This week, our In Focus section reviews the Texas STAR+PLUS request for proposals (RFP) issued on December 4, 2017. The STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program covers approximately 519,000 individuals who have disabilities or are aged 65 or older. The program will integrate Acute Care services and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), and cover members including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) and dual eligibles. Managed care organizations (MCOs) will also provide access to behavioral health services, such as mental health and substance use disorder counseling and treatment. When fully implemented, Texas expects enrollment to be over 530,000 and annualized spending over $7.5 billion, based on FY 2018 data.
1247 Results found.
Ballot Initiative Requirements in Non-Medicaid Expansion States
This week, our In Focus section examines the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act but where citizens can initiate a public vote on the issue. In November, nearly 60 percent of Maine voters approved a ballot initiative expanding Medicaid. Advocates in Idaho, Missouri, and Utah have filed paperwork to begin collecting signatures to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot in November 2018.
HMA PCMH Experts Create 2017 Readiness Assessment Tool
This blog post was written by HMA Senior Consultant Meghan Kirkpatrick Manilla.
HMA’s Healthcare Transformation Institute (HTI) provides a venue to develop and share new innovations, experiences, and best practices across the country related to the development of community-specific integrated delivery systems, new financial strategies to incentivize value, and innovative partnerships between providers and payers to ensure quality care for its populations. Through the HTI, HMA has invested in the continued development of new approaches, tools, and resources to enhance the provision of healthcare services, with a focus on publicly-supported populations.
New CMS Guidelines to Expedite Approval of 1115 Waivers and State Plan Amendments
This week, our In Focus section reviews the new guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on expediting the approval process for Medicaid waivers and state plan amendments (SPAs) and improving quality, accessibility, outcomes, and transparency. The guidelines, titled Section 1115 Demonstration Process Improvements and State Plan Amendment and 1915 Waiver Process Improvements to Improve Transparency and Efficiency and Reduce Burden were released on November 6, 2017.
Arizona, Kansas Medicaid Managed Care RFPs Reviewed
This article was authored by HMA Senior Consultant Annie Melia and Consultant Alona Nenko.
This week, our In Focus section reviews two Medicaid managed care requests for proposals (RFPs) released on November 2, 2017. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) issued an RFP for the “Complete Care” program, which will integrate Medicaid managed care for physical and behavioral health as well as replace the state’s long-standing Acute Care Medicaid managed care program. It will cover approximately 1.5 million Medicaid members. Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Department for Aging and Disability Services issued an RFP for KanCare 2.0 Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Capitated Managed Care, which will serve approximately 403,000 members.
HMA Principal Co-Authors Health Affairs Blog on Safe and Sustainable Blood System
HMA Principal Karen Scott recently co-authored the Health Affairs blog post, A Safe and Sustainable Blood System: A Public Health Policy Imperative, along with Karen DeSalvo, Health and Human Services former Acting Assistant Secretary for Health.
Opioid Epidemic Declared a National Public Health Emergency: So, What Now?
On Thursday, President Trump announced that he will declare America’s opioid epidemic a national public health emergency. This designation came at the behest of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis’ draft interim report released in August. The opioid epidemic is now the first public health emergency since the H1N1 influenza outbreaks of 2009. The designation aims to enhance access to opioid treatment by easing federal regulations and offering states federal funding flexibility to promote telemedicine. While the official text has yet to be released, expected provisions include:
Highlights from 17th annual Kaiser/HMA 50-State Medicaid Director Survey
This week, our In Focus section reviews highlights and shares key takeaways from the 17th annual Medicaid Budget Survey conducted by Health Management Associates (HMA) and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Survey results were released on October 19, 2017, in three new reports: “Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2017 & 2018,” “Medicaid Moving Ahead in Uncertain Times: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018,” and “Putting Medicaid in the Larger Budget Context: An In-Depth Look at Three States in FY 2017 and 2018.” The reports were prepared by Kathleen Gifford, Eileen Ellis, Barbara Coulter Edwards, and Aimee Lashbrook from HMA, and by Elizabeth Hinton, Larisa Antonisse, Allison Valentine, and Robin Rudowitz from the Kaiser Family Foundation. HMA’s Dennis Roberts also contributed. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
HMA Experts Facilitate Diverse Focus Groups to Talk Healthcare
This post was originally written by HMA Managing Principal Dr. Jean Glossa and Principal Dr. Jeffrey Ring for the Solving Disparities Blog.
Thank You for Asking…
What do you get when you invite 15–20 diverse patients over to dinner to talk about their healthcare in their native language? Pure magic!
HMA Experts at 2017 NASHP and MHPA
Make sure to stop by booth 27 October 23-27 at NASHP’s 30th Annual State Health Policy Conference in Portland, OR.
Visit us at booth #27 to learn more about how HMA can help your organization. HMA Principal Carl Mercurio also will be doing live demonstrations of HMA Information Services (HMAIS).
HMA Consultants Tapped as Authors for Book About Oregon Healthcare Reforms
Health Reform Policy to Practice – Oregon’s Path to a Sustainable Health System: A Study in Innovation published by Elsevier Academic Press in August, provides a real-world example of an innovative, successful, and comprehensive Medicaid program redesign conducted by the State of Oregon. HMA colleagues Tina Edlund, Jeanene Smith, Cathy Kaufmann, and Lori Coyner were actively involved in Oregon’s healthcare reform efforts and have authored chapters on the development of Oregon’s metrics and incentive program, its patient-centered primary care medical home program, and its comprehensive system of supports for delivery system transformation.
Annual Survey Finds Medicaid Enrollment Growth Slowing, Uptick in Spending Growth
Medicaid enrollment continues to slow in FY 2017 and FY 2018; however, states project an uptick in spending in FY 2018. This is just one finding in the 17th annual 50-state Medicaid Budget Survey conducted by The Kaiser Family Foundation and in collaboration with Health Management Associates (HMA) and the National Association of Medicaid Directors.