This message contains images. If you don't see images, click here to view. Click here to advertise in this news brief.   Mobile version    RSS    Subscribe    Unsubscribe    Archive    Media Kit Jan. 15, 2013 Home   About   Policy & Advocacy   Education & Resources   Events           HHS releases rule on Medicaid, CHIP and health insurance marketplaces MHPA    Share    The Department of Health and Human Services has released a proposed rule implementing key Affordable Care Act provisions relating to Medicaid and affordable insurance exchanges. This proposed rule codifies statutory eligibility provisions, lays out a structure and options for coordinating Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and exchange eligibility notices and appeals. More White House proposes (slightly) higher Medicaid co-pays The Washington Post    Share    States may soon have the authority to charge Medicaid patients higher co-payments, under the new proposed Affordable Care Act regulations. The new rule would set a maximum $4 co-pay for any outpatient services used by Medicaid patients who live below the poverty line ($11,170 for an individual). Up until now, the maximum co-payments have ranged between $1.30 and $3.90, depending on the actual cost of the service. More Don't forget Navigant Healthcare's free webinar tomorrow (Wed.) at 11a.m. EST: 'Medicaid Managed Care Program Management: The Next Generation' MHPA    Share    There has been skepticism about managed care in the policy process and in the public at large. Medicaid health plans need to help policymakers understand the value of MCOs and be able to design delivery systems where MCOs can be innovative and valued leaders in delivery and management of Medicaid services. The webinar, presented by Navigant Healthcare Managing Director Anne Jacobs, will cover what MCOs need to do to be ready for the next generation of Medicaid managed care, emphasizing the need to use value-based purchasing to drive for improvement and achievement. More States will be given extra time to set up health insurance exchanges The New York Times    Share    The White House says it will give states more time to comply with the new healthcare law after finding that many states lag in setting up markets where millions of Americans are expected to buy subsidized private health insurance. Under the law, the secretary of health and human services was supposed to determine "on or before Jan. 1" whether states were prepared to operate the online markets, known as insurance exchanges. More MCNA Dental Plans MCNA Dental Plans delivers high quality dental care to traditionally underserved populations enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare programs. MCNA contracts with over 25,000 dental providers throughout 22 states. Our provider network and our focus on customer satisfaction are the foundation of our commitment to excellence. MORE Medicaid advocates 'thrilled' with Lew's Treasury nomination The Hill    Share    Jack Lew's nomination to Treasury secretary will likely elevate one of the Obama administration's most adamant supporters of Medicaid. Lew has been a staunch advocate for Medicaid in his role as President Barack Obama's chief of staff, and the program's outside supporters are excited that Lew will now play a bigger role. More Rockefeller pegs post-CLASS commission, Medicaid/CHIP as key priorities InsideHealthPolicy.com    Share    In announcing he will retire from the U.S. Senate in 2014, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, one of the Chamber's strongest advocates for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and other safety-net systems, says defending those programs as well as working on the new Commission on Long Term care he included in the fiscal cliff deal will be among his key priorities as his finishes up his nearly 50-year tenure in public office. More Major enrollment push planned for Obama healthcare law The Hill    Share    Supporters of President Barack Obama's healthcare law are gearing up for a major push to make sure people take advantage of its provisions. Enroll America, a newly-formed advocacy group, recently announced a campaign to ensure that eligible people sign up for the new insurance options the healthcare law will provide once it's fully in place next year. More Rollout posted for Florida frail elderly to enter HMOs Health News Florida    Share    The Florida region that includes Orlando and Melbourne will be the first in the state to enroll its frail elderly patients who are on Medicaid into managed-care plans, the Agency for Health Care Administration has announced. A map on AHCA's website offers a guide as to which counties are included in the rollout, which hinges on approval by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Florida's requests for a waiver of federal law for its Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program. More Arizona governor opts for federal Medicaid expansion The Associated Press via Yahoo! News    Share    Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is planning to push for an expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the federal health care law, a