Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced three new initiatives to give States the added resources needed to implement changes to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The three new initiatives include:
- Additional funds to implement and improve enrollment systems: Under this new rule the Federal government would match 90% of the State’s input towards the implementation and improvement of Medicaid Management Information Systems. Previously States received 50%.
*Only States that comply with the new Health Insurance Exchanges will be eligible for the additional funds.
- Reduced administrative barriers for home and community-based services: This proposed rule would allow States to design programs based on patient needs, rather than diagnoses.
* The proposed rule can be viewed on the Federal Registrar website. States and stakeholders are encouraged to weigh in on this proposal by June 15, for consideration in final ruling.
- Coordinated care for “dual eligible” individuals: As part of this initiative, 15 states throughout the country will be eligible to receive up to $1million to develop new ways to address the needs of the approximately 9 million Americans who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
*Selected states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
