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NCHA High Performance Health System Collaborative

Health system leaders and care teams are overwhelmed by the pace and scope of effort required to transform their organizations to meet the new expectations of “value” and financial risk. The transformation requires a deep understanding of current vs. future capabilities, and the ability to establish a thoughtfully sequenced strategic plan that achieves measurable value at a pace that matches the workforce’s readiness to change. In partnership with The Dartmouth Institute, NCHA is launching a High Performance Health System Collaborative that helps each member define the key objectives and supporting capabilities required to transition from the current state to a higher level of readiness for emerging risk-based payment models (i.e. North Carolina’s Medicaid Reform plan, Accountable Care Organizations, etc). For more information on the collaborative, see the attached flyer or go to https://www.ncha.org/high-performance-health-system.

Join the 2017 NCHA Corporate Sponsorship Program

Want to do business with North Carolina's hospitals and health systems? Let the North Carolina Hospital Association help with the introductions. Make meaningful business connections with key decision-makers from NC hospitals and health systems by enrolling today in the 2017 NCHA Corporate Sponsorship Program. The program provides four tiers with benefits for each level of participation and support. For details, see the brochure. Questions? Contact Pamala Rogers at 919-677-4246 or progers@ncha.org.

NCHA Honors Three at Summer Meeting July 14

Three healthcare leaders were awarded with NCHA's highest honors July 14 during NCHA's Summer Meeting in Pinehurst.

Greg Gombar, CPA, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, received the 2016 Distinguished Service Award. Widely regarded as one of the state's most influential hospital leaders, Mr. Gombar has been actively involved with NCHA and is one of the architects and continued proponents of the state's Medicaid Reimbursement Initiative/Gap Assessment Program.

Phyllis N. Horns, PhD, RN, vice chancellor for Health Sciences at East Carolina University, was awarded the 2016 Meritorious Service Award for her work educating tomorrow's healthcare professionals.

Dale Jenkins, CEO and director of Medical Mutual Holdings of North Carolina was recognized with the 2016 Trustee Merit Award. Mr. Jenkins is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees for UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill and was previously Chair of the Board of Directors for UNC Rex Healthcare in Raleigh.

NCHA Receives Public Policy Innovation Award

The North Carolina Mobile Medication Management Program, coordinated by the North Carolina Hospital Association (NCHA) and funded through a 3-year grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, has been awarded the highest honor in the Pioneer Institute’s 25th Annual Better Government Competition. The program was chosen from 100 entries from across the country for its unique approach to reducing the number of psychiatric hospitalizations and repeated emergency department visits by individuals with severe behavioral health disorders.

After its first year in operation in Nash and Vance counties, the pilot program has achieved a 94 percent reduction in emergency department visits by participants and reduced the number of psychiatric hospitalizations by 83 percent. UNC Nash Health Care and Daymark Recovery Services operate the programs in Nash and Vance counties, respectively.

Hospitals Give Back to Their Communities

Saving lives, restoring health and providing jobs are just the beginning of hospitals’ and health systems’ contributions to their communities. Hospitals, health systems, and their employees positively affect almost every aspect of community life. Some hospitals provide nurses in local schools as a first line of defense against communicable childhood diseases. Others underwrite the salaries of nursing educators, enabling community citizens to step toward careers in healthcare. Hospitals and health systems contribute to local economic development foundations, loan executives to lead worthwhile community causes, and provide free (charity) care for those who lack sufficient financial resources.

Government representatives have previously focused solely on charity care as a measure of community benefit. All hospitals and health systems, regardless of ownership type, provide community benefits that otherwise government agencies would have to provide. Hospitals and health systems finance these benefits, thereby eliminating the need for public tax increases. To see a list of North Carolina hospitals and health systems’ charity care policies as well as their financial assistance information, click here.

NC Hospitals Making Cost and Quality Information Available to Consumers

North Carolina hospitals are committed to improving access to useful information for anyone making health care decisions. This information should come from all providers involved in your care, from physicians and hospitals to insurance companies. If you have insurance coverage, you will probably be most interested in knowing your potential “out of pocket” costs. Your insurance provider is the best source for this information. Many insurance companies have established cost calculators for their customers, based on a specific insurance plan, that can help you estimate your financial liability. Any search also should include getting information about quality measures, like patient safety and outcomes for hospital and outpatient procedures. You can find more information on cost and quality transparency at www.HealthierTomorrowNC.com.