This week, our In Focus section reviews highlights and shares key takeaways from the 21st annual Medicaid Budget Survey conducted by The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and 黑料网 (HMA). Survey results were released on October 27, 2021, in two new reports: States Respond to COVID-19 Challenges but Also Take Advantage of New Opportunities to Address Long-Standing Issues: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 and Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2021 & 2022. The report was prepared by聽Kathleen Giff颅ord,聽Aimee Lashbrook, and Sarah Barth from HMA; Mike Nardone; and by Elizabeth Hinton, Madeline Guth, Lina Stolyar, and Robin Rudowitz from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD).
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New issue brief recommends strategic shifts for CMMI鈥檚 future: insights on Medicare innovation, balancing goals, and enhancing model success
This week, our In Focus highlights a recent issue brief, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation: Recommendations for Future Direction, revisits questions raised in a previous HMA report and offers potential answers to guide progress and changes for demonstrations within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services鈥� (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) or the Innovation Center.
2022 Star Ratings, An Historical Year
This week, our In Focus provides an analysis of 2022 Medicare Advantage (MA) Star Ratings, including a look at how regulatory changes during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a record number of Medicare plans receiving historically high scores. HMA Managing Director Anthony Davis and Principal Sarah Owens rely on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to take a deep dive into ratings for nearly 500 Medicare plans serving 26.8 million members.
Medicaid managed care enrollment update 鈥� Q2 2021
This week, our In Focus section reviews recent Medicaid enrollment trends in capitated, risk-based managed care in 33 states.[1] Many state Medicaid agencies post monthly enrollment figures by health plan for their Medicaid managed care population to their websites. This data allows for the timeliest analysis of enrollment trends across states and managed care organizations. All 33 states highlighted in this review have released monthly Medicaid managed care enrollment data into the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020. This report reflects the most recent data posted. HMA has made the following observations related to the enrollment data shown on Table 1 (below):
New Jersey outlines five-year vision in latest 1115 waiver renewal draft
This week, our In Focus reviews the the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) draft proposal for the renewal of its 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration Waiver, released on September 10, 2021. The waiver was initially approved and implemented in October 2012. This demonstration is in its second five-year period and is slated to expire on June 30, 2022.
Texas releases STAR Health draft RFP, seeks input on STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids ACO
This week, our In Focus reviews the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) draft request for proposals (RFP) for Texas STAR Health, the state鈥檚 Medicaid managed care program for foster care kids. The state is also seeking public input for the STAR+PLUS and STAR Kids Accountable Care Organization (ACO) programs, in anticipation of the reprocurement of these Medicaid managed care programs.
HMA launches novel Project ECHO for MOUD in county jails
Aimed at shifting and improving the delivery of addiction treatment within county jails, 黑料网 (HMA) will partner with the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (W/B HIDTA) and Fairfax County Sheriff鈥檚 Office to deliver a novel Project ECHO clinic. Funded by W/B HIDTA to support county jails in their region, the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in County Jails ECHO Clinic will provide participants with HMA training specifically focused on initiating or expanding the use of MOUD within their facilities. The project will broaden county knowledge and understanding of MOUD and its place in the criminal justice system, increase the use of MOUD with evidence-based and emerging promising practices, and promote a culture that supports MOUD in jails.
Medicaid non-emergency transportation benefit: trends and innovations from stakeholders
This week, our In Focus section reviews key takeaways from the report, Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation Benefit: Stakeholder Perspectives on Trends and Innovations, prepared by 黑料网 (HMA) for the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC).
Arizona Releases Competitive Contract Expansion (CCE) RFP
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Competitive Contract Expansion (CCE) request for proposals (RFP), released on August 4, 2021. The procurement will expand the current AHCCCS Complete Care (ACC) Medicaid contracts to include responsibilities as an ACC Contractor (health plan) with a Regional Behavioral Health Agreement (ACC-RBHA). At least one incumbent Medicaid ACC Contractor will be selected in each of the state鈥檚 three Geographic Service Areas (GSAs). The responsibilities will include management of:
Senate infrastructure bill impacts U.S. healthcare system, Leavitt Partners analysis shows
President Biden and Senator Majority Leader Schumer have been pursuing a two-track strategy to advance major policy objectives in 2021. The first track, the bipartisan 鈥淚nfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,鈥� passed the Senate 69-30. Attention now turns to the House, where Speaker Pelosi has indicated she will not consider the bill until the Senate passes a Democratic-only reconciliation bill 鈥� which is the second track in Democrats鈥� policy strategy. While the Senate vote reflects a major bipartisan milestone, the bill still faces a trip through the House of Representatives before it gets to President Biden鈥檚 desk.
HMA prepares issue briefs exploring MLTSS impacts on state Medicaid programs
This week, our In Focus section highlights a recent pair of reports prepared for . HMA colleagues examined the impact of managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) in state Medicaid programs. The first report, Growth in MLTSS and Impacts on Community-Based Care, examines the historical increase in the adoption of LTSS by state Medicaid programs and how that has contributed to a shift in long-term care from institutions to the community. The second report, Managed LTSS Improves Quality of Care, describes the evidence on the impact of managed LTSS in state Medicaid programs on the quality of care.
Vermont proposes risk-bearing, state-run Medicaid managed care entity
This week our In Focus section reviews Vermont鈥檚 Global Commitment to Health Section 1115 waiver renewal application. In the proposed five-year demonstration extension, Vermont seeks to move the Medicaid population to a new a risk-bearing public, state-run managed care organization (MCO). Under the arrangement, the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) would transition into the new entity and accept capitated risk for the state鈥檚 Medicaid population, covering physical and mental health, pharmacy services, substance use disorder (SUD) services, and long-term services and supports (LTSS) beginning January 1, 2022.