July 22 Update

In This Week’s Update:

  • CMS Releases 1332 Checklists and Templates
  • CHIP Scorecard Update
  • State Updates: DE, ID, NJ, NY, OR, RI & WV
  • Coverage Parity for MH and SUD
  • Webinar on Supportive Housing
  • State-level Data on the Opioid Epidemic

 

CMS Releases 1332 Checklists and Templates

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new resources to support states that are considering Section 1332 waivers. The new resources include a checklist of required waiver elements and model templates designed to help states better understand and navigate the Section 1332 waiver application process.  

 

CHIP Scorecard Update

Also last week, CMS updated the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard, which was first published last year, with current data. The scorecard includes measures voluntarily reported by states, as well as federally reported measures. The updated scorecard captures states’ progress in reporting patient health outcomes, particularly related to behavioral health.

 

State Updates: DE, ID, NJ, NY, OR, RI & WV

  • Delaware
    • The Division of Public Health (DPH) presented its annual report to the Delaware Cancer Consortium. The report documents significant improvements in the mortality rate among non-Hispanic African-American men, which decreased by 30 percent between the five-year periods of 2001 and 2005 and 2011 and 2015. DPH also issued a secondary analysis report of all-site cancer incidence rates by census tract.
    • CMS officially deemed Delaware’s Section 1332 waiver application for a state reinsurance program complete and this map from State Health and Value Strategies (SHVS) has been updated to reflect the state’s progress.
  • Idaho
    • The Department of Insurance submitted a Section 1332 waiver application to CMS. The Department is seeking federal approval to allow individuals between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level the option of receiving tax credits to remain on the state-based private marketplace or enroll in Medicaid. SHVS has updated its map with a link to the application.
    • The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) ended the public comment period for the Section 1115 Coverage Choice waiver application, which began on July 3, following recent discussions with CMS. CMS identified necessary changes to the dual-track 1115 Coverage Choice waiver, and the possibility that an 1115 waiver may not be necessary, in addition to the 1332 waiver. DHW is seeking further guidance from CMS and the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight and will initiate a new comment period, if needed.
  • New Jersey – The New Jersey Department of Health announced a new Dental Director for the state of New Jersey. The appointment of Dr. Darwin K. Hayes, DDS, MHA, FAGD, marks the first time in more than 30 years that the state has had a Dental Director. In his new role, Dr. Hayes will oversee dental services and programs for New Jersey residents. He will also be responsible for developing and overseeing an Oral Health Plan for the state.
  • New York – NY State of Health, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are partnering to provide families attending free Learn-to-Swim programs this summer with information about low-cost, quality health coverage. Certified Enrollment Assistors will be available at select Learn-to-Swim locations, statewide, throughout July and August to offer information on health coverage options and to set up enrollment appointments.
  • Oregon – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation announced final rate decisions for small businesses and individuals who purchase their insurance on the small group and individual markets. Final health insurance rates for 2020 have been lowered one percent on average from the division’s preliminary rate decisions, and two percent from the original requests filed by insurance companies in May.
  • Rhode Island – CMS announced that it officially deemed complete Rhode Island’s Section 1332 waiver application for a state reinsurance program and SHVS has updated its map with a link to the notification letter.
  • West Virginia – The Department of Health and Human Services announced it is postponing the transition of the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program to managed care. The transition was to begin July 1, 2019 but has been postponed until July 2020. 

 

National and State Estimates in Equitable Coverage for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder

new brief from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center examines gains in equitable coverage (i.e., “parity”) for mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatment for people in the individual and small-group markets as well as those covered under Medicaid expansion after the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). National and state-level estimates of parity gains for both types of treatment are provided within the brief, and estimates are broken down for the individual market, the small-group market, and the Medicaid expansion population.

 

Demonstrating the Impact of Supportive Housing

The CMS Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program is hosting a national learning webinar, Demonstrating the Impact of Supportive Housing, on August 7. During the webinar, a framework and measures to demonstrate the impact of supportive housing will be presented. The webinar will also feature a discussion of the benefits of supportive housing, as well as specific measures used across the country to assess the impact that providing supportive housing can have on health care utilization costs, homelessness, criminal justice, and other systems. Two state Medicaid directors will present and share information about their states’ work in measuring the impact of supportive housing and the importance of state Medicaid-housing partnerships in developing supportive housing options for Medicaid beneficiaries. Register here.

 

Linking State-level Data Sets to Tackle the Opioid Epidemic

All In: Data for Community Health and the Network for Public Health Law will host a webinar on July 30 featuring presenters from health departments in Massachusetts and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The presenters will highlight case studies about their work to de-identify and link data sets to address the opioid epidemic and will also share strategies for navigating the legal framework to collect, use, and share data across sectors to improve community health, while complying with legal and regulatory requirements and maintaining the public’s trust. You can register for the webinar here.