Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency.
CMS Issues Revised Guidance for Eligible Providers Interested in Being Certified as Rural Emergency Hospitals
September 6: CMS posted revised guidance regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REHs) enrollment and conversion process to assist eligible providers interested in participating in Medicare and Medicaid as REHs. REHs are a new provider type established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to address concerns over rural hospital closures. The revised memo incorporates additional information to help clarify the process and respond to stakeholder feedback.
CMS Seeks Requests for Comments on Templates to Aid Compliance with Mental Health Parity in Medicaid & CHIP
September 9: CMS requests comments on templates and instructional guides to help states and managed care plans document compliance with mental health and substance use disorder parity in Medicaid managed care arrangements, Medicaid alternative benefits plans, and CHIP in accordance with Medicaid and CHIP Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rule requirements. The templates, along with detailed guides, will help standardize and streamline the information states submit to CMS to demonstrate compliance. These tools are also designed to facilitate CMS' analysis of parity compliance documentation and coordinate the review across divisions within CMS.
CMS Announces Date for Conference on Optimizing Healthcare Delivery to Improve Patient Lives
September 9: CMS posted a save the date for the 2024 CMS Conference on Optimizing Healthcare Delivery to Improve Patient Lives, which will take place on December 12, 2024. This free virtual conference will convene changemakers from across the healthcare community and federal government to share new ideas, lessons learned, and best practices to reduce administrative burden and strengthen access to quality care. Details on session topics, speakers, and registration are coming soon.
Montana State Innovation Waiver Extension Approved Through 2029
September 12: CMS approved Montana’s application to extend its State Innovation Waiver, known as the Montana Health Insurance Individual Market Stabilization Reinsurance Program, under section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act for an additional five years from Plan Years 2025 through 2029. The waiver extension means Montana will continue its state-based reinsurance program, projected to lower individual market premiums and result in more consumers in the state being covered. Information can be found on this fact sheet.
CMS Releases First Annual Evaluation Report on the Kidney Care Choices Model
September 17: CMS released the First Annual Evaluation Report on the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model. The KCC Model is a voluntary model designed to improve care management for people with Medicare who have stage four or five chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and are post-transplant. KCC aims to delay the onset of dialysis, increase the use of home dialysis, and increase kidney transplantation, in addition to reducing Medicare expenditures and preserving or enhancing quality of care. Results from the first year of the model showed increases in home dialysis, home dialysis training, and optimal starts to dialysis, and no significant changes in transplant rates or Medicare Part A and Part B spending. A two-page at-a-glance can be found here.
CMS Announces Qualified Health Plan Directory Pilot
September 17: As part of its ongoing work to improve access to care, reduce clinician burden, and support interoperability throughout the health sector, CMS is partnering with the State of Oklahoma to pilot a first-of-its-kind, centralized directory for Qualified Health Plans and health care providers that aims to improve data accuracy and improve patient and provider experiences. Information can be found here.
Other Recent Releases:
September 6: CMS Notifies Individuals Potentially Impacted by Data Breach
September 12: CMS Approves New Hampshire’s Request to Provide Essential Behavioral Health Services Through Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams
September 13: CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Louisiana
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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.