As efforts continued at the beginning of 2022 to implement the No Surprises Act aimed at preventing surprise medical bills that patients are often unable to pay, the Kaiser Family Foundation published a report that estimates nearly one in 10 adults have medical debt, and that Americans’ total medical debt could be as high as $195 billion. About a week later the nation’s top three debt collection firms announced planned changes to medical debt practices designed to reduce the strain of medical debt on patients and appease a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that has made credit reporting and medical debt a priority. Less than a month later, the Biden Administration announced several initiatives aimed at alleviating issues related to medical debt for Americans.
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The PHE is continuing—what’s next for Medicaid?
On May 16, 2022, no announcements were made concerning the impending end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration. What does this mean for state Medicaid programs and stakeholders, including consumers? When will the PHE declaration expire?
KFF predicts Medicaid implications of end of PHE
This week, our In Focus reviews the Kaiser Health Foundation (KFF) analysis, Fiscal and Enrollment Implications of Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement During and After the PHE Ends, published on May 10, 2022.
CMS hospital inpatient rule proposes novel methods for calculating 2023 payment rates
This week, our In Focus section reviews the policy changes included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Proposed Rule (CMS-1771-P). This year’s IPPS Proposed Rule includes several important policy changes that will alter hospital margins and change administrative procedures, beginning as soon as October 1, 2022.
HMA conference on “The New Normal for Medicaid, Medicare, and Other Publicly Sponsored Programs” to feature insights from health plan leaders, state Medicaid directors, and providers
Pre-Conference Workshop: October 9, 2022
Conference: October 10-11, 2022
Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
HMA Conference on the New Normal for Medicaid, Medicare, and Other Publicly Sponsored Programs to Feature Insights from Health Plan Leaders, State Medicaid Directors, Providers
Early Bird registration is now open for HMA’s fifth national conference on trends in publicly sponsored healthcare. Early Bird Registration Ends July 11th.
Nebraska releases Medicaid managed care RFP
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Nebraska Heritage Health request for proposals (RFP), released by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on April 15, 2022. DHHS will award statewide contracts to two or three Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to serve approximately 342,000 individuals. Implementation is set to begin July 1, 2023. Contracts are currently worth $1.8 billion annually.
The family glitch and changes to premium tax credit eligibility
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Biden Administration’s proposed rule revising eligibility standards for premium subsidies for families, released on April 5, 20221. The proposed rule would “fix” the family glitch and, therefore, dramatically increase the number of people eligible for premium tax credits. This brief describes what the regulation would do and the implications for the individual market.
Illinois action plan highlights HMA substance use disorder program
As part of an overall state strategy to reduce overdose deaths, Illinois recently released the State Overdose Action Plan (SOAP) that includes a key substance use disorder (SUD) program developed by HMA.
Texas Releases STAR+PLUS RFP
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Texas STAR+PLUS managed care services request for proposals (RFP) released on March 31, 2022, by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The STAR+PLUS program, including the STAR+PLUS Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) program, provides acute care services and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) to the aged and disabled.
2022 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference Set for April 21
Senior healthcare leaders from across Michigan will convene at the Lansing Center for the 2022 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference on April 21 to discuss health policy and topical issues across the spectrum of care. The day-long event, which kicks off at 9 a.m., will feature more than 60 speakers and 19 different sessions.
President’s budget recommends significant investments in unity agenda issues
This week, our In Focus section reviews President Biden’s budget proposal for federal fiscal year 2023, released on March 28, 2022. The President’s proposal kicks off the Congressional budget process and negotiations on the annual spending bills for the federal fiscal year that starts October 1, 2022. The budget proposal highlights the Administration’s program initiatives and recommended legislative and regulatory changes. The President’s budget is merely a request of Congress, who drafts the actual budget resolution that will go into effect if passed.