leaders and staff. Led by experts with the Forvis Mazars consultancy, the 10-11 a.m. CT webinar will cover the model’s key features and goals, along with:

• Aligning cost and quality performance across an episode of care;
• Potential organizational implications of participation, including impacts on performance, operations, and care delivery; and
• Key considerations and early steps for success.

CJR-X represents a significant expansion of mandatory, episode-based payment models used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The model is expected to be finalized in the Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule in the coming weeks.

There is no fee to attend. The webinar will be recorded and made available to all registrants following the program. Register today.

Staff contacts: Cassie Yarbrough, Jennifer Koehler

Resources: Upcoming Noncitizen Medicaid Eligibility Changes
Illinois hospitals and healthcare providers are encouraged to continue outreach efforts to help Medicaid enrollees prepare for upcoming federal eligibility and reporting changes tied to H.R. 1. Under the new federal requirements, certain noncitizens will lose coverage on Oct. 1, 2026. This includes refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and numerous others. 

The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has developed an H.R. 1 Noncitizen Toolkit to inform providers of these upcoming changes. The toolkit, and accompanying materials, are available in multiple languages on the HFS Federal Resource Center webpage.  HFS has also posted a recording of their webinar on this topic, “Non-citizen Eligibility Changes & Alternative Resources,” which includes additional details for providers.

To support stakeholder education and planning efforts HFS continues to host a webinar series focused on the anticipated Medicaid changes under H.R. 1. The next webinar, “Work Requirements & Community Engagement,” will take place Tuesday, July 14 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. CT. Additional webinars are also planned in the coming months. To register for this webinar, view recordings of previous webinars, and view other upcoming webinars, click here. 

July 15 Trauma-Informed Perinatal Workshop
The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) is sponsoring four in-person Trauma-Informed Care Workshops led by Tracey Vogel, MD, a nationally recognized obstetric anesthesiologist, trained sexual assault counselor, and creator and director of the Perinatal Trauma-informed Care Clinic in Pittsburgh, Penn. The first workshop will be held in Glenview on Wednesday, July 15 from 8 a.m.-noon CT and will feature:

• Foundational education on trauma-informed care principles;
• Practical patient communication strategies for clinicians and staff;
• Small-group case exploration and skills-building activities;
• Techniques for managing acute stress responses; and
• Simulated patient interactions with trained actors.

Click here to view a flyer with event details and registration information. The workshop is free for all participants and CEs will be provided. ILPQC will hold the same workshop in Belleville on Aug. 28, Chicago on Sept. 10 and Peoria on Sept. 11. More information on these workshops is forthcoming. 

Gov. Pritzker Signs Artificial Intelligence Safety Law
Yesterday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB 315/PA 104-0538, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Measures Act, legislation establishing a robust framework for AI safety, transparency, and accountability. The bipartisan law requires the largest AI developers to identify, disclose, and mitigate risks while providing independent oversight and protections for workers who report safety concerns. IHA provided input during the development of the legislation, which earned widespread support from legislators and stakeholders seeking to establish responsible parameters around AI. Click here to view the Governor’s press statement, which provides additional information on the legislation that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.