News and Updates

Thank you all for participating in today’s webinar with Nancy Devine, Chief Operating Officer, and Megan Schiavone, Strategic Account Executive, for Deterra®.  Click here for the webinar recording.

APS is hosting a webinar for new vendor Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, with speaker Megan Schiavone, Business Development Manager, for Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc. at 10 a.m. CT, Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, developed by Minneapolis-based Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., is a patented process that permanently and irreversibly deactivates and destroys prescription medications, including opioids and fentanyl, as well as over the counter medications, most illicit drugs, and vape fluid, in the home.

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A new APS vendor, Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, makes it easy for hospitals and other providers to help patients safely deactivate and dispose of unneeded medications, including prescription painkillers, in the home.

The Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, developed by Minneapolis-based Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., is a patented process that permanently and irreversibly deactivates and destroys prescription medications, including opioids and fentanyl, as well as over-the-counter medications, most illicit drugs, and vape fluid.

For more information, go to the APS website. [Read More…]

Thank you all for participating in the Allied Business Solutions, LLC  webinar on May 04, 2023 with Sue Feighner, Account Manager, and Larry Alsup, President for Allied Business Solutions. Click here for the webinar recording.

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A new APS vendor, Allied Business Solutions, LLC, is a completely unbiased resource specializing in telecommunication billing solutions.

Their mission is to provide clients the highest level of unbiased expert advice in all aspects of telecommunication billing. They are committed to earning your business every day through watchdog efforts of protecting your organization from erroneous telecommunication charges and helping to improve the operational aspects of your company. Their goal is a partnership with their clients–a trusted, committed alliance–providing value by freeing up your internal resources to focus on your core business issues.

For more information, go to the APS website. [Read More…]

Thank you all for participating in the CorroHealth webinar on April 25, 2023, Price Transparency and No Surprises Act, with Barbara Johnson, Senior Revenue Cycle Consultant for CorroHealth. Click here for the webinar recording.

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Please join us for an update on the Price Transparency and No Surprises Act (NSA) with speaker Barbara Johnson, BSN, RN, Senior Revenue Consultant for CorroHealth at 9 a.m. CT, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.  Registration Link

Attendees will be able to:

• Learn which healthcare facilities/providers must comply with Price Transparency and NSA regulations
• Outline the requirements of Price Transparency
• Discuss Required NSA documents and timeframes for presenting these to patients
• Explore the NSA provisions that will be enforced later in 2023 after final rulemaking [Read More…]

Vizient, Inc. recently released a Budget Impact Projections Report to provide healthcare organizations with estimated price change projections related to the healthcare supply chain. The projections start from July 2023 to June 2024, and can help healthcare organizations assist in budgeting for upcoming supply-related expenses.

Thank you all for participating in today’s webinar, “Regulators in The Lobby” with Anders Lodin, and Don Death of Readiness Rounds. Click here for the recording from today’s webinar.

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Please join us for a very informative webinar topic: Regulators in The Lobby, with speakers Anders Lodin, National Sales Executive, and Don Death, Founder & CEO, with Readiness Rounds  at 10 a.m. CT, Wednesday, March 15, 2023.  Registration Link

Discussion Topics:

• Streamlined Efforts: Significantly streamline your Quality & Accreditation managers efforts to proactively gather, aggregate, and report data
• Regulatory-Based Checklists: All rounding efforts and checklists are associated with the appropriate regulatory authority
• Performance Improvement: Sustained performance improvement supports regulatory compliance
• Survey Ready: Eliminate the traditional frantic environment of ensuring compliance during the survey window [Read More…]

A new APS vendor, Allied Business Solutions, LLC, is a completely unbiased resource specializing in telecommunication billing solutions.

Their mission is to provide clients the highest level of unbiased expert advice in all aspects of telecommunication billing. They are committed to earning your business every day through watchdog efforts of protecting your organization from erroneous telecommunication charges and helping to improve the operational aspects of your company. Their goal is a partnership with their clients–a trusted, committed alliance–providing value by freeing up your internal resources to focus on your core business issues.

For more information, go to the APS website. [Read More…]

A new APS vendor, Verde Technologies is the creator of Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, and a privately-owned company committed to developing research-based scientifically proven solutions to reduce drug misuse and negative environmental impact. Deterra products are backed by science, a history of success and a leadership team passionate about solving the problem of safe medication disposal.

Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System developed under federal contract awarded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Deterra is endorsed by both Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the DEA Educational Foundation for unused drug deactivation and disposal. ​Deterra is the only product that CADCA has endorsed in its 30-year history. Deterra is a scientifically proven drug misuse prevention tool trusted by  Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA), the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and others to ensure unused medications are gone – for good.

For more information, go to the APS website. [Read More…]

APS members, Hillyard, Inc. has a price adjustment forthcoming that will impact Hillyard Manufactured Goods. This will be a company-wide increase that will go into effect on March 1, 2023. [Read More…]

APS members, per the terms of our written agreement with Voss Lighting, this serves as a notification that due to the increasing pressures felt thoughout the supply chain (including raw materials, commodities, and logistics) there will be pricing increases  effective March 15, 2023. [Read More…]

Koch Filter Corporation is a leading manufacturer of indoor air filtration solutions that protect the quality of life for individuals while protecting processes and equipment in the workplace.

Through your APS agreement with Koch Filter Corporation, they also offer a free audit of your current filters and can provide you an assessment on proper upgrades, etc., at no cost to you. Read More

APS Member hospitals now have access to a breakthrough technology that can lower energy and water costs by dramatically decreasing cooling tower water contamination.

Managed Energy Systems represents a product that improves the efficiency of your chiller’s open loop system – ElectroCell Particle Precipitator System. Benefits include hitting energy/sustainability goals, reducing operation problems in the plant, and deterring capital funding for plant upgrade or expansions. Read More

Click here for the Integrated Psychiatric Consultants webinar recording from July 27, 2022.

A new APS vendor, Integrated Psychiatric Consultants (IPC), is  a Kansas company with over 20 years of industry experience, and is now offering cost-effective, contracted behavioral health solutions to APS members. [Read More…]

Click here for the Readiness Rounds/Well Screen webinar recording from December 7, 2022.

Please join us for a very informative webinar topic: Safe Entry Into Healthcare – Post Pandemic, with speakers Anders Lodin, National Sales Executive, and Lindsey Norwood, Account Manager, with Readiness Rounds/Well Screen™  at 11 a.m. CT, Wednesday, December 7, 2022.  Registration Link

Discussion Topics:

• See what 8 rural Kansas hospitals have already put in place
• How to achieve a sustainable entrance process in place with Visitor Management, Wellness Screening, and Vendor Credentialing
• Know where your visitors are at all times, limit the spread of virus infections, and ensure that your vendors are properly vetted to enter your facility [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, special counsel and consumer advocate, Foulston Siefkin LLP, on behalf of the Kansas Industrial Consumers Group (KIC):

Kansas is in last place in comparison to neighboring states — with the highest retail electric rates in the region for the residential class, commercial class, and industrial class.

APS is part of the Kansas Industrial Consumers (KIC) working to reduce our electric rates. This not only effects our hospitals but, our customers, and workforce. By using APS, we use our administrative fees to pay in support of fighting for fair and sustainable electric power and rates.

Click on the link for the 2021 Total Electric Industry Average Retail Prices (Cents/kWh), released on October 6, 2022 by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  [Read More…]

Please join us for a very informative Price Transparency Tool Demo & No Surprises Act (NSA) Webinar, with speaker Barbara Johnson, BSN, RN, CPC, FHFMA – Senior Revenue Cycle Consultant for ParaRev, at 10 a.m. CT | 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

No Surprises Act (NSA) Effective January 1, 2023:
On December 27, 2020, the No Surprises Act (NSA) was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Simply put, the NSA protects patients from surprise medical bills that come from unknowingly receiving care from out-of-network care providers. It also takes Priced Transparency to a new level by requiring providers to present a good faith estimate to uninsured or self-pay patients. The NSA has been in effect for several months, yet many providers still have unanswered questions about what its interim final rules mean –and the steps they must take to comply with them. This presentation will attempt to answer many of those questions as we discuss what provisions are being enforced and what to expect later this year, and into 2023.

