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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
MASSACHUSETTS IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

August 7, 2012
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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.

Grants and Demonstrations

 

The ACA provides funding opportunities to transform how health care is delivered, expand access to care and support healthcare workforce training.

 

Grant and Demonstration Announcements

 

Affordable Care Act - Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program- §5508. Announced August 3, 2012. Funding is available to teaching health centers for direct and indirect expenses associated with training primary care medical and dental residents in community-based ambulatory patient care centers for academic year 2013. Eligible applicants are community-based ambulatory patient care centers that operate a primary care medical or dental (general or pediatric) residency program. Approximately $19.2M in 18 awards is available; funding for the program will be formula-based. HHS has not yet finalized the methodology.

Applications are due September 28, 2012.

The announcement can be viewed at: HRSA

 

Grant Activity

 

On July 31, 2012 the Executive Office of Elder Affairs submitted an application to the Administration on Aging for an Elder Abuse Prevention Interventions Program grant under §2042 and §4002 of the ACA. Funding is available to test, measure and implement new approaches for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Two types of projects will be funded through this announcement. Applicants choosing the first option will pilot test interventions for elderly populations at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The second option will study elder abuse in Native American communities. Elder Affairs is applying for the first of these two opportunities.

 

If awarded, the Elder Affairs Protective Services division will use the funds to expand the Bank Reporting Project protocols and training to include procedures for bankers doing business with individuals who are at risk of financial self-neglect or exploitation due to Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Additionally, Elder Affairs will build on the banking protocols and curriculum to develop a set of procedures and training for financial planners working with investors who are at financial risk due to dementia or cognitive impairment. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Association of Financial Planners of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Massachusetts Bankers Association, and the Office of the Attorney General the projects plans to reach a minimum of 500 financial planners during the three year grant period. 

 

Elder Affairs will also hire a Financial Specialist to pre-screen referrals to Protective Services to identify cases where a consumer's finances are in immediate peril and make recommendations for emergency procedures. Elder Affairs will work with a national evaluator from the Administration on Aging, as well as other State Units on Aging throughout the country in order to develop a nationwide evaluation of the project intervention.

 

The project narrative can be viewed on our website under the Grants and Demonstrations section at: Mass.Gov

  

On July 27, 2012 the Department of Public Health (DPH) submitted an application to the CDC (Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention)for a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Supplement grant under §4002 of the ACA.

 

Funding is available to current grantees to measure the behavioral public health impact through surveillance, assessment and evaluation efforts. Supplemental funding will allow BRFSS to add key questions to the 2013 BRFSS survey questionnaire which will allow precise estimates from participating states and territories and many localities (counties, cities, etc).

 

If awarded, DPH will use the funds to include the CDC Health Care Reform questions as part of the Massachusetts BRFSS core survey. This will facilitate the comparison of Massachusetts' unique state efforts with emerging reform efforts throughout the country. In addition, the supplemental funds will assist the national Health Survey Program in expanding its ability to examine the impact of health care reform on underserved subpopulations.

 

The project narrative can be viewed on our website under the Grants and Demonstrations section at: Mass.Gov   

 

Guidance

 

8/7/12 CMS published an ACA-related notice called "Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System; Update for Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2012." This notice applies to portions of §3401.

 

This notice updates the prospective payment rates for Medicare inpatient hospital services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs). These changes are applicable to IPF discharges occurring during the fiscal year (FY) beginning October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013.

 

Read the notice at: GPO

  

8/2/12 CMS published an ACA-related notice called "Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities for FY 2013." The notice applies to portions of §10325 and §3401.

 

The notice updates the payment rates used under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities, for fiscal year 2013.

 

Read the notice at: GPO

  

Prior guidance can be viewed at: www.healthcare.gov

 

News

  

8/6/12 IRS/Treasury published a notice of hearing on proposed regulations related to the Branded Prescription Drug Fee imposed by the §9008 of the ACA. The proposed regulations provide guidance on the annual fee imposed on each covered entity engaged in the business of manufacturing or importing branded prescription drugs.

 

Under the requirement, a non-deductible annual flat fee of $2.3 billion is imposed on the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. The fee is allocated across the industry according to market share and is not applied to companies with sales of branded pharmaceuticals of $5 million or less.

 

Comments on the proposed regulations were due November 16, 2011.

A hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for November 9, 2012. Please see the notice for more information about the hearing.

Read the notice at: GPO

Read the proposed regulations (which published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2011) at: GPO

  

8/2/12 HHS announced $2.3 million in grant funding to twelve institutions under the Physician Assistant Training in Primary Care Program authorized by §5301 of the ACA. The purpose of the funding is to train primary care physician assistants (PAs) and help veterans transition from the military to civilian PA careers when they return from combat.

 

According to HHS, the initiative is designed to increase the number of physician assistant graduates who become primary care clinicians and teachers. The 5-year grants support educational programs that train PAs to practice in primary care settings, and help individuals who will teach primary care in PA training programs, preparing students to enter practice in primary care settings. Under the program, HHS gave funding priority to universities and colleges that have strong education programs for veteran applicants and students. This includes model programs that offer expedited curricula for veterans that recognize the medical training and experience gained during military service.

 

Included among the list of the institutions receiving grants is Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Bay Path College received an $188,741 grant.

 

See the full list of awardees at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/08/20120802a.html

Read the original funding opportunity announcement at: HRSA

For more information on the grant program visit: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/grants/medicine/patpc.html

For more information on HHS efforts that support veterans visit: Whitehouse

 

7/30/12 The FDA announced that Jonica Bull will succeed acting Director Michelle Yeboah and head the agency's Office of Minority Health (OMH). OMH, which was established in 2010 by §10334 of the ACA, serves as the principal advisor to the Commissioner on minority health and health disparities. According to the FDA, OMH seeks to advance the regulatory mission of the agency in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities and achieving the highest standard of health for all.

  

Learn more about OMH at: FDA.GOV

 

Upcoming Events 

 

Quarterly Affordable Care Act Implementation Stakeholder Meeting

Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM

1 Ashburton Place, 21st Floor

Boston, MA

 

Money Follows the Person Stakeholder Meeting

August 15, 2012, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Worcester Senior Center

128 Providence Street

Worcester, MA 01545

 

Free parking is available at the Worcester Senior Center parking lot located behind the Center and is accessible from Spurr Street. Handicapped parking is available in this lot as well as along the front entrance driveway off of Providence Street.Please contact MFP@state.ma.us to RSVP and to request reasonable accommodations. Although RSVPs are greatly appreciated, they are not required.

 

An MFP 101 introductory session will also be at the Worcester Senior Center and will begin at 1:30 p.m. on August 15, 2012. 

 

 

Bookmark the Massachusetts National Health Care Reform website at: http://mass.gov/national health reform to read updates on ACA implementation in Massachusetts.

 

Remember to check http://mass.gov/masshealth/duals for information on the "Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligible Individuals" initiative.