CMS Approves of State of Washington Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration
April 14: CMS approved an amendment to the State of Washington's Medicaid section 1115(a) demonstration, titled “Medicaid Transformation Project." Approval of this demonstration amendment includes several improvements, like historic continuous eligibility for Medicaid children from the point they become eligible until they reach age six, regardless of income fluctuations or changes that would affect eligibility. The demonstration also expands the definition of transportation so eligible program participants can gain access to benefits, including community services and activities based on their service plan. The amendment is effective upon approval and will expire along with the demonstration on June 30, 2023. The approval letter can be found here.
Medicaid and CHIP Postpartum Coverage Expands to Rhode Island
April 19: CMS marked another important maternal health milestone by approving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) postpartum coverage expansion in Rhode Island, an opportunity made possible by the American Rescue Plan. With this approval, 32 states and D.C. have extended postpartum Medicaid/CHIP coverage to a full year. The approval letters can be found here for Medicaid, and here for CHIP.
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Information Collection Request Open for Public Comment
April 18: CMS issued its third data collection request process and invited public comments on data and information to be submitted in the negotiation process. This information collection request is open for public input for 60 days. Comments are due by June 30, 2023, and can be submitted at Regulations.gov.
Virtual Registration Is Still Available for CMS Health Equity Conference June 7-8
CMS’ inaugural Health Equity Conference, which will be held at Howard University on June 7 - 8, 2023, has been met with increased enthusiasm by the public. Registration remains open for all interested in attending virtually. Due to the overwhelming response, registration for in-person attendance is now closed, however, names are still being added to the waitlist, and people on the waitlist will be contacted as additional in-person space becomes available. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear the most up-to-date research on health equity, discuss promising practices and innovative solutions, collaborate on community engagement efforts, and share lessons learned. Registration and waitlist information can be found on the conference website.
CMS Hosting its 2023 Quality Conference May 1-3
Registration is still open for the 2023 CMS Quality Conference “Building Resilient Communities: Having an Equitable Foundation for Quality Health Care,” which will be held on May 1 - 3, 2023. This virtual conference convenes leaders across the health care spectrum to explore how patients, advocates, providers, researchers, and champions in health care quality improvement can develop and spread solutions to address America’s most pervasive health system challenges. Information about the conference, and a link to the registration site, can be found here.