Learning Objectives:
·    Learn which healthcare facilities/providers must comply with NSA regulations
·    Discuss required NSA documents and timeframes for presenting these to patients
·    Explore the NSA provisions that were not being enforced in 2022, and how to prepare for compliance in 2023

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CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest hospital chains in the U.S., suffered a ransomware cyberattack that is impacting many hospitals’ ability to deliver patient care, and Microsoft is sending urgent patches for an Exchange zero-day. There are also several other major security stories to discuss. Critical Insight is hosting an Urgent Panel Discussion on Thursday,... [Read More »]

Cybercriminals are targeting critical access and rural hospitals just as much as they are targeting bigger organizations. But the smaller organizations have fewer resources and tighter budgets. Hear from John Riggi, American Hospital Association’s national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, on the current state of cybersecurity threats against hospitals and learn from two rural hospitals... [Read More »]

APS members, per the terms of our written agreement with Voss Lighting, this serves as a notification that due to rising material costs, some of the items you purchase will be increasing in price, effective October 1, 2022. [Read More…]

A new APS vendor, Breez Health, LLC, offers a web-based platform that streamlines financial aid application and management processes. A hospital’s financial assistance program is a critical lifeline that can provide low-income families and individuals with access to affordable care. Successful aid programs also help hospitals reduce collection expense, decrease bad debt and increase community benefit contributions. [Read More…]

Please join us for a very informative Lunch & Learn/Webinar, with Barbara Johnson, BSN, RN, CPC, FHFMA – Senior Revenue Cycle Consultant  at 11 a.m. CT, Wednesday, August 3, 2022. ParaRev has developed a tool which can produce the required documents (Disclosure Notice, Right to Receive a Good Faith Effort of Anticipated Charges, GFE, and Notice and Consent) which will ensure compliance with the provisions enforced in 2022. In 2023 they anticipate more enforcements which will place a greater burden on providers as they attempt to create a consolidated GFE with the charges of all co-providers and communicate with health plans to submit a GFE for all insured patients. The plan will use the GFE to submit an advanced explanation of benefits to the insured individual. ParaRev is developing tools to relieve these burdens. [Read More…]

Cybercriminals are targeting critical access and rural hospitals just as much as they are targeting bigger organizations. But the smaller organizations have fewer resources and tighter budgets. Hear from John Riggi, American Hospital Association’s national advisor for cybersecurity and risk, on the current state of cybersecurity threats against hospitals and learn from two rural hospitals... [Read More »]

Please join us for a very informative Lunch & Learn/Webinar, with Monica Lelevich, Director of Audit Services at 11 a.m. CST, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. PARA HealthCare Analytics offers a selection of many services, including Consulting, Accounts Receivable Recovery, Share of Cost, Charge Master Review, Claim Review, PARA Data Maintenance, Pharmacy Pricing Analysis, Physician Practice Pricing Analysis, PARA Data Editor PDE™ (a web-based system that assists hospitals with revenue cycle functions), and PARA Revenue Integrity Program.. [Read More…]

Please join us for a very informative Lunch & Learn/Webinar, with Jon Gaffer, Director of Business Development for Greenstaff Medical USA, at 11 a.m. CST, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Greenstaff offers long-term nurse staffing solutions for APS Members, and is a global staffing agency that partners with hospitals to deliver RNs in more than 60 specialty areas. [Read More…]

I wish to inform you of the current status of our electric service in Kansas and Missouri. We are part of the Southwest Power Pool, and the SPP is close to an all-time high of electric usage. Currently, there is no emergency, but, the environment can change quickly. I request all facilities to check the status of your emergency electric power. Please perform all testing, maintenance, and verify the emergency power is ready to perform. We do not want a surprise, like last February 2021, with the natural gas business. The below is an update from Jim Zakoura, our APS legal counsel. APS participates in the Natural Gas Group, and KIC for Electric issues with Evergy.

Kansas and the 14 states of the Southwest Power Pool are predicted to experience high temperatures today (and throughout this week), that will range to 105 degrees. [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC):

Updates on a couple of important energy matters.

Last Friday, June 10, 2022, Kansas Gas Service (KGS) filed its “Monthly Net Cost of Gas,” for June 2022. The total KGS Cost of Gas for June 2022 is as follows:

• $8.37 per unit – Cost of Natural Gas in June 2022 (An 83.36% increase, year-over-year) Cost of Gas in June 2021 – $4.54 per unit
• $1.12 – Cost of Hedges to protect against further steep cost increases
• $0.19 – Weather normalization adjustment
• $0.11 – Ad Valorem taxes
• $9.79 per unit in total for June 2022

The Evergy Integrated Resource Plan Update – was filed on June 10, 2022.

