MACPAC Recommendation Would Give States Additional Managed Care Flexibility

Feb 26, 2018 | Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care

In January, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) approved a recommendation that would facilitate states’ ability to mandate managed care enrollment for certain vulnerable populations. The Commission also examined Virginia’s recent substance use disorder residential treatment waiver and discussed the need for more information related to the IMD exclusion. A framework behind Medicaid hospital payment was proposed and the HHS Secretary’s report on the Money Follows the Person Demonstration (MFP) was reviewed.Click to read more.

Drug Price Reforms Lead Long List of Health Proposals in White House Budget

Feb 22, 2018 | Drugs, Legislation/ Budgets/ Macro

On February 19, the Trump administration released its budget plan for 2019. The individual parts of White House budget proposals – which comprise a kitchen sink of administration philosophy, longstanding policy ideas, MedPAC and OIG recommendations, etc. – often serve as a go-to source for Congress when pay-fors and policy ideas are needed for actual Medicare reforms. This makes them worth paying attention to. Click to read more.

Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals: Bracing for Change

Feb 20, 2018 | Hospitals, LTCHs

BRG Managing Director Greg Russo and Senior Managing Consultant Mandy Asgeirsson published an article analyzing long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and the impact that recent payment changes will have on the industry. Medicare spending for care rendered in LTCHs rose by approximately 50% between 2004 and 2013. To control costs, the federal government passed the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013. In this paper, the authors model the revenue impact that this bill will have on LTCHs as it becomes fully implemented. Click to read more.

Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Report to Congress

Feb 17, 2018 | Behavioral

A recent report by the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) finds that 4% of adult Americans are diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) and 7%-12% of youths with a serious emotional disturbance (SED). Effective treatments exist, yet they are seriously underutilized. Over the next five years, the ISMICC will evaluate current federal programs and implement recommendations put forth by the non-federal members of the ISMICC. Click to read more.