Apr, 01, 2022

State Health Updates

  • Louisiana – Louisiana Medicaid has launched a phone campaign to encourage its members to update their contact information. Automated calls will go out to members reminding them to update their phone number, mailing address and email address.
  • Minnesota – The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced the release of a new HIV Prevention, Care and Anti-Stigma social media toolkit. The campaign is a collaboration between community organizations, advocates, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The campaign and its graphic elements are a reminder that HIV-related stigma is one of the biggest barriers to getting tested and treated.
  • North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a major milestone in its innovative Healthy Opportunities Pilot program, with 10 people who are members of managed care successfully receiving a food service delivered through NC Medicaid Managed Care. The Healthy Opportunities program tests evidence-based, non-medical interventions, which are designed to improve the health of Medicaid enrollees while reducing costs.
  • New Jersey – The Murphy Administration released a detailed description of its plan to improve healthcare affordability in New Jersey through a recently-launched program aimed at addressing rising healthcare costs. The Health Care Affordability, Responsibility and Transparency (HART) Program lays out the target rate of growth for healthcare spending and explains the program’s comprehensive approach to understanding the factors that drive costs.
  • New York 
    • CMS granted approval of the state’s Medicaid Section 1115 waiver renewal for five years through March 31, 2027. CMS extended the current waiver and approved an amendment to permit dual eligibles who enroll in a Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan to stay enrolled in a mainstream Medicaid managed care plan under certain criteria.
    • Governor Kathy Hochul announced up to $50 million in available funding for school districts to improve student access to mental health resources and assist students who have experienced trauma that has impacted their education. A Request for Proposals has been issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health, who will administer the program.
  • Nevada – Governor Steve Sisolak announced the appointment of the state’s first Public Health Resource Officer, Allison Genco. Senate Bill 424, sponsored by Governor Sisolak during the 2021 Session of the Nevada Legislature, created a Public Health Resource Office that is charged with analyzing the existing public health infrastructure of the state and making recommendations related to unmet needs, opportunities for federal and private grant funding, and improved coordination between providers of public health services.
  • Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) announced an outreach campaign asking all SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) members to update their contact information and documentation. This will help the agency better understand which members will be eligible to renew their benefits at the end of the PHE.
  • South Carolina – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on March 29, 2022, that postpartum Medicaid coverage will be extended from 60 days to 12 months, effective April 22, 2022.
  • Washington – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange, the state-based marketplace, posted a draft of their 1332 waiver application seeking public comment. If approved, the waiver will provide access to federally non-subsidized health and dental coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s online insurance marketplace, to all Washington residents, regardless of immigration status, starting in plan year 2024.