This week, our In Focus section reviews publicly available data on enrollment in capitated financial and administrative alignment demonstrations (“Duals Demonstrations”) for beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (duals) in nine states: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas. Each of these states has begun either voluntary or passive enrollment of duals into fully integrated plans providing both Medicaid and Medicare benefits (“Medicare-Medicaid Plans,” or “MMPs”) under three-way contracts between the state, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the MMP. As of May 2019, approximately 372,600 duals were enrolled in an MMP. Enrollment was flat from May of the previous year.
Month: June 2019
HMA, CMCS Launch Resource for Medicaid Innovation Program
A team of HMA consultants, led by Izanne Leonard-Haak and Matt Roan, have collaborated with organizations under a Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) contract to provide support to CMCS on the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program.
Highlights from NASBO Spring 2019 Fiscal Survey of States
This week, our In Focus section section highlights some of the key findings of the Spring 2019 Fiscal Survey of States, released this month by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). The association conducted surveys of state budget officers in all 50 states from March through May 2019. The findings in the report focus on the key determinants of state fiscal health, highlighting data and state-by-state budget actions by area of spending. Below we summarize the major takeaway points from the report, as well as highlight key findings on Medicaid-specific and other health care budget items.
New Opportunities and Requirements for Integrated Managed Care Models for Medicare-Medicaid Dually Eligible Individuals Served by Health Plans
This week, our In Focus section provides a high-level overview and an analysis for how health plans should consider two related and significant policy statements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about opportunities to further integrate care for dually eligible individuals. Specifically, the CMS April 24, 2019, State Medicaid Director letter (SMDL) outlines new opportunities for states, largely working with health plans, to test models of integrated care, including opportunities to continue current financial alignment initiatives (FAIs).[i] CMS also issued final rules related to Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) definitions and requirements for Medicare-Medicaid integration activities and unified grievances and appeals for calendar year 2021.[ii] Together, these guidance documents should present greater opportunities for health plans to partner with CMS and states to integrate care for dual eligible beneficiaries.[iii]
HMA Collaborates on Connecticut HEC Initiative
The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy and Department of Public Health recently announced that the State Innovation Model (SIM) Healthcare Innovation Steering Committee has approved the Health Enhancement Community (HEC) initiative proposed framework. This blueprint is designed to build or expand collaborations across the state to improve healthy weight and physical fitness, advance child well-being, and strengthen health equity. The HEC initiative will further residents’ health and well-being by addressing both clinical need and the social determinants that impact overall health.
Texas 2020-21 Biennium Budget Overview
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Texas 2020-21 biennium budget. The Texas Legislature adjourned its biennial legislative session on May 27, 2019, after adopting a $250.6 billion budget (all funds). The total budget is 6.3 percent higher than the 2018-19 budget with an increase of $14.8 billion.