surprising decision that could have an impact on other Republican governors weighing a similar decision. Brewer has opposed the Affordable Care Act, citing worries over a potential overreliance on federal funding. More California governor commits to major Medi-Cal expansion Los Angeles Times    Share    In order to help implement President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul in California, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a major expansion of the state's public insurance program in the state budget he recently unveiled. Most Americans face the requirement in January 2014 to buy health insurance or pay a penalty under the federal Affordable Care Act. More South Dakota governor against quick Medicaid expansion because of uncertainty of federal funding The Associated Press via Aberdeen News    Share    South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard decided against expanding Medicaid to cover thousands of additional low-income South Dakotans because he's uncertain the federal government can afford to pay the bulk of the cost, a state official told lawmakers. Deb Bowman, a senior adviser to the Republican governor, said Daugaard has decided against recommending an expansion of Medicaid for now, but the governor and lawmakers could decide to make that move later. More Utah's health insurance exchange in limbo The Pew Charitable Trusts    Share    Since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, states have known they would have a choice about whether to run their own health insurance exchanges or let the federal government do it for them. But with only eight months left before those online marketplaces are expected to open to the public, Utah hasn't made up its mind. More LIBERTY Dental Plan ✓ A National Leader in providing dental benefits for Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare programs ✓ Nationwide Network ✓ Comprehensive Dental Disease Management ✓ Predictable Costs with Quality Programs info@libertydentalplan.com Vision and prescription drug programs for health plans Get a better view. Learn More Georgia governor pitches Medicaid money fix The Associated Press via Connecticut Post    Share    Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has settled on a proposal that could allow lawmakers to avoid voting directly to extend a high-profile hospital tax that helps provide a significant part of state health-care spending. Republican leaders lauded the idea on Jan. 14, the opening day of the General Assembly's annual session, but at least one Democratic leader said questions might be raised about the constitutionality of such a move. More Louisiana health official to lead North Carolina Medicaid program The Associated Press via Kinston.com    Share    North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's administration moved quickly to name a Louisiana health official to lead the state's huge Medicaid program. Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos announced Carol Steckel, director of the Center for Health Care Innovation with the Louisiana state health and hospitals department, as the new director of the Division of Medical Assistance. She's replacing Mike Watson, who retired last week as Gov. Beverly Perdue's administration ended, HHS said. More Federally qualified health center turns to McKesson Health Management Technology    Share    Family Health Care Clinic, a Federally Qualified Health Center based in Pearl, Miss., has selected McKesson Revenue Management Solutions to provide a full range of medical billing and accounts receivable management services. McKesson's experience with the complex billing and compliance requirements associated with FQHCs was instrumental in the clinic's decision to partner with RMS. More Insights webinar by Baxter: 'The Hemophilia Community and the Voice of Advocacy' | 11 a.m. EST, Jan. 23 Baxter    Share    In 2013, Medicaid managed care will be affected in a variety of ways — from the shakeout of the 2012 elections and the fiscal cliff negotiations to the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act. This presentation will address the current status and implications of many outstanding state and federal decisions affecting Medicaid managed care, including: state Medicaid expansion; Health Insurance Exchange decisions and level of integration; and CMS regulatory guidance on Medicaid reforms. Presentations will be by Jim Hardy and Sarah Wiley of Deloitte Consulting, LLP. More Watch, listen to the Sept. 18 webinar, 'Importance of Coordinated Care in the Management of Members with Hemophilia,' free on MHPA's website MHPA    Share    The presentation on coordinating care in hemophilia and how to improve outcomes and reduce costs by Jeff Januska, PharmD, pharmacy director at CenCal Health and Dr. Steven Pipe, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, now is available on MHPA's website. More Free webinar by Deloitte: 'The Fiscal Cliff, ACA, and Medicaid Managed Care' | 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 29 MHPA    Share    In 2013, Medicaid managed care will be affected in a variety of ways — from the shakeout of the 2012 