Public Policy Update: August 20, 2009
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August 20, 2009
ACTION NEEDED: Sign on to Letter in Support of Simplifying Medicaid Eligibility; Would Allow Coverage of Childless Adults
Resources from the National Council
ACTION NEEDED: Sign on to Letter in Support of Simplifying Medicaid Eligibility; Would Allow Coverage of Childless Adults
In preparation for the return of Congress and continued debate on health care reform, the National Council and the National Alliance to End Homelessness have drafted a letter to House and Senate leadership in strong support of simplifying Medicaid eligibility by connecting it to federal poverty level.
More specifically, this letter states:
- By basing eligibility on federal poverty level, this will end current policy which prevents single adults with chronic but not disabling conditions, parents separated from their children, and young adults leaving the foster care system from being eligible for Medicaid.
- Medicaid reimbursement policy should support coordinated service delivery between primary care, mental health, and addiction treatment services by allowing providers to receive reimbursement for all services they provide.
WE NEED YOUR HELP: Sign on to this letter by September 4 to ensure that the Medicaid provisions included in health care reform support the services your organization provides and the clients you serve!
Information from CMS on State Implementation of 15 Minute Billing Requirement for Rehab & Case Management Services
Recently, the National Council received a copy of an email correspondence from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding concerns that several states have moved forward with implementing 15 minute billing requirements for Medicaid rehab & case management services, despite federal guidance indicating that the Medicaid rule for case management services – through which the 15 minute billing requirement was outlined – should not be implemented.
As directly quoted from the correspondence, CMS indicates that “there is no requirement for the use of 15 minute intervals for rehabilitation services rate setting purposes. There was a requirement in the interim final rule, but that rule has been rescinded. In reviewing time-related units of service, CMS recognizes that rates up to and including weekly rates can be economic and efficient. As part of the State plan amendment review, CMS requires that a state demonstrate how the rate was developed and that non-Medicaid costs are excluded in developing the rate.”
In recognition of reports that states are moving forward with implementation, CMS stated the following: “We have recently reviewed with the regional offices that 15-minute time checks should not be not required. CMS is in the process of looking at its entire state plan process in order to provide more transparent, consistent guidance in the development of state plan amendments and associated reimbursement rates. We will be reaching out to states soon for input on developing this guidance.”
Although we cannot reveal the source of this email correspondence from CMS, the National Council will continue to advocate for more transparent guidance from CMS on this issue. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update for more information.
Background:
In February 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law. The ARRA included moratoria on several Medicaid Final Rules, including Targeted Case Management. It also included a Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should not promulgate regulations concerning intergovernmental transfers, Graduate Medical Education, and rehabilitative services. You can read more about this in a previous issue of the Public Policy Update.
Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report on Health Care Reform; National Council Resources Available Online
As Members of Congress and President Obama continue to host town hall meetings around the country to discuss health care reform and other issues, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently released “Stable and Secure Health Care for America”, a series of new state-by-state reports outlining how national health insurance reform would impact your state’s health care system. The state-specific analysis evaluates the impact of reform based on issues such as cost, consumer choice, quality and affordability.
Meanwhile, the National Council continues to host its Health Care Reform Update webinar series to update attendees on Congressional action on the Affordable Health Choices Act, specific provisions related to addiction and mental health disorders, and answer any questions attendees have. To review the recording and presentation from previous webinars, visit the National Council’s website. Additionally, if you’re participating in a town hall or other meeting with your Members of Congress, the National Council has created Talking Points for you to review. Make sure to tell us how your meeting went by completing a brief survey. Lastly, to see a summary of amendments of relevance to mental health and addiction services, review a previous issue of the Public Policy Update.
As Congress returns to Washington, D.C. in early September, stay tuned to the Public Policy Update and action alerts to find out how you can get involved.
Resources from the National Council
The National Council's website is frequently updated with issue briefs, letters, and other materials of interest to members. Please take notice of these recent updates:
NEW Thank you letter template for senators who signed onto the parity regulations letter.
NEW Parity Regulations Letter signed by 26 Senators and sent to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury
NEW MAPRx Priority Issues for 2009
Healthcare Reform Talking Points for the August Recess
Amendments accepted by the Energy and Commerce Committee that relate to mental illness and addiction treatment:
- Engel/Matsui Amendment would create a federal definition of Federally Qualified Behavioral Health Centers (FQBHCs)
- Murphy Amendment would temporarily suspend Medicaid benefits instead of revoking them for individuals upon release from public juvenile facilities
- Baldwin Amendment would clarify the rules on Medicaid reimbursement for therapeutic foster care (TFC)
- Matsui Amendment would extend the delay in managed care provider tax elimination to October 1, 2010
- Murphy-Green Amendment would include substance use disorders in interdisciplinary mental and behavioral health training program grants
- Pallone Amendment would include the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, which would create a voluntary national disability insurance program
National Council released an updated FY 2010 Budget Chart to reflect the appropriations levels reflected in the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.
The National Council signed onto a Letter of Support to lift the ban on federal funds being used for syringe exchange programs.
View the National Council healthcare reform update webinar series presentations and recordings on the National Council's website.
The National Council sent a thank you letter to Sen. Kennedy for his efforts on healthcare reform with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The National Council sent a Letter of Support to Senator Reed in favor of his amendment to include $50 million in co-location grants in the Affordable Health Choices Act.
The National Council signed onto a Letter of Support in favor of increasing the alcohol excise tax to help pay for healthcare reform.
The National Council signed onto a Letter of Support in favor of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009.
The National Council submitted comments as part of the CCD on HUDS's Notice of Funding Availability on Section 8 rental assistance.
Please contact Chuck Ingoglia, Vice President, Public Policy, with federal policy questions.
The Public Policy Update is a weekly e-newsletter published by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Managing Editor - Christina Hammond. Vice President, Public Policy - Chuck Ingoglia. Director of Practice Improvement - Chris Loftis. Director of Public Policy - Alexa Eggleston. Director of Policy and Advocacy - Laura Galbreath. Mohini Venkatesh-Director of Federal & State Policy.
