Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency.
Registration Opens for the CMS 2024 Health Equity Conference
March 14: Registration opened for the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference, scheduled for May 29-30. The free, hybrid conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Bethesda, MD, and will be available for both in-person and online virtual participation. The conference, organized by the CMS Office of Minority Health, brings together health equity leaders from federal and local agencies, health provider organizations, academia, community-based organizations, and others to explore and sustain health equity through action. Conference attendees will hear from CMS leadership on recent developments and updates to CMS programs; explore the latest health equity research; discuss promising practices and creative solutions; and collaborate on community engagement strategies. Conference information and registration can be found here.
CMS Releases 2024 Value-Based Care Strategy Blog
March 14: A new CMS blog titled "Update on the Medicare Value-Based Care Strategy: Alignment, Growth, Equity" provides a progress report on accomplishments and a look toward the future for CMS’ Value-Based Care Strategy. It also covers CMS’ strategy to move toward value-based payment, a focus on alignment across payers, growth in accountable care, and promoting equity. Among other topics, CMS aims to scale model learnings, support primary care providers in value-based care, improve quality measurement, and improve the flexibility of practitioners to work with community-based organizations to address social needs, while also emphasizing the importance of value-based data transparency and fostering competition within Medicare Advantage.
CMS Approves Rhode Island Demonstration Amendment to Cover Personal Care Services in Hospital Settings for Certain Individuals
March 21: CMS approved the new “Rhode Island Comprehensive Demonstration” Medicaid section 1115 demonstration. With this approval, the state will be able to cover certain personal care services (PCS) in acute care hospital settings as part of the state’s existing home- and community-based services (HCBS). PCS are provided to eligible people to help them stay in their own homes and communities rather than live in institutional settings, such as nursing homes. As part of the amendment approval, Rhode Island will also expand eligibility for certain HCBS for adults with disabilities at risk for long-term care (LTC), add an option for eligible people who may be interested in pursuing remote (versus in-person) HCBS monitoring and support, and modify certain provider requirements so individuals who have experienced housing insecurity can help with delivering home stabilization services (which help people in securing and transitioning to housing), among other approved authorities. Details are available here.
Other Recent Releases:
March 11: Statement by HHS Secretary Becerra on President Biden's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
March 18: Statement for Change Healthcare Non-enforcement Medicaid Informational Bulletin
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CMS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serves the public as a trusted partner and steward, dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding coverage, and improving health outcomes. The agency protects public health by administering the Medicare program and working in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, CHIP, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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