elections and the fiscal cliff negotiations to the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act. This presentation will address the current status and implications of many outstanding state and federal decisions affecting Medicaid managed care, including: state Medicaid expansion, Health Insurance Exchange decisions and level of integration, and CMS regulatory guidance on Medicaid reforms. Presentations by Jim Hardy and Sarah Wiley of Deloitte Consulting, LLP. More Free webinar by AMFC: 'Optimizing Pharmaceutical Care and Measuring Outcomes in a Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Program' | 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 30 MHPA    Share    Medication-related problems and medication mismanagement are massive public health problems in the U.S. Experts estimate that 1.5 million preventable adverse events occur each year that result in $177 billion in injury and death. In response to these problems, PerformRx, in collaboration with the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, successfully have developed a collaborative Drug Therapy Management program that has demonstrated significant reductions in emergency room visits and inpatient admissions, as well as significant costs savings. More Free webinar by PwC: 'Getting to know the 30 million newly insured: New patients equals new challenges' | 2 p.m. EST, Feb. 6 PWC    Share    In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act, approximately 30 million uninsured Americans under age 65 stand to gain coverage under the law. States are making two crucial decisions: Whether to expand Medicaid coverage, and which type of health insurance marketplace to create — state-run, state-federal run, or federally facilitated. As decisions are made and plans put in place, one thing is certain: When the exchange population is combined with the new Medicaid beneficiaries, the result will be a distinctly different customer base for the health sector, bringing with it many new challenges and opportunities. More Keeping You Healthy video: CentAccount by Centene MHPA    Share    The CentAccount program promotes personal healthcare responsibility in Centene's membership by offering financial incentives. A consumer-driven incentive program designed to strengthen the relationships between Centene health plan members and their medical home, it increases the utilization of preventive services, reduces reliance on the ER, and increases continuity of care, resulting in better health outcomes for members. Rewarding members for targeted healthy behaviors increases the likelihood that such behaviors will be continued through positive reinforcement. Centene Senior VP Aparna Aburri discusses this innovative program with the MHPA Center for Best Practices. More MHPA CEO Thomas Johnson to speak at Strategic Solutions Network's 4th Annual 'Medicaid Innovations Forum' | Feb. 5-7 | Orlando, Fla. Medicaid Innovations    Share    Medicaid Innovations is designed to be the meeting place for all participants in the Medicaid universe who want to participate, share and learn about innovations that promote quality improvement, cost reduction and transformation in the face of reform. Use discount code MHPA when registering to receive a $200 discount off the current rate. More MHPA CEO Thomas Johnson keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Leadership Summit on Medicaid Managed Care | Feb 25-27 | Arlington, Va. MHPA    Share    After, and in spite of, the political uncertainty of an election year, payment transformation continues in Medicaid as well as the development of integrated care delivery models industrywide. Now, more than ever, Medicaid managed care plans must continue to show their value. Attend the 6th Annual Leadership Summit on Medicaid Managed Care to get the latest updates via insightful presentations from experts including MHPA's Thomas Johnson ("Deciphering the Implications of Optional Medicaid Expansion"). MHPA members, receive a $200 discount when you register online or at 800-767-9499 with promo code MHPA200. Discount not valid on government rate. More MHPA CEO Thomas Johnson to speak at 21st Annual Medicaid Managed Care Congress | May 20-22 | Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel | Baltimore, Md. Institute for International Research    Share    Collaborate and drive innovation to move the Medicaid industry forward. Implement the ACA, increase quality, grow membership, and strengthen financials. Register with code XP1826MHPA and save 25 percent. More MHPA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook MHPA    Share    Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to get industry-related news and the latest MHPA announcements.   MHPA's Industry NewsBrief Colby Horton, Vice President of Publishing, 469.420.2601 Download media kit Damon Sayles, Content Editor, 469.420.2662    Contribute news This edition of MHPA's Industry NewsBrief was sent to ##Email##. To unsubscribe, click here. Did someone forward this edition to you? Subscribe here -- it's free! Recent issues Jan. 15, 2013 Jan. 10, 2013 Jan. 8, 2013 Jan. 3, 2013 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063