The goal of the wage index factor is to adjust a hospital’s reimbursement to account for labor cost differences across the United States. Over the last several years, Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have acknowledged the wage index system is broken and it is vulnerable to many inaccuracies. As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), CMS was given a deadline of December 31, 2011 to submit a plan for wage index reform. The deadline was over 11 years ago and no changes have been implemented. TPR will provide a wage index overview, continued areas of focus, important timelines, and an update on wage index reform, and why they believe reform may be needed. TPR will also discuss the Office of Inspector General (OIG) activity related to the wage index.

During this webinar, we plan to walk through the Health Management Associates (HMA) analysis—relating to State Directed Payments (SDP), answer questions, and discuss next steps.

Delayed care for patients with behavioral health needs leads to poor patient outcomes and emotional stress felt by patients and staff. Technology innovations can efficiently connect hospitals, community mental health programs, health care professionals, and behavioral health treatment programs resulting in decreased wait times for behavioral health placement and reduced strain on overcrowded emergency departments.

Learn how to build career pathways for current and future health care professionals through solutions for asynchronous and independent training using immersive technologies. Virtual reality simulations offer individuals standardized training on the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to secure a job or up-skill to serve in new or different health care roles. Attendees will learn how VR-based training has been demonstrated to improve the achievement of desired learning outcomes and learner engagement while lowering costs and other learning barriers.

With the labor shortage and rising costs straining the health care industry, hospitals are under immense pressure to find ways to cut costs and operate more effectively. During this webinar, we’ll discuss best practices and simple solutions that can be implemented right now to optimize your workforce and drive bottom-line results while improving staff engagement and positively influencing patient care.

HAP’s 2022 Patient Safety and Quality Symposium provides the setting for health care leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the future; network and learn from each other; and celebrate the diversity and scope of Pennsylvania hospitals’ accomplishments. This year's Symposium will be collocated with HAP's Emergency Management Conference. Hosting both of these events together will bring a diverse set of presenters centered on improving health care.

SAVE THE DATE! HAP's Emergency Management Conference provides the setting for professionals in emergency preparedness to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the future, network and collaborate on ways to move health care preparedness forward, and best practices for responding to life-threatening situations to keep your hospital and communities safe. This year's conference will be collocated with HAP's Patient Safety and Quality Symposium. Hosting both of these events together will bring a diverse set of presenters centered on improving health care.