• Evergy updated its Integrated Resource Plan, that sets forth forecasted electric generation additions and retirements in the period 2024 through 2032.
• Evergy plans to retire a material amount of coal fired generation assets and replace those assets with additions of wind energy and solar energy.
• Irrespective of any public policy considerations that may impact this process – – for our client group, this process is likely to drive materially higher, retail electric rates in Kansas.
• This massive recasting of the electric industry in Kansas, is very concerning, to say the least.
• We need to remain in close contact with our elected state officials, and those appointed state officials with responsibility for electric resource adequacy and retail electric rates, to assure that through this process, Kansas has reliable and continuous electric service, at regionally competitive rates.  [Read More…]

A new APS vendor, Greenstaff Medical U.S., is available to help hospital members overcome nursing shortages by providing foreign-trained registered nurses qualified across a range of specialties. [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC):

On April 1 of each year, Evergy “trues up” its estimated fuel and purchased power costs, for the prior year.

Because of the likely inaccurate estimate of power fuel costs due to steeply rising natural gas costs, retail electric customers will likely pay material “true up costs” through the Evergy – “Retail Energy Cost Adjustment” clause of its KCC Tariff – – for the prior year – – beginning on April 1, 2023.

May 25, 2022, NYMEX Futures Price in Red

KGS Actual, Historical Prices in Black

May 26, 2022 NYMEX Futures in Blue

https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.settlements.html [Read More…]

APS members, Snacks on Racks has made changes to their price file, on our APS agreement, for distribution of bulk and packaged candy and snacks. Specific pricing impact may vary, based on your institution’s volume. Refer to the contract page to view pricing and other contract details.

The regulatory environment for 340B pharmacy is in a constant state of change, requiring eligible entities to be nimble and disciplined in the management of their program. Navigating the current ecosystem of 340B pricing limitations created by Big Pharma requires an understanding of the current regulatory environment. This webinar will provide insights that will support decisions that position your entity to maintain a compliant and optimized 340B pharmacy program. Register now for this informative webinar event.  [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC):

Very late Friday afternoon, the Joint Movants ( Evergy, the KCC Staff, the Citizens” Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB), and the Kansas Electric Power Cooperative (KEPCO) filed the “Joint Motion to Approve Non-Unanimous Stipulation and Agreement.”

[Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC):

In Kansas and Kansas City Metro, Evergy estimates for the coming calendar year, estimated electric generation fuel costs and purchased power costs. The estimate is “trued up” as to actual costs and volumes sold, on April 1 of each year – the “actual cost adjustment.”

The material escalation of natural gas costs over the last couple of months, will likely cause earlier estimates of electric costs, to be lower than the actual costs for 2022 – causing a material upward adjustment in electric costs on April 1, 2023 (a “catch up” of actual costs.)

Increased natural gas prices will likely drive 2 outcomes: (i) higher electric prices because of higher fuel costs of natural gas fired electric generation; and (ii) increased coal fired electric generation, to moderate / lessen the use and costs on natural gas.

Because of seasonality of wind, there is less wind energy available in the summer, as compared to the spring.

Increased natural gas costs for electric generation – NYMEX Henry Hub Futures Contract (see screen shot). End of Day – Settlement Price on NYMEX in “Blue.”

Summer prices:
May 2021 – $2.74 per MMBtu
May 2022 – $7.58 per MMBtu ($7.76 per MMBtu) ($7.82 / MMBtu)
June 2021 – $3.09 per MMBtu
June 2022 – $7.70 per MMBtu ($7.89 per MMBtu) ($7.95 / MMBtu)
July 2021 – $3.70 per MMBtu
July 2022 – $7.78 per MMBtu ($7.97 per MMBtu) ($8.04 / MMBtu)
August 2021 – $4.07 per MMBtu
August 2022 – $7.78 per MMBtu ($7.97 per MMBtu) ($8.03 / MMBtu)

Winter prices:
December 2021 – $4.50 per MMBtu
December 2022 – $8.03 per MMBtu ($8.18 per MMBtu) ($8.26 / MMBtu)
January 2022 – $4.05 per MMBtu
January 2023 – $8.13 per MMBtu ($8.30 per MMBtu) ($8.36 / MMBtu)

[Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC):

Effective immediately, Jeff Stanley, jeff.stanley@stericycle.com, will now be overseeing APS Member accounts as the National Account Manager for Shred-it. Jeff has been working within the Secure Information Destruction (SID) sector for many years, his National Account Management Experience with FMs, GPOs, and “Direct” mandated accounts. He joined Cintas in 2006, moving into Cintas Document Destruction shortly... [Read More »]

