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):
1814 Results found.
HMA Conducts Multi-Layered Study to Address Alarming Youth Suicide Trends Across Colorado
On January 3, 2019, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman released the study, Community Conversations to Inform Youth Suicide Prevention. The multi-layered study, conducted by HMA, analyzes and characterizes the trends and patterns in the fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among young people in the four Colorado counties with the highest rates of youth suicide: El Paso, La Plata, Mesa, and Pueblo. The purpose of the study was to determine the best strategies for addressing and preventing youth suicide in Colorado and to see where the state’s efforts and dollars can be used most effectively.
Report conducted by HMA addresses alarming youth suicide trends across Colorado
On January 3, 2019, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman released the study, Community Conversations to Inform Youth Suicide Prevention. The multi-layered study, conducted by HMA, focused on the four Colorado counties with the highest youth suicide rate.
HMA designed a multi-pronged strategy to the study with the goal of learning about opportunities and approaches to youth suicide prevention in each of the four counties, and across Colorado. The team conducted 42 stakeholder interviews and also facilitated 34 focus groups with adults and youth from various communities and sectors. For comparison, focus groups were also conducted with school staff and parents in two counties, where youth suicide rates were lower and/or there had not been recent suicide clusters.
HMA also reviewed information about current suicide prevention activities and resources, traditional and social media coverage related to suicide, and publicly available information on school policies and procedures related to suicide prevention and postvention in the aftermath of a student suicide or suicide attempt.
Key findings:
Risk factors attributing to youth suicide:
- Pressure and anxiety about failing
- Social media and cyber bullying
- Lack of pro-social activities
- Lack of connection to a caring adult
- Judgement and lack of acceptance in the community.
- Substance use, mental health disorders and trauma history
- Adult suicides in the community
Barriers to suicide prevention:
- Not enough resources to effectively implement youth suicide prevention, intervention and postvention activities
- Each county faces lack of resources and funding for public health and social services programs
- Lack of equitable distribution of resources across agencies
- Lack of mental health providers in these communities who accept Medicaid
- Communities with more mental health resources have few providers who are trained to work with youth or the providers only accept adults
- Stigma associated with seeking help
- Stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals limits the places and resources from which those individuals seek help
HMA Experts Contribute to Report on Health Disparities in Minnesota’s Medicaid Population
Editors Note: This post was authored by HMA Principal Ellen Breslin, MPP.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently submitted a report to the Minnesota Legislature, called Accounting for Social Risk Factors in Minnesota Health Care Program Payments. This report represents a multi-year effort on the part of DHS, and a real step forward in moving from social risk as a concept to a quantifiable methodology to explain its impact on health. The report delivers DHS recommendations to reduce health disparities among Medicaid and other DHS program participants.
Spending and Utilization of Part B Medicines in 2012 and 2017
The Moran Company conducted an analysis to examine the spending and utilization of medicines covered by Medicare Part B in 2012 and 2017.
HMA Experts Aid Delivery System Transformation Efforts
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.
Exploring the Behavioral Health Independent Practice Association in an Era of Managed, Value-based Care
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.
Medicaid Expansion Considerations For Non-Expansion States
This week, our In Focus section is led by Matt Powers, a Principal in our Chicago office, who worked with HMA colleagues to summarize the factors that non-expansion states weigh when considering whether or not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Including the states where Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives passed, 37 states have chosen Medicaid expansion or are moving toward Medicaid expansion. More than 12 million newly eligible individuals are insured by state Medicaid programs through the expansion. Comments on recent ACA Court Ruling: