March 31st marks the official end date set by the federal government for requiring state agencies to provide continuous Medicaid enrollment for their beneficiaries. Around 400,000 Michiganders are at risk of losing coverage after being deemed ineligible for the program once the continuous coverage provision ends. Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital … Read more
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities (SNF) for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Key updates include: A negative 2.3% parity adjustment to the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) case mix indices following implementation of the PDPM to … Read more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently approved an extension of Michigan Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage for 12 months after pregnancy, up from 60 days, effective April 1, 2022. This coverage extension is expected to apply to approximately 16,000 pregnant and postpartum women in Michigan and is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s … Read more
The Michigan Legislature’s spring break adjournment followed lots of bill movement. The Legislature moved bills to change the prior authorization process for commercial insurers, provide supplemental funds to implement statewide broadband, and expand the Essential Health Provider Loan Repayment Program. Both chambers recently passed Senate Bill 247, which would decrease wait times for … Read more
In this edition of “5 Things We’re Watching,” we have a deep dive into health items in the budget, a look at workforce challenges facing the state, and a conversation on how state leaders are preparing for Medicaid redetermination. And, in case you missed it, registration is now open for the 2022 Maryland State of Reform … Read more
In case you missed it, last week we released the Topical Agenda for the 2022 State of Reform Federal Health Policy Conference. The event is coming up on February 17 and will be fully virtual, allowing attendees from across the country to participate! This conference will feature conversations on federal health policy, innovations in the state-federal relationship, and … Read more
Michigan set its record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations at nearly 4,700 patients last week and currently has the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the U.S at 47 per 100,000 residents. Adam Carlson, senior vice president of advocacy at Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA), says the biggest issues surrounding the new wave stem from staffing … Read more
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center recently released their annual report, which details the center’s accomplishments throughout FY 2020-2021. The report discusses the center’s impact and future frameworks around health equity, workplace safety, and maternal health. The MHA Keystone Center is a Federally-listed Patient Safety Organization (PSO) created by the … Read more
A bill to fund the statewide trauma system was signed during the week of Oct. 4 and several bills impacting hospitals were taken up in the House and Senate health policy committees. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill (HB) 5094 into law Oct. 7, providing full funding for Michigan’s statewide trauma system. HB 5094 was introduced by Rep. … Read more