In its June report to Congress, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission considers oversight of managed care directed payments and examines Medicaid's role in advancing health equity.
view more »CMS Releases New Medicaid Tool: Top 10 Ways to Unwind
June 14, 2022 ||The tool compiles existing guidance to help states prepare to return to regular Medicaid operations after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
view more »CMS Outlines Behavioral Health Care Strategy
June 7, 2022 ||The agency's strategy to strengthen behavioral health care focuses on improving access, equity, quality, and data integration.
view more »Four States Expand Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
May 27, 2022 ||CMS on May 25 approved proposals in four states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year after birth.
view more »A new advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, calls for a whole-of-society approach to protect and support health workers facing burnout.
view more »CMS Launches New Medicaid, CHIP Renewal Webpage
May 24, 2022 ||The webpage includes renewal instructions for eligible beneficiaries and guidance for ineligible beneficiaries to secure insurance through the marketplaces.
view more »Colorado Mandates Hospital Staffing Plans
May 24, 2022 ||A new Colorado law mandates that each hospital form a staffing committee and report its annual master nurse staffing plan to the health department.
view more »A new CMS resource highlights federal requirements for program renewals, verifications, applications, and oversight amid the anticipated COVID-19 public health emergency unwinding.
view more »New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Live in July
May 23, 2022 ||The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1.800.273.8255, will transition to 988 on all devices on July 16.
view more »Association Comments on HHS Climate Strategy Plan Outline
May 22, 2022 ||The association urged HHS to provide funding, educate stakeholders, and build capacity to execute the 2022 Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan.
view more »COVID-19: Post-PHE Planning; Pediatric Booster Authorized
May 17, 2022 ||HHS urges governors to start planning for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency; FDA authorizes a Pfizer booster vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
view more »New Climate Resilience and Emissions Reduction Resources
May 16, 2022 ||New HHS initiatives focus on climate change, health equity, and the role health care stakeholders can play in promoting climate resilience.
view more »2023 Marketplace Benefit and Payment Parameters Finalized
May 3, 2022 ||The final rule raises the essential community provider threshold from 20 to 35 percent and uses wait time standards to evaluate qualified health plans for network adequacy.
view more »Leveraging Section 1115 Demonstrations to Drive Equity in Medicaid
April 29, 2022 ||In a white paper, the association encourages CMS to develop policies that reduce disparities and incorporate equity into waiver approval and evaluation processes.
view more »HHS Launches Pledge to Reduce Health Care Emissions
April 25, 2022 ||Hospitals and other industry stakeholders are invited to pledge by June 3 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their climate resilience.
view more »Association Comments on Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
April 25, 2022 ||America's Essential Hospitals generally supports the tool, as it will direct investments to target several social determinants of health, but recommended the tool show aggregate data at the state and county levels.
view more »CMS Opens Federal IDR Portal
April 19, 2022 ||The independent dispute resolution process can be initiated to resolve payment disputes between health care providers and issuers.
view more »Association Comments on Medicaid Access
April 19, 2022 ||The association made recommendations on payment rates, workforce development, eligibility and enrollment policies, and measuring access to hospital services.
view more »CMS Issues FAQs on Surprise Billing, Good Faith Estimates
April 11, 2022 ||Two new documents provide guidance for health care providers on No Surprises Act compliance and good faith estimates for uninsured or self-pay patients.
view more »State Legislation to Protect Health Care Workers from Threats
April 11, 2022 ||New laws in Wisconsin and Utah criminalize threats against health care workers, while other state legislatures consider similar bills.
view more »New Tools for Medicaid Fair Hearings, PHE Unwinding
April 8, 2022 ||CMS shares tools to mitigate an anticipated increase in Medicaid fair hearing requests and resume normal operations after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
view more »MACPAC Issues Annual DSH Analysis
March 21, 2022 ||In its March report to Congress, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission examines the relationship between Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments, uncompensated care costs, and services for low-income, uninsured populations.
view more »CMS Releases PHE Unwinding Guidance for Medicaid Renewals
March 8, 2022 ||A State Health Official letter includes guidance for states to prepare for the COVID-19 public health emergency unwinding and return to regular Medicaid program operations.
view more »Federal Judge Strikes Down Key Portion of Surprise Billing Rule
March 8, 2022 ||The court ruled the qualifying payment amount should not be the main factor in determining payment for out-of-network services in independent dispute resolution.
view more »CMS Seeks Information on Medicaid, CHIP Access to Care and Coverage
Feb. 18, 2022 ||Through a request for information, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hopes to better understand enrollees' barriers to coverage and access to care to inform future policies and regulatory actions. A 60-day public comment period began Feb. 17.
view more »14.5M Americans Enroll in Marketplace Coverage
Jan. 31, 2022 ||An estimated 5.8 million people newly gained coverage during this open enrollment period; 32 percent of consumers using the federal marketplace selected a plan that costs them $10 or less per month. Enrollment remains open through Jan. 31 in five states and the District of Columbia.
view more »CMS to Award $49M to Increase CHIP, Medicaid Enrollment
Jan. 31, 2022 ||Each awardee will receive up to $1.5 million for a three-year period to reduce the number of uninsured children by advancing Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment and retention. Grant applications are due March 28.
view more »HHS Awards $103M to Reduce Provider Burnout, Support Mental Health
Jan. 24, 2022 ||HHS awarded $103 million to improve health care worker retention by reducing staff burnout and promoting mental wellness. Several essential hospitals were among the awardees, including the University of New Mexico, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Utah.
view more »Association Comments on Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters
Jan. 24, 2022 ||In response to the proposed rule for the 2023 plan year, the association urged the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure equitable access, finalize nondiscrimination policies, standardize collection of Z codes, and prorate premiums and advanced premium tax credits.
view more »Guidance on Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution Process
Jan. 11, 2022 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released guidance and example templates for good faith estimates and the surprise billing patient-provider dispute resolution process.
view more »Guidance Released for IDR Entities
Jan. 4, 2022 ||New guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reviews the timeline for open negotiations and initiating the federal independent dispute resolution process under the No Surprises Act.
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