Nebraska Hospital Association

11/28/2025

Last week, the NHA Workforce team stopped by Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center for a visit and later checked in on the progress of the afterschool Health Care Heroes Program. 🏥🩺📚

We always appreciate the chance to connect with our members and see the great work happening across Nebraska every day.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from the Nebraska Hospital Association!

Today, and every day, we are grateful for the dedicated men and women who continue to provide 24 hour a day, 7 day a week care for our communities.

11/26/2025

Medicare Advantage (MA) is failing patients and jeopardizing Nebraska's rural hospitals. Lured by lower out-of-pocket prices and shrewd sales tactics, more than half of statewide Medicare-eligible seniors are now enrolled in an MA plan. Meanwhile, more hospitals are refusing to contract with certain MA plans, citing undue financial burdens and a lower standard of care.

Nebraskans must understand their options during open enrollment. What does it really mean to sign a Medicare Advantage contract?

11/25/2025

The shift in payer mix toward MA plans has negatively impacted the financial position of 89% of Nebraska hospitals, with 35% reporting a significant negative impact. Reimbursement payments from MA plans are significantly less than those from Traditional Medicare for the same services. Almost 70% of hospitals receive more than 10% less from MA plans and over 18% receive more than 25% less.

11/24/2025

In Nebraska, 287,240 people are facing hunger - and 91,930 are children. This Thanksgiving week, it's important to remember that help is needed, and help is available.

For those struggling to afford food and those looking to support, Food Bank for the Heartland is a great resource.

Nebraska residents can call 1-855-444-5556 for food assistance, or 2-1-1 for help with emergency housing, utility assistance, additional food resources, and more. Use the interactive map found on their website to find local pantries, meal providers, and mobile pantries in your area: https://loom.ly/M93RUaQ

11/20/2025

The Nebraska Hospital Association is celebrating Rural Health Day alongside the NOSORH, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health, and rural communities across Nebraska! Together, we’re elevating the people, hospitals, and clinics that help rural communities flourish.

11/19/2025

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have long relied on extended observation stays to avoid admitting patients as inpatients -- a strategy that helps them reduce costs but shifts financial burden onto hospitals. Recent data show that this practice is worsening. In 2019, MA patients had observation stays 28.6% longer than those in Traditional Medicare. By 2024, the gap widened to 36.9%.

These prolonged observation stays drive up hospital costs without a corresponding increase in reimbursement, further straining hospital finances. Compared to inpatient admissions, observation stays are reimbursed at lower rates — or in some cases, not at all — leaving hospitals to absorb much of the cost. In 2024, MA plans reimbursed just 49% of the actual cost for patients held in observation status, according to industry benchmark data from Strata Decision Technology, LLC.

11/18/2025

Nebraska seniors need to fully understand their Medicare enrollment choices this fall. Does your plan make you wait for care or deny it? Do you have the best plan for your health care needs, budget, and location?

The Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased, and personalized counseling on Medicare to help seniors understand their options. Call 1-800-234-7119 to make your appointment.

Know the facts about Medicare Advantage and consult with your health care provider before enrolling or switching plans.

Learn more: https://loom.ly/ebbw4gk

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15.  Have questions about your Medicare options?  We can help.  Click on the Medicare Classes and Events button to view where our enrollment events will be hosted.  Call us at 1.800.234.7119 to make your appointment.    Nebraska SHIP, State Health Insura...

11/17/2025

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans now cover 54% of all Medicare eligible individuals nationwide, a sharp increase from just over a third less than a decade ago. 50% of Nebraska hospitals report that if their service area continues to experience growth in MA enrollments, they may be forced to reduce clinical services. 39% may require cutbacks in staff.

11/14/2025

This week, we gathered in Kearney, NE for our 2025 Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals & Rural Health Clinics Conference on Quality! 🏥

Across two days, participants listened in on engaging sessions and expert led presentations on topics ranging from patient safety and behavioral health to workforce development, nursing support, continuous quality improvement, and more.

We also hosted an optional pre-conference workshop and featured an awards luncheon honoring standout quality leaders from across the state.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a productive and inspiring conference!

11/12/2025

Nebraska hospitals reported some of their biggest challenges with Medicare Advantage plans are prior authorization related issues, payment delays and denials, and care denials.

93% of Nebraska hospitals report that their overall cost to comply with MA policies has increased in the last three years. Almost 87% of hospitals have incurred additional staffing costs related to MA plans, with 48% reporting a significant increase. Nearly 30% of hospitals report that MA plans force them to incur a 25% or more additional administrative cost per patient versus Traditional Medicare, with 73% reporting at least 10% more.

11/11/2025

Across Nebraska, we proudly honor the veterans who have served our country and continue to serve in health care every day. The Nebraska Hospital Association thanks you for your service to our nation and our communities. 🇺🇸