This week, our In Focus section reviews Texas’ biennial legislative appropriations request (LAR) for fiscal years 2020-21, submitted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The document, which totals 1358 pages, includes summary program data as well as budget breakouts by agency strategies, priorities, and source of funds.
Behavioral Health
New Hampshire Medicaid Care Management Draft RFP
This week, our In Focus reviews the New Hampshire Medicaid Care Management (MCM) Services Draft request for proposals (RFP), released by the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on July 9, 2018. The MCM program, worth $750 million in annualized spending, will provide full-risk, fully capitated Medicaid managed care services to approximately 181,000 beneficiaries from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024. The final RFP is expected August 10, 2018.
Benefit Options for the Medicaid Expansion Population: Alternative Benefit Plans and the Medically Frail
This week, our In Focus section highlights HMA Medicaid Market Solutions (MMS) which is supporting state flexibility in designing and implementing initiatives, including Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers, promoting member engagement, and personal responsibility. Over the coming weeks, HMA MMS will present a series of articles providing an in-depth look at the facets of these new Medicaid models.
Registration Open for HMA Conference on the Rapidly Changing World of Medicaid
HMA Conference on the Rapidly Changing World of Medicaid to Feature Insights from 30-Plus Speakers, Including Health Plan CEOs, State Medicaid Directors, Providers
Pre-Conference Workshop: Sept. 30
Conference: Oct. 1-2
Location: The Palmer House, Chicago
Health Management Associates is proud to announce its third annual conference on trends in publicly sponsored health care: The Rapidly Changing World of Medicaid: Opportunities and Pitfalls for Payers, Providers and States.
MLTSS Implementation Plans in North Carolina and New Hampshire
This week, our In Focus reviews two recently released papers outlining North Carolina’s and New Hampshire’s plans to implement Medicaid managed care long-term services and supports (MLTSS). The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released “North Carolina’s Vision for Long-term Services and Supports under Managed Care” on April 5, 2018, and is accepting comments through April 27. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services released its “Implementation Plan for Medicaid Care Management – Nursing Facility/Choices for Independence Services” on March 6, 2018, and is accepting comments through May 4, 2018. Both states are anticipated to release requests for proposals (RFPs) for integrated Medicaid managed care services in the next several months.
Four HMA Behavioral Health Experts Speaking at NatCon18
The National Council for Behavioral Health Conference, held April 23-25, will host more than 5,000 leaders in healthcare. Attendees will explore healthcare’s greatest innovations in practice improvement, financing, integrated health care, technology, policy and advocacy, and professional development. Four HMA behavioral health experts will be speaking at NatCon18.
Alabama Integrated Care Network Program
This week, our In Focus section reviews Alabama’s Integrated Care Network (ICN) program, based on a concept paper released by the Alabama Medicaid Agency in March 2018. The ICN program will establish a new Medicaid long-term care program focusing on a person-centered approach to care delivery using the Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) Entity delivery model, with implementation expected on October 1, 2018.
HMA Kicks off 2018 National Public Health Week with a Focus on Behavioral Health
National Public Health Week is April 2-8 with each business day dedicated to a leading public health issue. Monday, April 2 is focused on behavioral health, a topic historically left to human services agencies focused on treatment and intervention. HMA’s work in healthcare and delivery system reform is well known, but HMA is also engaged in public health projects and work focused on the intersection of public health and behavioral health.
Roles and Responsibilities in a Value Based Payment World
This week, our In Focus section, written by HMA Principal Denise Soffel, reviews New York’s Medicaid Redesign Team Structural Roadmap: Roles and Responsibilities in a Value Based Payment World, released by the state’s Department of Health on March 19, 2018.
New York is committed to the transformation of its health care delivery system. Its Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program envisions a significant shift to community-based care, a more integrated delivery system, and a shift to value-based payment. A new document, released in draft form for public comment, lays out an ambitious objective: “New York seeks to make health care a team sport. The State seeks to forever banish the traditional silos that made care navigation for patients difficult and in some cases impossible.” (p. 13)
SNP Provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
This week’s In Focus section reviews the recent Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (the Act), which adopts policies aimed at improving care for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions, including individuals dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible individuals). The Act provides new authority to the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office (Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office or MMCO), which serves dual eligible individuals, and will help accelerate its goals of providing full access to seamless, high quality health care and a system that is as cost-effective as possible.[i] The Act also includes several provisions that have an impact on Medicare Advantage (MA) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs). These provisions and their implications for D-SNPs and Medicare-Medicaid integration strategies follow.