IHA Daily Briefing: August 31

IHA Submits Comments on CY2027 Medicare OPPS Proposed Rule
Today, IHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule. We stressed our deep concern about certain proposals to underfund outpatient care while CMS payment and operational policies continue to push hospital-level care to the outpatient setting. If finalized, these policies would negatively affect beneficiary access to hospital-level care, increase hospital regulatory burden, and lead to patient billing confusion. Specifically, we asked CMS to consider the following:

• Reassess the methodology used for rate updates under the OPPS;
• Provide hospitals with the time, flexibility and guidance necessary to prepare for the Jan. 1, 2028, statutory requirement that each off-campus hospital outpatient department (HOPD) obtain and bill under its own National Provider Identifier and attest to compliance with provider-based requirements;
• Withdraw proposals to reduce Medicare reimbursement for 340B-acquired drugs and expedite the annual clawback of funds related to the 2018 340B reimbursement reduction;
• Consider unintended consequences that impede patient access to medically necessary healthcare when eliminating the inpatient only list; and
• Withdraw the proposal to reduce payment for all imaging without contrast services furnished in excepted off-campus HOPDs.

Facility-specific estimated financial impact reports comparing the CY 2027 proposed rule to the CY 2026 final rule are available in the IHA C-Suite.

Staff contact: Cassie Yarbrough

IDPH Health Advisory: Measles Cases Identified Amid Increasing Regional Activity
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) has issued a Health Advisory in response to increased measles activity, including two unrelated Illinois cases: one identified in an unvaccinated Kane County resident following international travel, and another case identified in an unvaccinated Douglas County resident.

IDPH said providers should be on alert for possible measles cases, particularly those with recent international travel or travel to areas experiencing ongoing outbreaks. The Department emphasized clinicians are required to immediately notify their local health department or IDPH of any suspected measles case at the time measles is first considered and before clinical testing is performed. IDPH provides measles PCR testing at no cost and noted it discourages the use of commercial laboratory testing unless specifically requested by public health authorities.

Healthcare facilities are encouraged to verify that staff and patient populations are up to date on measles vaccination or have presumptive evidence of immunity. Additional clinical guidance, including symptom screening, diagnostic recommendations and laboratory considerations, is available in the IDPH Clinician Measles Mini-Toolkit.

FDA Alerts Healthcare, Public to Medical Recalls and Early Alerts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified a Class I recall of certain convenience kits by AVID Medical that contain recalled Medline Namic Angiographic Star Off Handle Manifolds following the discovery of particulate matter within the fluid path of the manifolds.

FDA Early Alerts were issued for other medical products, including certain esophageal pH monitoring capsules by Medtronic, which is recommending they be removed from use due to the potential of the capsule not attaching to the patient's esophagus or not detaching from the delivery device as intended. Additionally, Boston Scientific is recommending all Imager II Angiographic Catheters be removed due to a manufacturing issue affecting the catheter tip. An updated Early Alert was also issued for AVID Medical convenience kits, which contain recalled BD ChloraPrep applicators due to fungal contamination that may occur under certain environmental conditions.

Certain intravenous solutions have also been voluntarily recalled, including two lots of Baxter's 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, due to the potential presence of particulate matter identified as fiberglass in the solution. Three lots of B. Braun Medical's 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, 100 mL, in a 150 mL Partial Additive Bag by, has also been recalled due to the presence of particulate matter identified as zinc oxide.

Illinois Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month
In two new proclamations, Gov. JB Pritzker recognized August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day and September as National Recovery Month in Illinois.

International Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges the impact of drug overdoses on individuals, families, and communities while highlighting ways to reduce drug overdose deaths. National Recovery Month celebrates people in recovery from behavioral health challenges and promotes evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. Throughout August and September, the Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS) and community partners will host events and activities across the state to raise awareness about drug overdose prevention and recovery from substance use and mental health conditions. Click here for more information on related resources and state supports.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) recently issued a notice that the six-month moratorium issued on the enrollment of new Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) companies in Medicare expired Aug. 27. CMS said that national provider enrollment contractors are now accepting initial enrollment applications from those suppliers. The agency said that DMEPOS suppliers should submit applications as soon as possible to allow contractors the maximum time to process applications before the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Round 2028 bidding window opens.

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