Stephen Smith, director of the Division of Tenncare, discussed the ways the division has changed over the years to become more cost-effective during the 2023 Tennessee State of Reform Health Policy Conference opening plenary. The division’s 2022 fiscal year proposed budget shows that TennCare represents 19.7 percent of the state’s overall budget. Smith said TennCare’s … Read more
Policy leaders and community advocates came together at the 2023 Tennessee State of Reform conference last month to discuss coverage retention efforts during the Medicaid unwinding, and what the healthcare system is doing to support Tennesseans through the process. The Division of TennCare is currently working its way through the federally required Medicaid redeterminations. The … Read more
Since Medicaid redeterminations began in April 2023, 1.4 million Texans have been disenrolled from the program. Approximately 759,700 people in the state have had their coverage renewed. As of their most recently published redetermination dashboard from October, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) reported 24% of redeterminations had not been initiated, while 76% … Read more
In its ongoing redetermination of Medicaid eligibility, Minnesota is reevaluating eligibility for a record high of 1.5 million enrollees on Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid program, and MinnesotaCare, Minnesota’s basic health program. Ineligible individuals began to lose coverage in July, and the last cohort will undergo eligibility redeterminations in July of 2024. As of Nov. 14th, … Read more
At the 2023 Southern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference, a handful of health leaders met to discuss the status of healthcare coverage for the justice-involved population. This year, California became the first state in the nation to offer Medicaid coverage to incarcerated individuals for up to 90 days prior to release. Autumn Boylan, … Read more
While health agencies have been working nonstop to help Washingtonians maintain their insurance coverage since Medicaid redeterminations began, their leaders continue to focus on new strategies to prevent more residents from losing coverage. The federal requirement for continuous coverage for Medicaid recipients ended on March 31st, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommended … Read more
Experts weighed in on Washington’s Section 1115 Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP) waiver and the availability of new services it will offer residents at the Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference last week. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved the Washington State Health Care Authority’s (HCA) request to extend and … Read more
A lawsuit filed against Florida health officials marks the first legal challenge that seeks to halt a state’s termination of residents’ Medicaid benefits since the redetermination process began. The lawsuit was filed in Jacksonville on Aug. 22nd on behalf of a 25-year-old woman, her two-year-old daughter who has cystic fibrosis, and a one-year … Read more
Postpartum coverage for Medicaid-eligible pregnant Arizonans has been expanded from 60 days up to one year. The coverage expansion went into effect on April 1st, and will help improve health outcomes of birthing parents and children and increase access to life-saving healthcare services. “Medicaid covers more than half the births in Arizona. Extending postpartum coverage … Read more
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) recently requested an amendment to Washington’s Section 1115 Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP) waiver that would expand coverage for former foster care youth. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved Washington’s request to extend and amend its Section … Read more