The NDNRC newsletter will be published on a biweekly basis until the end of the summer.
Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF) posted an explainer on the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)’s mental health and substance use conditions provisions and guidance related to improving the behavioral health workforce.
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) alongside the Lakeshore Foundation joined Mental Health America in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in requesting guidance for recent Medicaid enhancements for peer support workers in the behavioral health workforce, specifically providing peer support for those with mental health and substance use conditions.
AAHD highlighted this act called the PEERS in Medicare Act in their policy highlights. This legislation would help expand peer support services through the expansion of Medicare billing.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) conducted a behavioral health survey of state Medicaid programs, surveying state Medicaid officials on services provided and challenges that their agencies have encountered. This survey found higher coverage rates for mobile crisis and crisis stabilization units but lower coverage for crisis hotlines under adult fee-for-service Medicaid, along with workforce shortages, training issues, telehealth limitations, and a need for increased funding.
CCF reviewed the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services rule and the Medicaid, CHIP Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality rule. This covered the fee-for-service payment rate transparency rule and the importance of subregulatory guidance.
The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities (CBPP) will be hosting a webinar on June 11 at 2 PM ET on “Ensuring Equitable Access to Coverage for LGBTQ+ People.” This webinar will describe the new ACA regulation and the new sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions, which includes what the regulation covers and how the SOGI questions are designed.
![Alt Text: [From our Coalition’s Letter of support: “We strongly believe that the passage of the PEERS in Medicare Act is crucial at a time when behavioral health care needs are at historic highs. The expansion of available peer support services will play an important role in addressing the current behavioral health crisis especially in rural and underserved areas and this bill will do just that.” Read the full letter under Policy Updates at AAHD.us. Post by the American Association on Health and Disability.]](https://nationaldisabilitynavigator.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Newsletter-Images-1.png)
As of May 23, states have reported renewal outcomes for more than half of those enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP, according to data from the KFF with 22.5 million renewals still remaining. 24% of those who completed the renewal process were disenrolled and 49.3 million enrollees were able to qualify for renewed coverage. The large range of disenrollment rates in each state varies, with the highest of 55% being in Utah and the lowest of 13% in Maine and North Carolina. Out of all states with available data, 69% of all those disenrolled were due to procedural reasons.
KFF highlighted the importance of dental services for those enrolled in CHIP/Medicaid. This issue brief found that lack of state Medicaid coverage of dental benefits directly impacts rates of dental service use for non-elderly adults and expanded coverage would increase access to dental care.
CBPP conducted a research analysis on temporary waivers that would allow a state to enroll or renew individuals in Medicaid based on whether they use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This process has helped renew Medicaid coverage through the ex parte process.
CCF explained a new Medicaid Managed Care Regulation to address health-related social needs, known as “In Lieu of Services.” New oversights of ILOS can help increase flexibility in usage and help improve overall health outcomes for those who utilize these services.
Check out our blog series that documents the 2024 finalized rules for Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act! We covered what this new rule states and how it affects people with disabilities (PWDs), discriminatory benefit designs, and covered entities.
Want to learn more about Medicaid? KFF created a health policy 101 look at Medicaid! This comprehensive page includes Medicaid evolvement over time, who is covered, what are the included benefits, and much more!
Make sure to nominate yourself or a deserving colleague for one of the annual American Public Health Association’s Disability Section Awards. The deadline for nominations is TODAY, Friday, May 31 at 11:59 PM PT.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website. Follow us on Twitter/X at @NDNRC!