Announcement/Press release

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Valuing the Invaluable- New AARP Report on Family Caregiving

The latest report from the AARP Public Policy Institute, "Valuing the Invaluable," examines current patterns in family caregiving, delves into the intricacies of family caregiving, and suggests measures that should be taken to tackle the financial, social, and emotional obstacles that arise when providing care for loved ones, including parents and spouses. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements and prospective state and federal policies aimed at assisting family caregivers who play a crucial role in long term services and supports.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74453

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CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward From the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

On Monday, February 27th, CMS released a fact sheet titled “CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency”. The fact sheet includes information on several topics including COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments, telehealth services, health care access, including continued flexibilities for health care professionals, and information on the Inpatient Hospital Care at Home initiative. CMS reports that in the coming weeks the agency will host stakeholder calls and office hours to provide additional information.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74425

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FEMA Releases Guide for Equitable Post Disaster Recovery Request for Comment

FEMA is seeking public feedback from partners, stakeholders, and the general public on the “Achieving Equitable Recovery: A Post Disaster Guide for Local Officials (“Equity Guide”)”, developed by the Community Assistance Branch, Interagency Coordination Division, Recovery Directorate. The comment period will end on Wednesday, March 15. This guide supports local officials in their efforts to identify needs, establish critical partnerships, leverage new opportunities, conduct strategic public engagement, and make a strong case for funding in an equitable manner. Additionally, FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to provide an overview of the draft guide and gather feedback from whole community partners.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74405

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2022 State of Medicaid Managed Care Report Highlights Released

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 The Association of Community Affiliated Plans, Medicaid Health Plans of America, and Sellers Dorsey released their highlights from the 2022 State of Medicaid Managed Care Report. The report covered five core areas of managed care across the country, the current state of managed care, the history of federal regulations and key changes, effective approaches from six states, innovations and successes from MCOs, and outcomes stemming from managed care.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74395

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CMS Proposes Benefit Expansion for Mobility Devices

CMS recently released a proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) decision that would, for the first time, expand coverage for power seat elevation equipment on certain power wheelchairs to Medicare individuals. The proposed NCD is open for public comment for 30 days and will end on March 17, 2023. If finalized, power seat elevation equipment would be covered by Medicare for individuals with a Group 3 power wheelchair, which are designed to meet the needs of people with Medicare with severe disabilities, to improve their health as they transfer from the wheelchair to other surfaces.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74389

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Biden-Harris Continue Efforts to Increase Transparency in Nursing Home Ownership

On Monday, February 13, 2023 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a press release on the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to implement section 6101(a) of the Affordable Care Act. The proposed rule would require additional ownership and management information about nursing homes across the United States be disclosed. The Administrations attempts to implement the rule is part of a continued effort by the administration to improve quality of care at nursing homes.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74381

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Initial Guidance for Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program

Yesterday the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced next steps describing how the agency will implement the new Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, including a timeline of key dates. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 (P.L. 117-169), the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program requires drug companies to pay a rebate to Medicare if they raise prices for certain drugs faster than the rate of inflation. Based on a 12 month period starting October 1, 2022, drug companies will be required to pay rebates to Medicare for raising prices that outpace inflation on certain Part D drugs.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74372

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CMS Releases Calendar Year 2024 Advance Notice for the Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Programs

This past Wednesday, February 1st, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74353

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CMS Issues Press Release on Final Rule to Protect Medicare, Strengthen Medicare Advantage, and Hold Insurers Accountable

On Monday, January 31st, CMS issued a final rule for the Medicare Advantage (MA) Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) program. The MA RADV program is used to identify improper risk adjustment payments made to Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) for claims made to Medicare without supporting evidence from a beneficiary’s medical record. Payments to MAOs are adjusted based on the health status of a MAO’s enrollees using medical diagnoses reported by the insurer. The new policy will apply to plan contracts since 2018.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74352

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What Happens When COVID-19 Emergency Declarations End? Implications for Coverage, Costs, and Access

KFF released a brief “What Happens When COVID-19 Emergency Declarations End? Implications for Coverage, Costs, and Access” (January 31, 2023) that the describes the major health-related COVID-19 emergency declarations made by the federal government since January 2020, and the flexibilities resulting from the declarations. The areas covered in the brief include coverage, costs, and payment for COVID-19 testing, treatments, and vaccines; Medicaid coverage and federal match rates; and telehealth, among other provisions. According to KFF, the list does not include all federal policy and regulatory provisions made in response to COVID-19 emergency declarations.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74351

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