Emerging Strategies for Connecting Justice-Involved Populations to Medicaid Coverage and Care
On Tuesday, June 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET, State Health and Value Strategies, in partnership with Manatt Health, hosted a webinar for states that provides an overview of the opportunities available to connect justice-involved populations to Medicaid coverage and care. States are exploring opportunities to engage justice-involved populations–including juveniles and adults–in Medicaid coverage, case management and health care both immediately prior to and following their release from prison or jail. States’ interests are motivated by the high needs and high related health costs of these individuals–who are often eligible for Medicaid upon release, especially in states that have expanded Medicaid. Despite the current prohibition on drawing down federal Medicaid financing to fund health care for people while they are incarcerated, there are a number of strategies states can deploy to meaningfully connect justice-involved populations to critical coverage as well as medication and physical and behavioral health care services when re-entering the community. The webinar provided an overview of Medicaid enrollment and suspension processes to make sure an individual has active Medicaid coverage and “in-reach” planning pre-release that helps with engagement and care management post-release.
State Medicaid Buy-Ins: Key Questions to Consider
On Thursday, April 25, State Health and Value Strategies, with Manatt Health, hosted a webinar for states on six key questions that state policymakers need to consider when choosing a buy-in model, designing its features, and introducing a Medicaid buy-in program. Lawmakers across the country are considering “Medicaid buy-in” or public option programs to stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance market and offer a coverage option that is more affordable and accessible than current options in the individual and employer markets. The concept of Medicaid buy-in/public option is evolving, encompassing the original Medicaid-based proposals and extending to other programs through which states can leverage government bargaining power to offer a more affordable coverage option, like state employee health plans or a Basic Health Plan. During the webinar, speakers from Manatt Health discussed considerations related to (1) goal setting, (2) sources of cost-savings, (3) potential impacts on existing insurance markets, (4) federal 1332 waiver considerations, (5) implementation capacity, and (6) key steps for implementation. Additionally, representatives from Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington shared the status of efforts in their respective states.
Leveraging Multi-Payer Claims Databases for Value
On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, State Health and Value Strategies, in partnership with the Peterson Center on Healthcare, hosted a webinar on the ways in which several states and one community organization are using their multi-payer claims databases. More states are leveraging multi-payer claims databases to better understand how their health care systems are operating and implementing data-driven decision-making. States may not be aware, however, of the strategies other states and organizations are adopting to leverage claims databases to support health care transformation goals. During the webinar, presenters from the state of Vermont and Rhode Island, as well as the Washington Health Alliance, discussed how they are employing claims databases to enhance the value of care and will share lessons learned for those seeking to optimize their own databases.
Overview of the HHS Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for plan year 2020. The Notice proposes regulatory and financial parameters for qualified health plans on the Exchanges, plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, and self-funded group health plans. State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar for states Friday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. E.T. During this webinar, experts walked through key components of the notice and discuss potential state considerations and options for commenting on the proposed rule.
Managing Managed Care: Best Practices for Medicaid Pharmacy
On January 23, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar examining the complexities of state Medicaid oversight of the pharmacy benefit in the managed care environment. State Medicaid programs commonly rely on contracted Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and their subcontracted Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to manage the prescription drug benefit offered to Medicaid enrollees. The webinar offered states real world tips on how to best monitor and evaluate operational and financial performance of their MCOs and their subcontracted PBMs.
Medicaid Buy-In: Emerging Models and Considerations
On December 17, 2018 State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar on Medicaid buy-in proposals. Over the past year, state policy makers and advocates have expressed interest in proposals that would permit people above Medicaid eligibility levels to “buy in” to Medicaid (i.e., leverage the state’s bargaining power in some way) in order to offer more affordable and accessible coverage. During this webinar, Manatt Health discussed state considerations for developing a Medicaid buy-in proposal, evolving models of state proposals, and the administrative considerations and authorities needed for each model.
HRA Proposed Regulations: State Implications and Responses
On Wednesday, November 28, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar for state officials with technical experts to discuss the implications of the proposed health reimbursement arrangements (HRA) rule and possible state responses. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury recently released proposed regulations easing the rules governing HRA and other account-based, tax-preferred health care benefits. The webinar featured Jason Levitis, who led ACA implementation at the U.S. Treasury Department, as well as experts from Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms and from Manatt Health.
The SUPPORT Act: New Tools in Medicaid to Address the Opioid Epidemic
On November 16, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar, with technical experts from Manatt Health, on H.R. 6, The Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (the “SUPPORT Act”) which was signed into law on October 25. Most stakeholders agree that the bill is a significant step forward in addressing the opioid epidemic, reflecting a range of important policy changes such as initiatives to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), new grant, pilot and demonstration projects, and a series of changes to Medicaid and Medicare. During the webinar, experts from Manatt Health reviewed major health provisions of the new law and implications for states.
Safeguarding Financial Stability of Provider Risk-Bearing Organizations
On October 23, State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar that explored state options for regulating provider risk-bearing organizations. The push to better manage costs and improve quality is resulting in payment models that transfer financial risk and accountability from payers to providers. An increasing number of provider organizations are entering into risk-based contracts with payers where they are accepting the financial risk of care. This financial liability is often shared with payers, and maximum risk exposure is typically capped. During the webinar, technical experts from Bailit Health reviewed approaches states could take to overseeing their risk-bearing organizations and highlighted examples from states that have elected to regulate to protect against provider insolvency. Click here to access webinar slides
Examining the Public Charge Proposed Rule
On October 1, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health and Value Strategies program hosted a webinar, facilitated by experts at Manatt Health on the long-anticipated proposed rule released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on September 22. The proposed rule seeks to change how DHS determines whether immigrants—when seeking admission to the United States, an extension of their stay, or status change to become a legal permanent resident—are “likely at any time to become a public charge” (i.e., dependent on the government for financial support). Consequentially, being determined a “public charge” may put immigration status at risk. The webinar reviewed the proposed rule and its potential impacts on consumers, states and providers. Specifically, we highlighted the key ways the proposed rule departs from current guidance, with a particular focus on the implications for Medicaid and other health-related public benefits, and how the proposed rule may impact consumers’ access to certain benefits. Click here for the webinar slides.