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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
MASSACHUSETTS IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
September 14, 2011
(REVISED 9/15/11) |
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These Updates, published by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) in consultation with the other state agencies involved in ACA implementation, will bring you news related to the implementation of provisions of the ACA here in Massachusetts. |
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Grants and Demonstrations
The ACA provides funding opportunities to transform how health care is delivered, expand access to care and support healthcare workforce training.
State Balancing Incentive Payments Program
Announced 9/12/11. §10202 of the ACA created the Balancing Incentive Program which provides a strong financial incentive to stimulate greater access to non-institutionally based long-term services and supports (LTSS). This provision will assist States in transforming their long-term care systems by improving systems performance and efficiency, creating tools to facilitate person-centered assessment and care-planning, as well as enhancing quality measurement and oversight. In addition, the Balancing Incentive Program provides new opportunities to serve more individuals in home and community-based settings, adding to the available tools for realization of the integration directive included in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as upheld by the Olmstead decision. Total funding over the four-year period (October 2011 - September 2015) cannot exceed $3 billion in Federal increased matching payments. Applications for participation in the Balancing Incentive Payments Program opportunity will be accepted on an ongoing basis beginning October 1, 2011 through August 1, 2014 or until the full provision of the $3 billion has been expended, whichever is earlier.
Read the grant announcement at: https://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/Final-BIPP-Application.pdf. Read the State Medicaid Directors' letter on this opportunity at: https://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/11-010.pdf.
Affordable Care Act Capital Development - Immediate Facility Improvements Program (§10503). Announced 9/9/2011. Eligible applicants are non profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. This announcement details the competitive Affordable Care Act funding opportunity available for existing Health Center Program grantees to address immediate and pressing capital needs within existing section 330-funded health centers. Estimated $100 million in 250 awards through competitive one-time grants to existing health centers receiving grants under the Health Center Program (section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS), 42 U.S.C. 254b, as amended).Applications are due: 10/12/11.
The announcement can be viewed at: HRSA
Guidance
9/9/11 CMS is requesting information regarding section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act, which provides States with the option to establish a Basic Health Program. This option permits States to enter into contracts to offer one or more "standard health plans" providing at least the essential health benefits described in section 1302(b) of the Affordable Care Act to eligible individuals in lieu of offering such individuals coverage through the Exchange. Comments are due October 31, 2011 (REVISED 9/15/11). http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-14/pdf/2011-23388.pdf
News
On September 8 in the Blog Section of Healthcare.gov website, Don Berwick, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, wrote "Millions of Americans are enjoying improved Medicare coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act. More people are getting preventive services to keep them healthy, and people with high prescription drug costs are seeing the coverage gap "donut hole" starting to close." Below are data that Don Berwick describes. Included are the Massachusetts numbers.
- July:
- Through the end of July, 1.28 million Americans with Medicare have received discounts on brand name drugs in the Medicare Part D coverage gap - up from 899,000 through the end of June and 478,000 through the end of May.
- These discounts have saved seniors and people with disabilities a total of $660 million, including $199 million in July alone!
- There are 22,916 beneficiaries in Massachusetts who have taken advantage of the gap discount. To date, the gap discount in MA has totaled $11,522,693.41 (REVISED 9/15/11).
- August:
- Through the end of August, over 18.9 million people with Original Medicare, or 55.6 percent, have received one or more free preventive services.
- During the same time period, over 1.2 million Americans with Original Medicare have taken advantage of Medicare's new free Annual Wellness Visit, up from 1.06 million in July.
- 497,584 beneficiaries from Massachusetts enrolled in Medicare Part B sought free preventative services. This represents 60.80% of that Medicare population. In addition, 73,930 beneficiaries utilized the annual wellness benefit (new visit) - representing 9.70% of the MA Medicare population.
Upcoming Events
Next Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Implementation meeting
Monday October 17, 2011 from 11:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M.
1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Boston
Dual Eligibles in Massachusetts: A Profile of Health Care Services and Spending for Non-Elderly Adults Enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid
External Event sponsored by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI), a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
September 26th, 2011
9:00 - 9:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:00 AM Program
Omni Parker House, Kennedy Room
60 School Street
Boston, MA
Space for this event is limited. Please RSVP to MMPI@mjhcomm.com by September 21, 2011.
Consumer Focused Meeting
Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligible Individuals
September 27, 2011, 10am- 12 pm
1 Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Conference Room 3
Boston, MA
*please note the date change for the September meeting
Open Meeting
Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligible Individuals
October 11, 2011, 10am- 12 pm
State Transportation Building
Conference Rooms 2 & 3, Second Floor
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA |
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Bookmark the Massachusetts National Health Care Reform website at: www.mass.gov/nationalhealthreform to read updates on ACA implementation in Massachusetts.
Remember to check http://mass.gov/duals for information on the "Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligible Individuals" initiative. |
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