Jun, 30, 2023

State Health Updates

  • Arizona
    • Governor Katie Hobbs signed two executive orders to ensure the state employee healthcare plan covers medically-necessary gender-affirming surgery and bars state agencies from funding, promoting, or supporting conversion therapy treatment for minors.
    • The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has opened a public comment period through August 21, 2023 to solicit input on the request for federal approval to extend Medicaid reimbursement to parents who provide caregiver services to their minor children. AHCCCS received temporary federal approval to allow for parents to be reimbursed for providing the “extraordinary care” required of them throughout the course of the pandemic.
  • Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation that enacts a series of initiatives focused on reducing healthcare costs and improving the delivery of care for Connecticut residents. Some of the major provisions include a drug discount card program which will allow Connecticut residents to receive savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand name drugs; increased transparency for high cost drug increases; expanded prohibitions on facility fees; and the requirement for the Department of Social Services to conduct an assessment to address barriers that impact health outcomes for Medicaid members.
  • District of Columbia – DC Health Link, the district’s official health insurance Marketplace, announced an extended deadline for coverage under the HealthCare4ChildCare program. The program provides employees of licensed childcare centers and homes with free or lower premium health insurance coverage.
  • Illinois
    • Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation authorizing a new State-Based Marketplace for Illinois. The Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services will work together to implement the new legislation and coordinate with all state medical assistance programs.
    • Illinois submitted an extension application for its Behavioral Health Transformation demonstration which it requests to rename the “Illinois Healthcare Transformation Demonstration.” Illinois proposes the following benefits and pilots under the demonstration extension: 1) substance use disorder (SUD) services in institutions for mental diseases; 2) SUD case management; 3) housing supports; 4) supported employment services pilot; 5) medical respite; 6) food and nutrition services; 7) violence prevention and intervention pilot; 8) non-medical transportation to needed, non-medically related services, supports, or locations; 9) justice-involved community reintegration; and 10) community reintegration.
  • Massachusetts – The Massachusetts Health Connector, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, shared an update on Medicaid redeterminations and transitions to the Heath Connector during a June 8 board of directors meeting. As of June 5, a total of 34,645 individuals were found eligible for Marketplace coverage and 7,997 individuals, or 23%, enrolled in a plan.
  • Maryland
    • The Maryland Department of Health announced non-citizen pregnant Marylanders with income up to 250% of the federal poverty level will have access to Medicaid coverage, effective July 1. The Department estimates approximately 6,000 non-citizen pregnant Marylanders will be eligible in the first year. The benefit will provide coverage during the pregnancy and four months of comprehensive coverage during the postpartum period.
    • The Maryland Department of Health announced Caring Out Loud, a year-long partnership with the Trevor Project to bring trainings, resources and support to LGBTQ+ Marylanders. The Caring Out Loud campaign will include LGBTQ+ focused training for the department’s Behavioral Health Administration staff, members of the Governor’s Commission for Suicide Prevention, and healthcare professionals across the state.
  • Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced it will extend the deadline to renew Medicaid for 35,500 people whose renewal paperwork is overdue for July 1 coverage. The state is working with the federal government to avoid ending coverage for people who may still qualify, but face barriers such as not receiving the form in the mail. As we featured in our June 23 States of Unwinding post, Michigan has also taken up this new flexibility announced by CMS.
  • Nevada – Nevada Health Link, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, Nevada Medicaid and the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services issued a press release about how the state agencies are working together to keep Nevadans insured during the unwinding. During the months of April and May, 94% of those who applied for health coverage after being transferred to the Marketplace from Medicaid were found eligible to enroll, and 74% of those who applied were additionally found eligible for financial assistance.
  • New Jersey – The New Jersey Department of Health released its annual Hospital Maternity Care Report Card which shows cesarean delivery rates have continued to drop for all delivery hospitalizations. These delivery rates have steadily improved since the release of the first report card. Disparities continue to persist among Black and Latina/o parents in New Jersey.
  • New York – New York State of Health, the state’s official health insurance Marketplace, created a webpage with information for employers on the unwinding. The webpage includes information for employers that offer insurance coverage to their employees and where to direct employees if employer-sponsored coverage is not offered. Resources include a fact sheet for employees, frequently asked questions for employers and a letter to employers on redeterminations and coverage.
  • Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania senate unanimously confirmed Michael Humphreys to serve as Insurance Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Governor Josh Shapiro nominated Humphreys, who previously served as Acting Insurance Commissioner under Governor Tom Wolf. Congratulations Mike!
  • Virginia – The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services published a list of frequently asked questions for providers about the state’s 12-months Medicaid postpartum continuous coverage, which became a permanent policy on July 1.
  • Washington – The Washington State Health Care Authority announced that the current Washington Family Planning Only (FPO) 1115 demonstration waiver has been extended one year, pending CMS review of the state’s application for a five-year renewal. FPO covers preventive family planning visits, cervical cancer screenings, and other reproductive health services. Income eligibility is 260% of the federal poverty level.
  • Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is seeking input to inform proposed changes to the Family Care and Family Care Partnership waivers. Family Care and Family Care Partnership are Medicaid long-term care programs for older adults and adults with disabilities. Together, the programs serve about 57,000 people across Wisconsin.