Say Ahhh!
A Health Policy Blog
Final Medicaid Managed Care Rule Explained
CMS recently finalized two key regulations: “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” (Access Rule) and “Medicaid, CHIP Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality” (Managed Care Rule), aimed at improving access to care in Medicaid across delivery systems (fee-for-service and managed care) and authorities (state plan and waiver services). The Managed Care Rule addresses five primary areas: […]
New Federal Rules Aim to Improve Access to Care for People Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and CHIP provide health insurance coverage to more than 84 million people, including low-income children, families, seniors, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. While Medicaid has a proven track record of providing affordable, high quality health care, stakeholders have long sought better transparency and accountability with respect to access to services. CMS recently finalized […]
New Report Focuses on Child Health Coverage Declines and What States Can do to Help Reconnect Kids with Medicaid/CHIP
As our nation approaches another sad milestone with nearly 5 million fewer children enrolled in Medicaid, we released a report looking at how states have responded to the challenge of the Medicaid “unwinding” process. With approximately half of the nation’s children enrolled in Medicaid, the stakes are very high for children and the providers who […]
Postpartum Coverage and Benefits Key, But Merely the Start of Needed Medicaid Work to Address Maternal Health Crisis
Federal and state leaders have prioritized maternal health in Medicaid in recent years with welcome (if overdue) attention. As Say Ahhh! readers know, the new state option to extend postpartum coverage to 12 months for all pregnant women in Medicaid has been adopted or is in progress in all but two states (AR and WI) […]
State Momentum on Medicaid Doula Coverage, Rate Increases
Doula care continues to be a hot topic as our nation struggles to address the current maternal and infant health crises. Research has shown that doulas help reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality rates and help improve perinatal mental health. Access to doula care services can be out of reach for […]
Wondering what’s in the recent Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and enrollment rule?
On April 2, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the second part of a two-part final rule that simplifies the eligibility and enrollment processes for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program (BHP). The rule eliminates certain access barriers for children enrolled in CHIP; makes transitions […]