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Medical Cannabis Program Expands  Qualifying Conditions

The Minnesota Department of Health will add sickle cell disease and chronic vocal or motor tic disorder to its list of qualifying medical conditions for participation in the state’s medical cannabis program. The new qualifying conditions will take effect in August 2021. As in past years, MDH conducted a formal petitioning process to solicit public input on potential qualifying conditions and delivery methods for medicine. Throughout June and July, Minnesotans submitted petitions. Following that, the process then moved into a public comment period and a public review panel. One of the health problems sickle cell disease triggers is severe pain.  “Giving sickle cell patients a more direct pathway into the medical cannabis program will permit them a non-opioid option to manage their pain,” said Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. Minnesota’s medical cannabis program already has Tourette’s syndrome as one of its qualifying medical conditions. Vocal or motor tic disorder is distinct from Tourette’s syndrome in that patients experience only vocal or motor tics, where people with Tourette’s experience both vocal and motor tics. In addition to the two new conditions, MDH considered a petition for anxiety. That petition was rejected, but Commissioner Malcolm said that the agency will commit to a deeper look at the condition in the first part of 2021. “Anxiety is a broad term for a group of specific disorders,” said Commissioner Malcolm. “We want to dig into specific anxiety disorders more and move forward carefully. The large number of patient testimonials submitted during the petition process tells us there is something there. However, we want to avoid unintended consequences – there is evidence that cannabis use can actually contribute to and make anxiety worse for some people.” This is the third time anxiety has been petitioned for the medical cannabis program. When the Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of the state’s medical cannabis program, the law included nine conditions that qualified a patient to receive medical cannabis. The list now includes fifteen.

Center for Diagnostic Imaging Purchases Wisconsin Based Smart Choice MRI

CDI has reached an agreement to purchase certain assets from Smart Choice MRI. CDI is adding former Smart Choice MRI locations in Appleton, De Pere, Kenosha and La Crosse to its existing Wisconsin network of outpatient imaging centers.

CDI currently operates outpatient imaging centers in Appleton and Eau Claire, as well as six multi-modality imaging centers in Milwaukee through a partnership with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

“We’re excited about expanding our presence in Wisconsin,” said Rick Long, CDI President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve had a long history of providing critical health care answers to patients and providers throughout the state, and these new centers help us expand access to our high-quality, high-value imaging services at a crucial time when people are seeking the convenience and safety of outpatient care.”

Smart Choice MRI has closed its remaining locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Patients seeking care at a Smart Choice MRI location are being offered appointments at nearby CDI locations. CDI has a well-established network of outpatient imaging centers in these markets that provide MRIs and a full range of other diagnostic imaging services and procedures.

CDI is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology services through its network of imaging centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and mobile imaging solutions. With more than 130 centers nationwide, CDI’s network includes 15 outpatient centers in the Twin Cities and two in Chicago. With the addition of the new locations in Appleton, De Pere, Kenosha and La Crosse, CDI now operates 10 centers in Wisconsin.

MDH Launches Text Contact Tracing Program

In response to the rapid increase in COVID cases, the Minnesota Department of Health has included text messaging as part of the ongoing efforts to inform Minnesotans who have tested positive or come on contact with those who have.  The new initiative will increase the effectiveness of existing contact efforts and help protect those most vulnerable. “Reaching every single person by phone who needs information is a monumental task,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Our staff and our partners in local public health and tribal health have done enormous work in this area, and will continue to do so. We ask all Minnesotans to do their part by answering the call, and we hope this text notification helps provide some notice and reassurance.”

“We have information and resources to share with Minnesotans, but we understand that many people are wary of answering a phone call from a number they don’t recognize,” said Chris Elvrum, MDH project spokesperson. “Sending the text lets people know we’re going to call and even tells them what number to expect the call from. Adding this tool boosts our chances of slowing the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the number of people who answer the call and successfully isolate themselves.”

A text message will be sent to people identified as a case or the contact of a case to let them know that a case interviewer from state, local or tribal health departments will be calling to discuss their COVID-19 test results or potential exposure.

EmPATH offers Model for Emergency Mental Health Care

M Health Fairview has announced a new model for outpatient mental health care, Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH).  Minnesota’s first EmPATH unit will open at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital early next year, with more to follow across the M Health Fairview system. EmPATH offers ER patients in crisis immediate access to a team of mental health experts in a calming, living-room-style environment. After a quick ER triage process, patients with mental health or substance use disorder needs are guided to EmPATH. There, they will get compassionate care to stabilize their situation, reducing the likelihood that they will need to be admitted into a hospital’s inpatient psychiatric unit. In addition to rapid treatment, EmPATH providers will partner with each patient and the patient’s loved ones to develop a care plan. Teams will also provide connections to follow-up services, so that each person will leave with a roadmap for ongoing care. Emergency Medicine Physician and Psychiatrist Richard Levine, MD said,  “Part of EmPATH’s effectiveness is that it establishes building blocks for future treatments patients will receive. The hope is that we can get more patients on the right path right away, so we are providing better short- and long-term care.” “A mental health hospitalization can be difficult, and it’s only appropriate when patients cannot reasonably care for themselves safely,” said Lewis P. Zeidner, PhD, M Health Fairview’s clinical director of behavioral healthcare providers. “It’s our job as mental health professionals to help our patients become self-sufficient. If patients can avoid hospitalization through use of other care models, then they can start using their new skills in their daily lives to build resilience. That level of individualized care isn’t always available in an emergency department. Nationally, 1 in 8 emergency room visits involve mental health or substance use conditions. Mental health patients aren’t the only people who stand to benefit from the introduction of EmPATH in the Twin Cities. Moving behavioral health patients out of emergency departments and into EmPATH units will streamline patient flow, meaning people coming with other illnesses or injuries – from heart attacks to broken legs – will have faster access to emergency care.

