Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data: New and Updated Information on Federal Guidance and Medicaid Data Collection Practices
Medicaid is an important source of coverage for LGBTQI+ populations, but few states collect data that can be used to understand and improve health for these individuals. This brief summarizes recent federal guidance on adding sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions to state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program applications, documents how this information is currently collected in Medicaid, and spotlights Oregon’s ongoing efforts to improve the collection of SOGI data.
Mapping Health Equity: New Tools for States
On Thursday, February 22, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar to introduce two new interactive tools: the Health Equity Impact Tool (the Impact Tool) and the Health Equity Policy Tool (the Policy Tool). The Impact Tool is a multi-part online evaluation for state agencies to examine their equity work at a high level while the Policy Tool is a framework for reviewing and evaluating the impact on equity of current or proposed policies. During the webinar, experts from Health Equity Solutions reviewed how and why the tools were created and how to use the tools to understand the scope of equity work for a state agency.
Maternal Health Providers: Enhancing Health Equity Through Payment Parity
This issue brief spotlights the opportunity to enhance health equity in maternity care through payment. The issue brief discusses the landscape of Medicaid reimbursement trends for midwifery and doula coverage and recommends strategies to enhance access to a diversity of maternal care providers through equitable reimbursement.
Protected: Affordable Health Coverage for Non-Citizen Populations
Password protected resource page for members of the Affordable Health Coverage for Non-Citizen Populations affinity group.
Health Equity Policy Tool
The Health Equity Policy Tool is a framework for reviewing and assessing the impact on equity of current and/or proposed policies. The tool is designed for state agencies and provides a template for asking key questions to assess the likelihood that a policy will promote equity or exacerbate inequities.
States Can Still Maximize Coverage Retention Through 1902(e)(14) Flexibilities
To encourage states’ take-up of unwinding-related section 1902(e)(14) waivers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension of these waivers through December 31, 2024 (or a later date approved by CMS) and offered new operational considerations and illustrative scenarios to assist states in implementing the waivers. This issue brief is intended to help states evaluate whether to take up additional section 1902(e)(14) waiver flexibilities and determine which to explore further based on emerging evidence of their effectiveness.
Collection of Self-Reported Disability Data in Medicaid Applications: A Fifty-State Review of the Current Landscape
Very little is known about people who self-identify as having a disability within the Medicaid program who are not a part of the group that qualifies for benefits through a disability-related eligibility category. This issue brief provides an overview of current disability data collection standards and documents how states are collecting self-reported disability information on their Medicaid applications.
Promoting Continuity of Coverage and Care for Children During Unwinding and Beyond
On Thursday, January 18, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar to discuss the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) recently released suite of Medicaid unwinding-related guidance that includes a focus on ensuring eligible children maintain Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. During the webinar, experts from Manatt Health reviewed high-value strategies outlined in CMS’ guidance that states can implement to promote continuity of coverage for children and discussed key considerations for state policymakers.
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs Through Medicaid Managed Care
States are increasingly leveraging their Medicaid programs to transform healthcare delivery and improve individual and population health with a focus on addressing health-related social needs (HRSN). This toolkit identifies examples of approaches states are taking through their Medicaid managed care programs to address HRSN. States interested in implementing specific strategies to identify and address HRSN can use this toolkit to develop managed care procurements or update and operationalize key contract provisions.
State Facilitated Enrollment Resources
Many states have implemented policies that take advantage of existing consumer-state interactions to help individuals enroll in healthcare coverage more easily. To assist states in their efforts, SHVS and the Urban Institute have compiled materials that states have created for their facilitated enrollment programs.