What's Happening
April 2011
(4/26/11)
Advocates Should Take a Closer Look at ACOs
Accountable care organizations are groups of health care providers that
work together to coordinate the care patients receive with the goals of
improving care quality while reducing cost and strengthening patients'
health. CCF’s Joe Touschner explains why children’s health advocates
should take a closer look at ACOs.• Blog: Alphabet Soup: ACOs under ACA
(4/21/11)
CMS Continues to Invest in Innovation and State Flexibility
Fifteen states across the country have been selected to design new ways
to meet the often complex and costly medical needs of the nation’s
lowest-income and chronically ill citizens. CMS also issued a proposed
rule to make it easier for states to provide home and community-based
services for persons covered by Medicaid. Tricia Brooks covers both
topics on Say Ahhh!.• Blog: CMS Continues to Invest in and Support Innovation and State Flexibility in Medicaid
(4/20/11)
Kansas Eliminates Backlog of Applications
Kansas Healthwave (the state’s Medicaid and CHIP program) had a backlog
of 30,000 applicants in March. The state swiftly eliminated the
backlog by borrowing good ideas from other states such as an expedited
renewal process though passive renewals for children, new pre-populated
renewal form for adults, and a simplified internal approval process for
first-time applications. Kansas also used its CHIPRA bonus to hire
temporary workers to speed up processing according to Suzanne Wikle on
Say Ahhh!.• Blog: Kansas Eliminates Backlog with Commonsense Solutions to Improve Efficiency
(4/12/11)
Tapping Medicaid Performance Bonus Funds
The FY2011 budget agreement includes a provision to cut $3.5 billion
that had been set aside for “performance bonuses” to reward states for
effectively connecting kids with coverage. CCF’s Jocelyn Guyer
reassures those striving to bring home a bonus that there is enough
money left to cover all eligible states and encourages them to keep
going full steam ahead. • Blog: Tapping Medicaid Performance Funds - No Need to Worry
(4/11/11)
CMS Issues Guidance on State Employee CHIP Eligibility
For years federal funding was not available to states to enroll
eligible children of state employees in the Children's Health Insurance
Program (CHIP). It was assumed that state employees had access to
affordable, comprehensive insurance but, over time, that myth has been
dispelled. CMS issued guidance to states interested in pursuing this
option made available to them through the Affordable Care Act. • Blog: Guidance Issued on CHIP Eligibility for Children of State Employees
(4/5/11)
Updated Research on Medicaid Reform in Florida
Joan Alker and Jack Hoadley, of the Georgetown Health Policy Institute
(HPI), released their latest updates on Florida’s experience with
Medicaid Reform. These two publications add to the ongoing HPI project
commissioned by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund to research Florida’s
Medicaid program. The first publication looks at the inconclusive
results since Florida began its pilot Medicaid program in 2006 and the
second one looks at the impact of health reform on the state.• As Legislators Wrestle to Define Next Generation of Florida Medicaid, Benefits of Reform Effort Are Far From Clear • Understanding Florida Medicaid Today And the Impact of Federal Health Care Reform • Blog: A Closer Look at Florida's Medicaid Program
(4/5/11)
CHIPRA Performance Bonuses are “Game Changer”
CHIPRA performance bonuses have proved to be a “game changer” for
children’s health coverage, according to Jon Gould of the Children’s
Health Alliance. He explains how the performance bonus has helped
protect gains made in children’s coverage in Washington state. • Blog: Using CHIPRA Bonus Payments in Advocacy