MHPA MHPA on Wednesday sent out a press release applauding Congress and the Administration for their leadership on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, legislation that addresses the COVID-19 pandemic, an urgent public health emergency that poses a threat to millions of Americans. Read MHPA's statement here.
MedPage Today The Medicaid program is undergoing temporary changes as a result of COVID-19, with states doing their best to grapple with the increased need for healthcare access.
President Trump's declaration last Friday of a national emergency paved the way for temporarily expanded powers of state Medicaid programs achieved through special exemptions known as 1135 waivers. These waivers would allow states to, among other things, make it easier for people to apply for Medicaid and to retain their eligibility, and for states to make sure there are enough healthcare providers to treat people by increasing the scope of allowable telehealth services.READ MORE
WFTV-TV Doctors' offices across Central Florida are utilizing telemedicine to find new ways to treat patients without seeing them in person.
With the technology, it only takes about two minutes for anyone with a mobile device or desktop computer to see a specialist from wherever they are.READ MORE
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Miami Herald via MSN Florida's ability to respond to the coronavirus crisis received a significant boost from federal healthcare regulators this week when the Trump administration approved a waiver that will allow the state to sign up and pay doctors and hospitals through Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income people.READ MORE
WBTV-TV North Carolina health officials have sought authority from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid and NC Health Choice policies as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The waivers will provide flexibility to NC Medicaid and providers to address the urgent healthcare needs of beneficiaries during this public health emergency.READ MORE
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The Oklahoman Gov. Kevin Stitt's plan to customize Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma seeks to impose work or community-engagement requirements on thousands of low-income Oklahomans and charge them monthly premiums for health care services.
Directed by Stitt, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority is seeking approval for a Healthy Adult Opportunity waiver — offered by the Trump administration to let states tailor their Medicaid expansion plans.READ MORE
The Ripon Advance U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) recently led his home-state colleagues in denouncing a proposed rule to revamp aspects of Medicaid financing that they said could negatively impact beneficiaries in Texas and other states.
In a March 10 letter sent to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, Rep. Burgess and the Texas House delegation expressed concerns about the proposed 2019 Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation to change the supplemental payment financing mechanisms.READ MORE
Home Health Care News Florida became the first state to secure an emergency Medicaid waiver from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help providers maintain operations during the COVID-19 national emergency.
If Medicaid-reimbursed personal care services providers are to stay afloat during the ongoing pandemic, several more states will have to follow suit. Generally, states can land emergency assistance through 1135 waivers and other mechanisms.READ MORE
The Buffalo News A coronavirus relief bill with more than $6 billion in additional Medicaid funding to New York State, including $50 million for Erie and Niagara counties, became law Wednesday.
The measure, approved by the Senate by an unusual 90-8 bipartisan margin, was then quickly signed into law by President Trump.READ MORE
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Lincoln Journal Star Nebraska Appleseed is urging Gov. Pete Ricketts to enroll 90,000 newly eligible Nebraskans in the current Medicaid program now instead of waiting until October, suggesting that could be a weapon in helping combat the coronavirus.READ MORE
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