Dec, 02, 2022

State Health Updates

  • California – The California Department of Health Care Services submitted an amendment to the CalAIM demonstration, proposing to implement changes to county-based plan models in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Program. The state is proposing to limit choice of managed care plans in metro, large metro, and urban counties in order to allow counties to participate in County Organized Health System or Single Plan managed care models. In order to maximize continuity of care and minimize member disruption, the state proposes to limit plan choice during the transition period and following the implementation of the models on January 1, 2024.
  • Colorado – A new program, OmniSalud, provides subsidized coverage options for people who are undocumented or DACA recipients. Since November 1, more than 5,700 people have used the program to enroll in a health insurance plan, and approximately 5,600 of those who have enrolled so far have qualified for state-funded financial help that reduces the cost of plans to $0.
  • Connecticut – Access Health CT Small Business announced it will waive the minimum number of employees typically required to enroll in a small group health insurance plan now through December 15. Small businesses can enroll in a group health insurance plan at any time of the year; however, they usually need a certain percentage of employees to participate in the plan. During this period, any small business with 50 or fewer employees in Connecticut can enroll in a group health insurance plan regardless of how many employees participate.
  • Delaware – The Delaware Division of Public Health announced the launch of a multimedia fentanyl campaign that targets youth, ages 14 through 25. The campaign aims to inform youth about what fentanyl is and that fentanyl can be found in various illicit drugs.
  • Michigan
    • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is preparing to launch the MDHHS Doula Initiative in 2023, to begin reimbursing for doula services provided to Medicaid enrollees. In preparation for the launch, MDHHS is seeking applications for the Michigan Doula Advisory Council to inform the advancement of doula services. Applications must be submitted on or before December 15.
    • MDHHS announced a new effort to provide children in the state foster care and juvenile justice systems experiencing a behavioral health crisis with expanded access to services. MDHHS is asking congregate care providers to submit plans for placement in their facilities to address the needs of youth who must access mental health stabilization programs—meaning services to stabilize and treat youth dealing with serious mental health concerns, like suicidal thoughts. The department has issued a statewide request for proposals for new child-caring institution contracts and will begin implementing the new contracts in summer 2023.
  • Nebraska – To better serve Nebraskans living with mental and behavioral health issues, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working to align focus areas to improve access to services cross-divisionally within DHHS. The four focus areas where DHHS will begin include: certified community behavioral health clinics, congregate healthcare settings, a standardized assessment to identify community-based support for individuals housed at Lincoln Regional Center, and level 1 screenings to document an individual’s potential disabilities or needs.
  • New Jersey
    • Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that establishes 12 months continuous Medicaid eligibility for Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees. The bill additionally requires that the Commissioner of Human Services determine the means and method by which the annual eligibility redeterminations are to be conducted. Before passage of the legislation, New Jersey statute did not specify the frequency with which Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare eligibility redeterminations occurred.
    • The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance announced the release of a study on access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare that found a need for regulatory action to require coverage for abortion services under health benefits plans regulated by the department, and has begun the formal rulemaking process to implement the requirement. The department performed this study as part of the implementation of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act signed by Governor Phil Murphy earlier this year, which codifies the constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice in New Jersey.  
  • New York
    • Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $3.3 million to community-based healthcare providers that will increase access to mental health services for children and families across the state. Administered through the state Office of Mental Health, the federal funding is aimed at helping community-based service providers better serve children and youth who are dually diagnosed with mental illness and a developmental disability or substance use disorder. The grants are partly funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
    • Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Adrienne A. Harris issued a mandatory request for information to health insurers to understand the scope and impact of their programs aimed at reducing health disparities. DFS is requesting information and documentation on race/ethnicity and language data collection efforts, health equity programs, and related workforce initiatives. This RFI will allow DFS to establish a foundation from which to build thoughtful, data-driven policies moving forward and evaluate the full impact of existing programming across the entire industry to ensure better outcomes for all New Yorkers.
  • North Carolina
    • The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released an updated North Carolina Dental Opioid Action Plan to provide clear steps and solutions for dentists and their staff, patients, families and communities to address the opioid epidemic. The state action plan represents the work of the Dental Opioid Workgroup which includes representatives from the North Carolina Dental Society, public health, dental specialty providers and multiple state and local partners.
    • NCDHHS launched a new website design in an effort to improve how the Department connects with people across the state. The new design highlights NCDHHS’ three strategic priorities: investing in behavioral health and resilience; supporting child and family well-being; and building a strong and inclusive workforce.
  • Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority released a request for proposals for the state’s SoonerSelect Children’s Specialty Program, which covers medical, behavioral, and pharmacy services for current and former foster children, justice-involved children, and children receiving adoption assistance. The state intends to award one contract, effective October 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with five, one-year renewal options.
  • Oregon
    • The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) submitted an amendment to its Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration requesting to temporarily expand Oregon Health Plan (OHP) coverage to certain individuals with income from 138 to 200% of the federal poverty level currently enrolled in OHP. The amendment would allow those currently enrolled in OHP under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to maintain enrollment until the state has established a Basic Health Care Program. The state is requesting that this amendment be effective on the first day of the month following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The federal comment period will be open from November 30, 2022 to December 30, 2022.
    • OHA released a new report, which finds that the growth of healthcare costs in the commercial market in Oregon between 2013 and 2019 was largely due to price increases. In contrast, the growth of healthcare costs in Oregon’s Medicaid and Medicare Advantage markets was driven by increased utilization, or the number of services provided to patients.
  • Washington – The Washington Department of Health announced the launch of the Native and Strong Lifeline, which launches as part of the state’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Native and Strong Lifeline is dedicated to serving American Indian and Alaska Native people. Calls are answered by Native crisis counselors who are Tribal members and descendants closely tied to their communities. They are fully trained in crisis intervention and support, with special emphasis on cultural and traditional practices related to healing.