The announcement can be viewed at: Grants.gov.

 

Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Building and Strengthening Epidemiology, Laboratory and Health Information Systems Capacity in State and Local Health Departments. §4002, §4304. Announced 3/18/11. Second round funding for Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases award recipients. In FY2011, funding is to sustain activities initiated by 2010 awards, advance implementation of electronic laboratory reporting, build prevention and control capacity in healthcare associated infections, and conduct surveillance and effectiveness activities for vaccine preventable diseases. 58 awards totaling $47 million will be granted to continue funding to original award recipients. Proposals due 5/2/11.

The announcement can be viewed at: Grants.gov.  

 

Capacity Building Assistance to Strengthen Public Health Infrastructure and Performance. §4002. Announced 3/18/11. Non-competitive 12-month cost supplement extension to grantees of the original grant, including public health associations. Funding ranging from $60,000 to $700,000 will be awarded in three parts to various public health organizations. Proposals due 4/19/11.

The announcement can be viewed at: Grants.gov.

 

Grant Activity

 

The New England States Collaborative Insurance Exchange Systems project, consisting of a consortium of the six New England states led by Massachusetts that received a $35.5 million, 2 year "Early Innovator" grant from Health and Human Services (HHS), has developed a project website. The grant project, funded under §1311 of the ACA, will develop the information technology components that states can utilize to establish state exchanges. UMASS is supporting the states in this effort. Learn more at the project website at: http://www.nescies.org/

 

Guidance

 

3/21/11 HHS released the National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care under §3011 of the ACA. The National Quality Strategy is a strategic plan for improving the delivery of health care services, achieving better patient outcomes, and improving the health of the U.S. population.

Read the Federal Register notice at: http://www.ahrq.gov/workingforquality/

Read the HHS press release at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110321a.html

 

3/18/11 HHS issued final rules on Civil Money Penalties for Nursing Homes under §6111 of the ACA. The rule revises and expands current Medicare/Medicaid regulations regarding imposition and collection of civil money penalties on nursing homes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Comments are due 5/16/11.

Read the Federal Register notice at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-6144.pdf

 

3/18/11 HHS and the Departments of Labor and Treasury issued technical guidance (No. 2011-01) under §2701 through §2719A of the ACA, Extension of Non-Enforcement Period Relating to Certain Interim Procedures for Internal Claims and Appeals. The guidance modifies and extends the enforcement grace period to 1/1/12 for compliance with certain new provisions with respect to internal claims and appeals as previously set in interim regulations released in July, 2010.

For more information, read the DOL guidance at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/tr11-01.html

  

3/14/11 The Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury issued a proposed rule outlining the steps necessary for a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver in 2017 as provided for under §1332 of the ACA.

Note that in last week's Update, we incorrectly reported that under the proposed rule a state could apply early for waiver. 
 

The rule describes the criteria a state must meet in order to apply for a waiver in 2014 as laid out in §1332 if the ACA, including providing coverage that is at least as comprehensive and affordable to as many residents as the coverage that would be offered under new state-run health insurance exchanges and does not increase the federal deficit. The rule describes the application, review and reporting process for states as well as outlines how public notice should occur. Comments are due 5/13/11.

View the regulation at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-14/pdf/2011-5583.pdf

Note that the guidance listed in this section dates back to 3/14/11. Prior guidance can be viewed at www.healthcare.gov

News

 

3/22/11 HHS released a new report about how the ACA is lowering costs and improving care for people with Medicare. In Massachusetts, 70,328 Medicare beneficiaries have received a one time, tax free $250 rebate to help pay for prescriptions in the 'donut hole" coverage gap. In 2011, beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent discount for covered brand-name prescriptions in the donut hole.

Read the report at:

http://www.healthcare.gov/center/reports/medicare03222011a.html 

Read the blog post by CMS Administrator Don Berwick at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/22/better-benefits-better-health-seniors 

Read the press release at:

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/03/20110322a.html

 

3/22/11 Iowa became the 8th and most recent state to apply for a state waiver of the medical loss ratio (MLR) rules that require insurers to spend at least 80% on medical care. Iowa joins 7 other states that have applied for waivers including North Dakota, Georgia, Nevada, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Florida and Maine. Maine was granted a waiver on 3/8/11. For more information on states and the MLR requirements visit the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) website at:  http://cciio.cms.gov/programs/marketreforms/

3/21/11 the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center) re-launched its website: Innovations.cms.gov. Along with providing information about the Center's mission and operating process, the website provides ways for the Center to gather new ideas to improve the healthcare system for Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries.

 

3/21/11 the Small Business Administration released a memo to help businesses understand their eligibility for the ACA's tax credit.

Read the memo at: http://www.sba.gov/administrator/7608/14873

HHS released a new flyer for small businesses available at: Healthcare 
Read the HHS blog at: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/blog/Employers03212011a.html

3/16/11 HHS released a new report showing that in less than two months, more than 150,000 seniors and others with Medicare have received an annual wellness visit. As a result of the ACA, annual wellness visits, along with many other recommended services and preventive benefits covered by Medicare without a fee when obtained performed by a participating health care professional. The report also shows that this enhanced preventive benefits coverage will lower costs, including lowering Medigap premiums for employers, states and people with Medicare. Many more people with Medicare are expected to receive annual wellness visits and other recommended preventive services as a result of the ACA.

Read the report at: http://www.healthcare.gov/center/reports/prevention03162011a.html