Large Health Systems Post 3Q profits

After huge losses in financial statement reports from the second quarter of 2020, the largest health systems in Minnesota had positive third quarters.   Allina (over $50 million on over $1 billion in revenue) and Fairview (about $10 million on over 1.5 billion in revenue) have reported modest gains from the third quarter.  Mayo clinic also reported profits (just under $300 million on just over $3.5 billion in revenue) and plans to return a portion of its CARES funding.   Impacted by the executive orders around elective surgeries and shutdown-related patient fear of going to see their doctors, the second quarter saw large health systems losing over $5 million a day. Other systems have yet to report third quarter earnings, however most systems report patient volume is close to 90% of pre-pandemic norms.  CARES act financing has played a role in third quarter income. It is too early to predict the impact of the current spike in cases.  Lessons learned from the initial response will mitigate some potential losses, as may additional federal funding.  Concerns over staff shortages and burnout lend to the uncertainty of fourth quarter projections. All systems expect the losses of 2020 to present challenges for 2021.

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Minnesota Oncology joins Mayo Clinic Care Network

Minnesota Oncology and the Mayo Clinic announced last week that Minnesota Oncology is the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

The Network is a group of independent health systems that have special access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, resources, and expertise. Minnesota Oncology is an independent cancer care practice with over 100 cancer care experts and eleven metro locations as well as a clinic in Waconia. The practice is part of  The US Oncology Network, a practice management organization with over 1300 oncologists nationwide.  “When our founding physicians —the early pioneers of oncology in Minnesota — joined forces to form what is now Minnesota Oncology , they understood the value of physicians working together to improve patient care. And today, we continue to build upon that belief as we join the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” says John Schwerkoske, M.D., president, Minnesota Oncology.

“Minnesota Oncology and Mayo Clinic’s oncology and hematology teams have a long history of collaborating on patient care,” continues Dr. Schwerkoske. “Formalizing this collaboration in a clinically meaningful relationship enhances our commitment to improve the quality and delivery of health care to our community — expanding access to the highest quality of care while allowing patients to stay right here in the Twin Cities under the supervision of their established care team at Minnesota Oncology.”   “Minnesota Oncology is a strong, high-quality regional organization that shares a patient-centered approach to cancer care. We look forward to being a resource and working together to benefit patients in the Twin Cities” said Mark V. Larson, M.D., enterprise medical director, Mayo Clinic Provider Relations. Through this relationship, Minnesota Oncology providers will have access to Mayo Clinic’s specialized knowledge and expertise, including its research, diagnostic, and treatment resources.

CMS Recognizes HealthPartners MSHO Plan

An annual report from CMS  on the quality of health and drug services for Medicare enrollees  has just awarded the HealthPartners Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) a 5 star rating. The report scores  on a one to five star range based on a series of clinical and performance measures including quality of care, member experience, health plan administration and customer service. HealthPartners is the first and only plan in Minnesota to earn the top score, and one of three fully integrated dual eligible special needs plans (FIDE-SNPs) in the nation to receive 5 stars for 2021. “Earning a 5-star rating for MSHO is an incredible accomplishment, and I’m proud to be part of a team that works hard to achieve top performance that improves the health and well-being of our members,” said Jim Eppel, HealthPartners executive vice president and chief administrative officer. “Excellence in health care matters. These impressive ratings mean we’re keeping members healthy and delivering on our promise of high-quality, affordable care.” MSHO enrollees are lower-income and have more medical conditions and disabilities. Their social determinants of health can present further challenges to improving the care experience and health outcomes for enrollees. HealthPartners offers unique benefits to eligible MSHO members including coverage for animatronic support pets, electronic tablets, light therapy lamps and caregiver support.

Davis Acquires Woodbury Medical Office Building

Minneapolis-based Davis recently announced the acquisition of the 52,787 sq. ft Cornerstone Medical Building in Woodbury. This was part of closing on  eight medical office buildings (MOBs) totaling 309,735 square feet during the first two weeks of December for a total of $112 million. Three of the properties were sold into the fund from existing Davis-affiliated partnerships and five were newly acquired from third parties.

“This is just the start of what we expect will be a fund of 20+ medical office buildings totaling up to $240 million,” says Mark Davis, Founder and Managing Partner of the national healthcare real estate development, property management, brokerage and investment firm.

He added, “We are looking for $125 million of medical building acquisitions in 2021, and we’re highly motivated, flexible and quick in closing on these assets.”