Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

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Telehealth and Medicare: The Use of Audio-Only Visits

AARP recently released an article exploring the evolving landscape of telehealth within Medicare, spotlighting its transformation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With telehealth adoption soaring to 40% among Medicare beneficiaries in 2020, the article accentuates the significance of audio-only visits and the imminent legislative choice regarding post-2024 coverage. AARP also discusses the importance of these virtual services in ensuring comprehensive healthcare access while addressing potential challenges like accessibility, cost implications, and concerns of misuse.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74799

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Women with Disabilities and the Labor Market

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) presents an analysis focusing on the status of women with disabilities within the labor market. Drawing from various surveys and data sources, the report explores disability prevalence, employment trends, earnings, poverty rates, occupational distributions, telework patterns, and barriers to employment, with special attention to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource provides insights into the evolving dynamics of labor market participation, shedding light on the experiences and challenges faced by women with disabilities.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74794

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Extension of 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Appendix K Expiration Dates

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Appendix K flexibilities currently scheduled to end on Nov. 11, 2023 may be extended, if a state takes action by Nov. 11, 2023 to permanently incorporate desired Appendix K provisions into their 1915(c) programs. The applicable Appendix K flexibilities will remain in place until the effective date of the 1915(c) waiver amendment or renewal...

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74783

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Key Facts About Medicare Part D Enrollment and Costs in 2023

KFF’s brief, “Key Facts About Medicare Part D Enrollment and Costs in 2023”, analyzes enrollment and costs for the Medicare Part D benefit in 2023 and trends. Medicare Part D provides outpatient prescription drug coverage through a standalone Medicare Part D plan (PDP) to supplement Original or Traditional Medicare, or through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MA-PD) or other Medicare Health Plan with drug coverage. The analysis notes that in 2023 over half of those with Medicare Part D coverage are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with a Part D benefit. Enrollment in the MA-PD plans continues to outpace enrollment in PDPs. MA-PD enrollment grew by 47% between 2019 and 2023 while PDP enrollment fell by 12%.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74773

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Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently introduced the Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies (TCET) pathway, a voluntary expedited Medicare coverage process for certain FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices. This new pathway aims to support innovation while ensuring faster and more consistent access to emerging medical technologies for Medicare beneficiaries. The TCET pathway offers manufacturers increased pre-market engagement with CMS and a high level of flexibility to address evidence gaps for coverage. This initiative seeks to develop reliable evidence for informed healthcare decision-making and to ensure high-quality care for Medicare beneficiaries.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74767

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Medicaid and CHIP Mental Health (MH) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Action Plan

On July 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicaid and CHIP Mental Health (MH) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Action Plan Overview and Guide, outlining the agency's strategies for enhancing treatment and support for enrollees with these conditions. Key areas of focus include enhancing coverage and integration to expand access to prevention and treatment services, promoting engagement in care through increased availability of home and community-based services, and extending coverage to non-traditional services and settings. Additionally, the plan aims to improve the quality of care for individuals with MH conditions and SUDs.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74766

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Issue Brief: The Economic Security and Health of Older Women of Color

This new issue brief, co-authored by Justice in Aging and the National Women’s Law Center, analyzes employment, income, and health data of older women of color and calls attention to targeted policy solutions to support them. There is a specific focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted the experience of older women of color and the data that reflects that. This brief emphasizes the need for immediate policy solutions that preserve the economic dignity and health support systems of older women of color.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74748

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Issue Brief – “A Small Number of Drugs Account for a Large Share of Medicare Part D Spending”

On July 12, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released an issue brief describing high-cost drugs which accounted for a disproportionate share of Medicare spending. As required under the Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government will announce 10 Medicare Part D prescription drugs by September 1, 2023, selected for price negotiations in 2026. To provide an understanding of the potential impact of negotiating prices, KFF’s analysis found that Medicare Part D spending was concentrated among a small number of prescription drugs, and ten top-selling Medicare-covered prescription drugs in 2021 accounted for 22 percent or nearly one-fourth of gross Part D spending....

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74746

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Letter to COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturers

On July 13th, HHS released a letter directed to COVID-19 manufacturers regarding the transition of vaccines to more traditional pathways and the upcoming 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The letter states that HHS expects vaccines will remain available following the transition in current locations, such as pharmacies and clinics, and priced at reasonable rates. HHS expects vaccine manufacturers that plan to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccines prepare a sufficient supply of doses for the upcoming vaccination campaign...

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74744

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Partnerships with Community-Based Organizations: Opportunities for Health Plans to Create Value

Read the latest publication from the Partnership to Align Social Care, USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute, and the Camden Coalition to learn more about the benefits of partnerships between CBOs and health plans. This new resource highlights the top five reasons why health plans should partner with CBOs and provides case examples from real-life partnerships.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/74738

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