Applications Open for 2027 AHA Quest for Quality Prize

The Ohio Department of Medicaid continues to expand the Next Generation MyCare program, with implementation now underway in Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, Coshocton, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey and Muskingum counties. The program, which will continue rolling out statewide through Aug. 1, is designed to improve care coordination for members while streamlining processes for participating providers. Providers who wish to serve MyCare members must be enrolled with ODM and contracted with participating MyCare health plans, while existing contracted providers do not need to take additional action. Key reminders for providers include: Claims must be submitted through a participating MyCare plan using Direct…

The AHA recently announced the appointment of Steve Walsh as its next president and chief executive officer. Walsh, who has served as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association since 2017, will assume leadership of the nation’s largest hospital and health care system membership organization this fall. “Following a thoughtful national search, the Board unanimously selected Steve Walsh to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hospital Association,” said Marc L. Boom, MD, chair of the AHA Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “Steve is a proven health…

The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases is seeking support from health care providers to strengthen summer influenza viral surveillance. Health care providers are being asked to work with their local health department during the summer months to coordinate submission of specimens that are positive for influenza A or B on RT-PCR or rapid molecular tests to the ODH Public Health Laboratory for confirmatory testing and subtyping. If testing volume is such that submitting all positives is prohibitive, it is recommended that providers prioritize submission of specimens from severely ill patients (e.g., hospitalized patients, including ICU patients). If…

The Ohio Department of Health is urging Ohioans to practice safe food handling as cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that causes severe watery diarrhea, continue to increase across the state. Health officials said the outbreak has been concentrated in northwest Ohio, particularly in Lucas County, and is believed to be linked to contaminated fresh produce. However, investigators have not yet identified a specific source. Symptoms may include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue. Individuals experiencing persistent illness are encouraged to contact a health care provider. The Ohio Department of Health recommends thoroughly washing fresh produce, following safe food-preparation practices,…