Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:
Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Expands to Alabama and North Dakota
January 11, 2023: CMS marked another important maternal health milestone by approving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) postpartum coverage expansions in Alabama and a Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion in North Dakota through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Nationally, more than 439,000 people across 28 states and the District of Columbia now have access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full 12 months following pregnancy — up from just 60 days before the ARP. Postpartum coverage extensions form one of the cornerstones of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan — part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Click here and here to learn more about Alabama’s approvals, and here to learn more about North Dakota’s approval.
CMS Acts to Lower Prescription Drug Costs Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
January 23, 2023: CMS issued a Medicaid Drug Rebate Program manufacturers’ release providing drug manufacturers with technical information on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and other statutory changes on the calculation of Medicaid rebate reporting metrics.
January 23, 2023: CMS began to propose its data collection processes essential to carrying out the first year of the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program by posting a 60-day Federal Register Notice. CMS will gather information necessary to identify which drugs qualify for the small biotech manufacturer exemption for the early years of the Negotiation Program.
CMS has a number of resources available to help people with Medicare understand the reduced drug costs made possible under the Inflation Reduction Act, including a fact sheet and frequently asked questions about the updated Medicare cost sharing for insulin.
CMS Released 2022 Accomplishments and Spotlights Key Advances in Health Care
January 26, 2023: CMS highlights key 2022 Accomplishments detailing the agency’s focus on continuous operational improvement and setting the benchmark for health-system transformation. CMS has made tremendous progress on its six strategic pillars: advancing health equity, expanding access, engaging partners, driving innovation, protecting programs, and fostering excellence, as well as the 13 cross-cutting initiatives driving results across the agency.
Rural Emergency Hospitals’ Guidance Released for Newest Medicare Provider Type
January 26, 2023: CMS released guidance for the newest Medicare provider type, Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH), outlining requirements on delivery of care, the conversion process for eligible facilities, survey guidelines, and the Conditions of Participation that facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare program. This new provider type was established to address the growing concern over closures of rural hospitals. The REH designation, established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides an opportunity for Critical Access Hospitals and certain rural hospitals to continue to provide essential services to their communities.
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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 the public health by administering the Medicare program and working in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, CHIP, and health insurance portability standards.
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