With Russia moving into Ukraine, the world is worried about the impacts on cybersecurity. Russian tactics have been known to cause collateral damage – globally. The risk is real. CISA and the FBI have published multiple alerts admonishing the private sector to prepare. Businesses, local municipalities, healthcare organizations, and supply chain organizations should pay attention... [Read More »]

APS Member hospitals now have access to a breakthrough technology that can lower energy and water costs by dramatically decreasing cooling tower water contamination. Please join us for an informative webinar to discuss the advanced open loop condenser cleaning system – ElectroCell Particle Precipitator System, offered by Managed Energy Systems.The ElectroCell Particle Precipitator System uses... [Read More »]

The APS Natural Gas Program Steering Committee has made its recommendation and awarded the Natural Gas category bid to WoodRiver Energy. The new agreement will be effective April 1, 2022. WoodRiver Energy’s proposal to APS will provide a range of natural gas solutions to fit your unique budget and operational needs. This new agreement will... [Read More »]

Upcoming Critical Insight, Cybersecurity Awareness Training: You might not know it, but you fight crime every day! When you look at spam and avoid the link, you’ve saved yourself and your company from the crooks. But the bad guys are getting better at what they do and you need to up your crimefighting game. In... [Read More »]

APS member hospitals now have access to a breakthrough technology that can lower energy and water costs by dramatically decreasing cooling tower water contamination. Managed Energy Systems is offering the ElectroCell Particle Precipitator System. [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, regarding the November 23, 2021 KCC Business Meeting – Evergy STP Order. [Read More…]

Statement of Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, on behalf of the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC): We are disappointed with today’s KCC Order, refusing to issue a Subpoena for the records of Platts Gas Daily Index.  [Read More…]

The 2021/22 winter prices for natural gas are likely to increase further. Below is the pricing table from Jim Zakoura, attorney and consumer advocate, Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered. Jim Zakoura was quoted in the following link regarding his efforts for natural gas transportation customers in Kansas and Missouri.  [Read More…]

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, has a new product offering, Bullard Salus PAPR that is designed for Healthcare. [Read More…]

The environment for 340B retail pharmacy is in a constant state of change, requiring eligible entities to be nimble and disciplined in the management of their program. Learn more of the Best Practices in Managing 340 Pharmacy. Register now for this informative webinar event.  [Read More…]

Click on the APS Catalog of Services link to learn more about APS and how we can serve you and your community!

KHA and APS would like to assist their members through the crisis of extremely high natural gas pricing. APS has engaged Jim Zakoura, Smithyman & Zakoura, Charted, to assist. They will provide a “Payment Under Protest” letter on how to proceed with short paying your bill (regardless of who your gas supplier may be), based... [Read More »]

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Readiness Rounds developed Well Screen™, an entirely automated comprehensive entrance protocol, in response to the needs of their clients who were facing new challenges with building access entrance processes, critical PPE management, and visitor management. [Read More…]

PARA HealthCare Analytics, an HFRI Company, was founded in 1985 to provide reimbursement, pricing, coding and contract management services to hospitals. [Read More…]

Longtime APS Furnishing Vendor Under New Ownership, Remains Committed to Delivering Comprehensive and Cost-Effective Solutions. [Read More…]

VitalTech, a new turnkey telehealth platform, can help APS members ensure that at-risk patients continue to receive the care they need from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The solution also creates a new revenue stream for physician groups struggling due to pandemic-related office visit and procedure cancellations.

VitalCare is a proprietary Connected Care platform that enables health systems, providers, physicians and living facilities to streamline workflows while improving health outcomes, increasing patient safety and lowering the cost of care. VitalCare is owned by VitalTech, a rapidly growing provider of fully integrated digital health solutions and smart biomedical wearables that provide real-time remote patient monitoring. For more information or a free consultation, please email info@vitaltech.com or visit their website at www.vitaltech.com. [Read More…]

Providing clean, safe, healthy facilities is more than just buying cleaning supplies and equipment. [Read More…]

APS and Voss Lighting introduce Puro and their breakthrough germicidal ultraviolet fixtures. [Read More…]

APS Workforce Solutions, a joint venture of KHA and MHA, announces their addition of a fully managed staffing service to their staffing program. [Read More…]

New Partnership Offers Discounted Lighting Products and System Design. [Read More…]

Fill Physician Vacancies Quickly with Fidelis, May 8, 2019. [Read More…]

Practical Problem-Solving for Small Hospitals and Clinics. [Read More…]

APS – Proven Solutions with Cost-Effective Care.

APS Staffing – Proven Solutions with Cost-Effective Care.