Recent Releases and Announcements
Dear State Medicaid Directors and Stakeholders:
Given advances in technology, CMS is modernizing how we communicate and transmit information. This will allow you to manage your subscriptions as well as your designees. With this change, notifications about state Medicaid director letters (SMDLs) will no longer originate from CMSCMS_SMD@cms.hhs.gov. Instead they will be transmitted through Medicaid.gov@subscriptions.cms.hhs.gov, which is where you receive our CMCS Informational Bulletins and SOTA updates.
To ensure that there will not be an interruption with the notification of the SMDLs, please make sure to sign-up using through Gov Delivery and check the box next to “CMCS Informational Bulletin.”
Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program
DUE DATE EXTENDED: Expression of Interest Forms Due March 9, 2018
Data Analytic Technical Support for State Medicaid Agencies
The Medicaid IAP’s Data Analytics functional area is launching a new technical support opportunity for state Medicaid agencies to assist in building their data analytic capacity as they design and implement delivery system reforms. This opportunity is open to states at all levels of expertise and experience in data analytics. States will collaborate with IAP to receive this one-on-one data analytic technical support in one or more of the following areas:
- Developing a data analytic strategy for analyzing a state’s Medicaid program Examples include: Identifying and understanding various data sources related to a state’s Medicaid population (e.g., enrollment, utilization rates, and costs by beneficiary type or subpopulations) and how they can be best utilized.
- Using data to drive programmatic decision-making Examples include: Developing and executing strategies to identify key data sources, summarize data, and create reports with data visualization for decision makers.
- Improving statistical programming and data modeling skills Examples include: Improving efficiencies in data management, support in choosing statistical software, selecting statistical tests and data models through state coaching and code review.
- Integrating Medicaid data with other data sets (excluding Medicare) Examples include: Linking Medicaid claims with housing records or public health data, reviewing data dictionaries and manuals to offer recommendations.
- Developing transfer protocols for sharing data with stakeholders Examples include: Designing dashboards that allow for data manipulation and visualization while maintaining data security.
Review the Data Analytic Technical Support Program Overview (PDF, 595.52 KB) (PDF 595.52 KB) and Information Session Slides (PDF, 1.64 MB) (PDF 1.64 MB). Interested states are asked to complete and email the Expression of Interest (DOCX, 837.69 KB) (MS Word 837.69 KB) form by March 9, 2018.
Register Now: Medicaid IAP Information Session (March 14, 2018)
New Technical Support Opportunity for States: Value-Based Payment and Financial Simulations
The Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program’s Value-Based Payment (VBP) and Financial Simulation functional area is launching an 12-month technical support opportunity for up to 10 states seeking to design, develop, and implement Value-Based Payment approaches (i.e. payment models that range from rewarding for performance in Fee-for-Service to capitation, including alternative payment models and comprehensive population-based payments). Interested states are encouraged to attend the information session on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET.
During the information session, participants will learn about the goals, structure, and technical support approach for working with states on VBP and financial simulations. Selected states will have the opportunity to work with VBP and financial simulation experts through individualized technical support and state-to-state learning activities. This technical support opportunity is open to states at all levels of experience and progress in developing a VBP approach.
Register Now: Medicaid IAP National Learning Webinar (March 26, 2018)
Addressing Administrative and Regulatory Barriers to Physical and Mental Health Integration
CMS’s Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP) Physical and Mental Health Integration program area is hosting a national learning webinar on Monday, March 26, 2018 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm ET about addressing administrative and regulatory barriers to physical and mental health integration.
The webinar will feature speakers from two state Medicaid agencies, Arizona and New York, who will share how they are developing and improving current administrative and reimbursement strategies that promote integration. Speakers include Tom Betlach, Medicaid Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System; Keith McCarthy, Director, Bureau of Inspection and Certification, New York State Office of Mental Health; Trisha Shell-Guy, Deputy Counsel, New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services; and Shaymaa Mousa, MD, MPH, Empire State Fellow, Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management, New York State Department of Health.
Participants will also learn about key policy, financial, and operational building blocks for integration at the state level. The strategies presented on this webinar will be applicable to a variety of states interested in planning and implementing a physical and mental health integration approach, and working to better align administrative functions to support these efforts.
Upcoming Calls and Webinars
Medicaid DME FFP Limit Presentation
Effective January 1, 2018, the statute requires a limit to available FFP for state Medicaid fee-for-service expenditures for DME, per Section 1903(i)(27). The limit is calculated in the aggregate to the amount that Medicare would have paid for the same items through the Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule, or, as applicable, the Medicare competitive bidding program. The statute specifically applies to items of durable medical equipment that are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, and does not limit Medicaid's ability to provide DME that is not covered by Medicare. It does not include prosthetics, orthotics, or supplies. The statute also does not mandate that states pay Medicare rates for all Medicaid DME. This guidance was issued to provide options for states to comply with the statute.
Thursday, March 8 2018 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm ET
Audio option #1: 1-844-396-8222 Participant Code: 908 978 619
Audio option #2 and Webinar
Assisting Providers in Ensuring Settings Facilitate Community Inclusion
The objective of this training is to identify systems/methods to support providers in long-term system transformation; reinforce the person-centered thinking model as a cornerstone for community inclusion and stimulate discussion on creative approaches to initiate and sustain community inclusion. New Editions is currently the training lead through the Home & Community-Based Settings (HCB Settings) Contract overseen by the Division of Long Term Services & Supports (DLTSS) and will present the training. Ralph Lollar, DLTSS Division Director will support the training and lead the Q&A Session.
Wednesday, March 14 2018 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Audio Option #1: 1-844-396-8222 Your WebEx Meeting Number: 904 774 495
Audio Option #2 and Webinar
MACPro User Management Overview and In-System Demonstration
This session will demonstrate user management functions in MACPro and highlight new functionality, including task reassignment and role removal. This training is intended for MACPro users with role administration capabilities, including CMS System Administrators, CMS Role Approvers, Central Office Administrators, Senior Reviewers, and State System Administrators.
Thursday, March 15 2018 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
Audio option #1: 1-844-396-8222 Participant Code: 904 432 454
Audio option #2 and Webinar