Long-Term Services and Supports

Long-Term Services and Supports

CMS Increases Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements for Section 1115(a) Medicaid Demonstrations

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This week, our In Focus reviews the implications of the new federal guidance for state waivers with community engagement, premiums, non-eligibility periods, and other personal responsibility provisions.

Background

On March 14, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several new guidance documents that significantly increase the level of monitoring and evaluation required for Section 1115(a) Medicaid Demonstrations. These new requirements apply to community engagement, premiums, and other waiver provisions that impact eligibility and enrollment, and affect states currently with such waivers as well as any states proposing these ideas.  Changes in reporting, data collection, and waiver monitoring processes will be necessary, and soon—as the materials details compliance dates for these significant new requirements.

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Minnesota Releases Medicaid Managed Care RFPs

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This week, our In Focus reviews requests for proposals (RFPs) for Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care programs: 1. Families and Children Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare; 2. Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+)/Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO). The two RFPs were released by the Minnesota Department of Human Services on February 25, 2019, with implementation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2020 for all programs.

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Medicaid Plan PMPM Rates Rise 0.3 Percent in 2018 for TANF/CHIP In 19 States, 4 Percent for Expansion, HMAIS Analysis Shows

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This week, our In Focus summarizes the findings of an HMA Information Services (HMAIS) analysis of Medicaid managed care rates in 2018 versus 2017. The analysis represents HMAIS’ first attempt at what will be an annual tracking of Medicaid managed care rate increases, which we will expand upon and refine over time with input from our readers and the Medicaid community. Complete results, including spreadsheets showing underlying analysis, will be made available to HMAIS subscribers. For information on how to subscribe, contact Carl Mercurio.

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MA Releases One Care Dual Demonstration 2.0 Request for Responses

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This week, our In Focus reviews the Massachusetts One Care Dual Demonstration 2.0 request for responses (RFR), released by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). One Care will cover Medicare and Medicaid dual eligible adults with disabilities ages 21 through 64 and includes medical, behavioral, Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS), community supports, and care management services statewide.

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Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Update – Q4 2018

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This week, our In Focus section reviews recent Medicaid enrollment trends in capitated, risk-based managed care in 29 states.[1] Many state Medicaid agencies post monthly enrollment figures by health plan for their Medicaid managed care population to their websites. This data allows for the timeliest analysis of enrollment trends across states and managed care organizations. All 29 states highlighted in this review have released monthly Medicaid managed care enrollment data into the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018. This report reflects the most recent data posted. HMA has made the following observations related to the enrollment data shown on Table 1 (below):

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HMA Experts Aid Delivery System Transformation Efforts

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Editor’s Note: This post was authored by Managing Principal Roxane Townsend, MD, and Senior Consultant Jeannine Hinton, LCSW, MHA.

HMA recently completed efforts to help the State of Louisiana and Louisiana State University (LSU) enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, a private nonprofit corporation.

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Exploring the Behavioral Health Independent Practice Association in an Era of Managed, Value-based Care

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Editor’s Note: HMA Principals Karen Batia, David Bergman, Meggan Schilkie and Senior Consultants Meghan Manilla and Nicola Pinson contributed to this post. 

Across the country, behavioral healthcare is stretched thin and access to specialty care is a challenge. As value-based payment makes its way to the forefront, more than ever government entities, providers, payers and community-based organizations are exploring new avenues to meet shifting priorities and the requirements that accompany them.

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Proposed Policy Changes Affecting Health Reimbursement Arrangements

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This week, our In Focus section comes to us from HMA Senior Consultant Ryan Mooney (Austin), who reviewed the proposed rule on Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). On October 29, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services published a proposed rule (83 FR 54420), the purpose of which is to expand the use of HRAs. An HRA is an employer-supported account that helps employees pay for qualified medical expenses not covered by their health plans. The proposed rule is the latest component of the President’s Executive Order 13813, which directed the federal government to expand and facilitate access to association health plans, short-term and limited-duration insurance products, and HRAs. 

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