Committees, Workgroups, and Task Forces

At the direction of our member hospitals, NCHA staff facilitates many different committees and task forces. NCHA members who participate in these committees and task forces have the opportunity to influence and shape policy-making decisions for the association. The call to serve on a committee will re-open in late 2026.

NCHA Committees are based on specific topic areas that require sustained action by the Association. NCHA management may create new member policy committees in policy priority areas that are approved by the Board for the annual legislative and policy priorities.

NCHA Task Forces like policy committees with the exception that they are limited in scope and duration. Task Forces may originate from NCHA management and must be approved by the NCHA President and CEO. If sustained action is required, the Task Force may evolve into a policy committee.

Workgroups are established by policy committees to address more technical items related to the broader topic area. As such, the policy committee will determine the scope, membership, and duration of the workgroup. Workgroups report directly to the policy committee.

  • The Board is the only body that can establish
    the Association’s policy positions and
    legislative priorities.
  • Member groups have a responsibility to
    inform, advise, and recommend action to
    the Board in support of the Board’s
    established positions and direction.
  • The Board may direct member groups and
    member groups may recommend new
    action or positions for Board consideration
    and approval.

Browse Our Groups

Technical Advisory Group (TAC) // The TAC established guiding principles to guide NCHA on Medicaid reimbursement and financing decisions. Guiding principles include proper hospital funding for federal drawdown, ensuring payment follows care for Medicaid and uninsured programs, provides focus on access to care and the long-term durability of hospital financing of programs.

  • Implementation Committee (IC) // The IC focuses on the implementation of various financing programs as directed by the TAC through recurring meetings to review progress and manage development.
  • Technical Data Working Group (TDWT) // Supports the TAC in providing expertise on the financial data components necessary to carry out implementation of various programs. The TDWT has insight on cost report components, disproportionate share hospital (DSH) auditing, Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) audits, etc. 

Medicaid Managed Care Steering Committee // Guides NCHA in ensuring the NC Medicaid program maintains providers will be reimbursed for services provided, reduce provider administrative burden, and beneficiaries receive the care they need.

  • Patient Financial Services (PFS) Subcommittee // Identifies systematic issues occurring on administrative and technical claims processes and reimbursement impacts. This committee assists the NCHA finance in meeting with managed care payers to discuss issues and provide additional context on reimbursement issues.
  • Clinical Policy and Utilization Management Subcommittee // Proactively addresses the clinical and utilization management matters that impact Medicaid beneficiary access to care. This committee provides clinical expertise and assists NCHA finance in developing recommendations clinical policies, promote beneficiary access and ensure hospitals are reimbursed for medically necessary services. 

Managed Care Committee // Identifies process issues occurring in managed care plans (commercial and governmental) and seeks NCHA support to resolve items with payers and encourage process efficiencies.

No Surprises Act Subcommittee // Workgroup sharing best practices in implementing the requirements set forth on the No Surprises Act and dispute resolution requirements.

Medical Debt Initiative Workgroup // Workgroup sharing best practices in implementing the requirements of the Medical Debt Mitigation policy as set forth by NC DHHS as an opt-in condition for enhanced HASP payments.

Mental Health Policy and Access Committee // Develop the long-term NCHA strategy on behavioral health reform and advise on federal and state regulatory and legislative actions. Areas of focus include oversight of all behavioral health subgroups, monthly meetings with the Division of Mental Health to review items pressing to hospitals, BH SCAN implementation, and allocation of the NCGA investments in behavioral health.

  • Involuntary Commitment Reform Workgroup // Collective action to improve the involuntary commitment process for patients and providers. Areas of focus include design and implementation of the Non-Law Enforcement Transportation Pilot (NLET).
  • Three-Way Bed Workgroup // Provide recommendations on improvements to the state’s three-way bed program, a reimbursement program for hospitals who serve uninsured patients who require an inpatient psychiatric stay. Areas of focus include contract amendments, rate increases, and how the program is structured and administered by the state and Tailored Plans.
  • Youth DSS Boarding Workgroup // Address the growing concern with youth boarding, particularly for DSS custody youth, and develop actions to alleviate the drivers of ED boarding. Areas of focus include legislative changes to SB 693, relationship building with DSS directors and county commissioners for common agenda, and future advocacy for newly deployed Child and Families Specialty Plan. 

Transitions of Care Committee // Develop and support actions to address patient delays in post-acute dispositions. Areas of focus include member data collection on excess days by disposition and payor, home health electronic visit verification (EVV), and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) placements.

Rehab Affinity Group // Comprised of member representatives with rehabilitation facilities, engage in peer-to-peer information sharing and advising on best practices for rehabilitation facilities to include regulatory and legislative issues as necessary. NCHA is an invited guest.

Staff contact: Alicia Barfield, abarfield@ncha.org (for all the workgroups and committees listed above)

Hospital Violence Protection Act Task Force // Develop consensus for language to modify the existing statute (House Bill 125) and to share best practices for meeting statutory requirements in conjunction with regulatory partners for implementation.

NC State Health Plan Task Force // Identify, develop, and provide tactical and policy recommendations to NCHA on cost saving mechanisms and other means for addressing the financial solvency of the State Health Plan, while maintaining or improving patient access to quality care for State Health Plan members.

Parental Access to Electronic Health Records Task Force // Responsible for identifying and developing potential legal and technical recommendations for NCHA’s engagement with state legislators on the issue of guardian proxy access to the electronic health records (EHRs) of their associated minor children while maintaining the minor’s privacy in records related to treatment/services to which the minor consented under applicable law. Staff contact: Jonathan Kea, jkea@ncha.org

Healthcare AI Task Force // Informing, advising, and assisting in the development of policy to influence healthcare AI regulatory and legislative activity at the state and federal level. Staff contact: James Tucker, jtucker@ncha.org

Staff Contact

If you have a general question about any of NCHAs committees, task forces, or work groups, please direct them to Melissa Kenny using the contact information below. In the email heading please indicate which you committee, task force, or workgroup you have a question about so she can direct it appropriately.