Jul, 27, 2021

State Health Updates

  • California – The Department of Health Care Services notified county agencies that it received approval from the federal government to extend time-limited Refugee Medicaid Assistance Medi-Cal benefits to eligible refugees, asylees, federally certified victims of human trafficking, and other entrants who are not eligible to receive Title XIX Medi-Cal benefits. Medi-Cal coverage in the Refugee Medical Assistance program is extended until September 30, 2021.
  • Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Health is developing competitive procurements for qualified companies to serve as single benefit managers for its Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and pharmacy benefit (PBM) programs. LDH is seeking input from the public on the NEMT and PBM programs to inform the procurements.
  • Maine – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the provision of behavioral health services, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is issuing one-time supplemental payments to help offset lost revenue for certain behavioral health services. Payments are proportionate to revenue loss experienced during the pandemic and are calculated by comparing provider revenue for behavioral health services from a baseline period six months prior to the pandemic to revenue for the same six months during the pandemic.
  • Maryland – The Maryland Department of Health submitted a renewal application to CMS to extend the HealthChoice Section 1115 demonstration through December 31, 2026. The proposed renewal application aims to modify three demonstration programs: (1) Assistance in Community Integration Services Pilot Program; (2) Home Visiting Services Pilot Program; and (3) the Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorder program. In addition, the renewal will add three new programs: (1) Emergency Triage, Treatment, and Transport Model; (2) Expansion of IMD for SMI population; and (3) the Material Opioid Model program.
  • Missouri – The Missouri Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that found a voter-approved constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid was invalid. The judges unanimously ruled that a ballot measure voters approved last August only requires that Medicaid be expanded under the Affordable Care Act and does not force the state legislature make a new appropriation, which would have been unconstitutional. The decision returns the case to the lower court to determine next steps.
  • North Carolina
    • The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging (PTRC AAA) to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to people with limited mobility who cannot leave their home. The new initiative expands PTRC AAA’s local at-home vaccination program to communities across the state. The At-Home Vaccination Hotline at 1-866-303-0026 allows caregivers, providers and individuals across North Carolina to schedule an at-home vaccination. An online registration form is also available. A PTRC Vaccination Specialist then follows up to schedule an at-home vaccination.
    • NCDHHS announced that the state’s five Medicaid prepaid health plans have joined NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources. The plans will use the platform to coordinate whole-person care, promote health equity and address the social drivers that influence their members’ health.
  • Oregon
    • The state submitted a five year demonstration extension request to CMS seeking authority to provide Medicaid family planning services to eligible men and women of childbearing age who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid, have a household income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, may not have insurance, and/or are not able to use their available insurance to meet their reproductive health care needs. The federal public comment period is open through August 22, 2021.
    • The Oregon Health Authority released its annual Oregon Hospital Payment report as an online dashboard, which has been updated with 2019 data. The report details the median amounts paid by commercial insurers for the most common inpatient and outpatient procedures performed in Oregon hospitals in 2019 and the median prices on 115 procedures that account for over $1.2 billion in payments to hospitals. Among these procedures, 79 of the 115 saw increases in median prices, while 32 procedures saw prices fall and four stayed the same.
  • Wisconsin – The Department of Health Services is co-hosting visits to home lead abatement projects to raise awareness of childhood lead poisoning and what can be done to prevent it. The DHS Lead Policy Advisor is visiting homes with active lead abatement projects to highlight the work of local public health departments, community partners, and contractors who work together to prevent childhood lead poisoning.