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.
Government Programs & The Uninsured
Learning from COVID-19-related flexibilities: moving toward more person-centered Medicare and Medicaid programs
This week our In Focus section reviews the issue brief and policymaker playbook that explore the outlook for temporary COVID-19-related changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, prepared in partnership with Manatt Health for The SCAN Foundation. HMA experts Jennifer Podulka, Yamini Narayan, and Keyan Javadi offer a framework to support policymakers’ decisions on the future of temporary policies and highlight specific flexibilities that are good candidates for consideration. These temporary flexibilities expanded program eligibility and enrollment, enhanced remote service delivery options, authorized care delivery in alternative care sites, and much more.
The re-envisioned role of primary care in FQHCs: accelerating APMs to drive access, patient experience and outcomes
In October 2021, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center) published a white paper outlining its strategic vision and direction of the healthcare delivery system for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through 2030. This included a focus on high-quality primary care, which they identify as the foundation of our health system, to achieve equitable, whole-person, integrated care and outcomes.
HMA Experts Lay Out Scenarios for Transitioning from COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
This week our In Focus section reviews scenarios in which the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) may expire. In the weeks ahead, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, will be faced with the decision of whether to extend the PHE or to allow it to expire. Dozens of critical waivers and coverage flexibilities are currently linked to the federal PHE and have enabled patients, providers, and payors to receive, deliver, and pay for health care for nearly two years. To date, the PHE has been extended eight times, each for the maximum allowed 90 days. However, declining COVID-19 infection rates and actions by state governors to relax COVID-19-related public health measures have renewed pressure on the Biden Administration to signal how they will choose to act on April 16, 2022 when the current federal PHE expires.
California releases Medi-Cal RFP for Two-Plan, GMC, Regional Models
This week, our In Focus section reviews the California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) managed care request for proposals (RFP) released by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on February 9, 2022. DHCS is procuring contracts for commercial plans for three of the Medi-Cal managed care plan models in 21 counties, serving approximately 3 million beneficiaries. Contracts will be awarded to one managed care organization (MCO) in each of the Two-Plan model counties, two MCOs in each of the geographic managed care (GMC) model counties, and two MCOs in each of the Regional model counties. This procurement is the largest released by California, rebidding contracts for commercial plans statewide.
Minnesota Releases Medicaid Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare RFP Covering 80 Counties Outside Twin Cities
This week our In Focus section reviews the Minnesota request for proposals (RFP) for Families and Children Medical Assistance (MA), the state’s traditional Medicaid managed care program, and MinnesotaCare, the state’s Basic Health Program (BHP), in 80 counties outside of the Twin Cities seven-county region. The RFP was released by Minnesota Department of Human Services, Purchasing and Service Delivery Division on January 18, 2022. Contracts will begin January 1, 2023, covering approximately 470,000 members.
CMS Seeks New Direction for Medicare Advantage and Part D Markets on Health Equity, Dual Eligible Integration
This week, our In Focus section highlights the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2023 and how these changes may impact plan applications, bid submissions, and market dynamics for future years. The analysis and insight reflect the combined expertise of HMA and its companies including the Wakely Consulting Group and The Moran Company.
Federal guidance provides clarity on the opportunity to include mobile crisis intervention services
HMA Federal Policy Principal Andrea Maresca, Managing Principal Gina Eckart, Principal John Volpe, and Senior Consultant Suzanne Rabideau weigh in on the recent changes and HMA experience in crisis intervention services.
MS Releases MississippiCAN, CHIP RFQ
This week, our In Focus reviews the Mississippi request for qualifications (RFQ) for the state’s traditional Mississippi Coordinated Access Network (MississippiCAN) Medicaid program and the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The RFQ, released by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid on December 10, 2021, seeks two to three health plans to serve roughly 480,000 individuals. This is the first time the state is seeking plans, which it refers to as Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), to jointly administer MississippiCAN and CHIP.
District of Columbia Releases Medicaid Managed Care RFP
This week, our In Focus section reviews the District of Columbia (DC) Medicaid managed care request for proposals (RFP), released on November 19, 2021, by the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance. The procurement will cover DC Healthy Families Program (DCHFP), including adults with special health care needs; District of Columbia Healthcare Alliance Program (Alliance); and Immigrant Children’s Program (ICP). DC expects to award contracts to up to three managed care organizations (MCOs), covering physical, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Contract approval is expected by June 2022 and implementation in October 2022.