Webinars | Oct 9, 2015

Webinar: Improving Care for Medicaid Beneficiaries Experiencing Homelessness

State Health and Value Strategies

In recent years, a growing number of people who are experiencing homelessness have become Medicaid beneficiaries, and many are enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans. State Medicaid agencies, health plans, and providers can improve care for homeless beneficiaries with complex needs, while also controlling costs, by identifying these members and making connections with permanent supportive housing and other resources in the homeless assistance system.

On October 8, SHVS hosted a webinar, introducing a new issue brief and toolkit for states and featuring presentations by a panel of experts from a state Medicaid agency, a Medicaid managed care plan, and a Medicaid provider – all working to link Medicaid services with housing to improve care for homeless Medicaid beneficiaries.

Expert panelists:

• Carol Wilkins, consultant and author of issue brief
• Hannah Katch, California Department of Health Care Services
• Catherine Anderson, United Healthcare
• Julie Grothe, Guild Incorporated



Expert Perspectives

The No Surprises Act: Implications for States

In the waning days of 2020, Congress enacted a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and government funding bill (H.R. 133). Included in the measure is the “No Surprises Act”, which contains new protections for consumers from surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers. The new law establishes, for the first time, comprehensive protections in the states without their own balance billing laws and for the nearly 135 million people in self-insured plans beyond the reach of state regulators. This expert perspective summarizes provisions that have particular implications for state regulators.

January 7, 2021

The State of Play: Public Option at the Federal and State Level and What to Expect in 2021

Faced with significant premium fluctuation and the risk of “bare counties”, many policy stakeholders have turned to the public option as a potential tool to promote stability and affordability in the individual insurance market. Since 2017, nearly a dozen states have considered or passed legislation to study or implement a state-based public option program. Additionally, the 2020 election and transition to a new federal administration marks a pivotal point for state policymakers with interest in fostering new coverage options. An incoming Biden Administration’s support for state innovation will create new state-based coverage opportunities, even as major federal legislation is unlikely under a divided Congress. This expert perspective provides a brief overview of selected states efforts to implement a public option and highlights what to expect in a federal policy environment.