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CMS won’t add new Medicaid accountability rule

MM Curator summary

Industry opposition has officially killed the last effort to reform entrenched Medicaid financing schemes.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

CMS has officially withdrawn its proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability rule.

CMS proposed the rule in November 2018. It aimed to promote transparency and fiscal integrity by establishing new reporting requirements for state supplemental payments to Medicaid providers.

But last August, some hospital associations called on CMS to withdraw the rule, arguing that it could exacerbate the challenges U.S. hospitals.

The hospital associations, including America’s Essential Hospitals and the American Health Care Association, argued that finalizing the rule would introduce “unprecedented restrictions on states’ ability to fund their share of the Medicaid program” at a time when hospitals are facing challenges and an uncertain future due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CMS Administrator Seema Verma tweeted last September that the agency would move to scrap the rule after listening to concerns from hospitals and other stakeholders.

The action taken by CMS officially withdraws the rule. The document officially withdrawing it is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register Jan. 19. 

“Today I took action to withdraw the proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability rule from the federal register,” Ms. Verma tweeted. “While we support its intent, further work is needed to ensure accountability for states while protecting critical safety-net care for vulnerable patients.” 

Clipped from: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/cms-won-t-add-new-medicaid-accountability-rule.html

 
 

 
 

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Medicaid transformation initiative remains on pace for July 1 launch (NC)

MM Curator summary

North Carolina is set to roll out managed care for the first time this July.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

The ambitious Medicaid transformation initiative remains on track for a July 1 debut, state health officials told legislators Tuesday.

Dave Richard, the state’s deputy secretary for Medicaid, said that “we’re on target, we’re on schedule and our commitment to you is that we’re going to do everything possible” to go live with the managed care plans.

At stake with Medicaid transformation: three-year prepaid health plan contracts for four insurers that are projected to be worth $6 billion a year starting with the 2021-22 fiscal year which begins July 1.

With two optional one-year extensions, a contract could be worth a total of $30 billion — among the largest vendor contracts awarded in state history.

The state Department of Health and Human Services announced in February 2019 that the four PHPs are Centene (operating as WellCare of N.C.), AmeriHealth Caritas N.C., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. (operating as Healthy Blue) and UnitedHealth Group.

The next rollout steps are an online tool launching Jan. 25 that lists providers and the four PHPs, and insurers submitting their tailored plans by Feb. 2.

Statewide enrollment is projected to begin March 15 and end May 14. There is a 90-day “change period” that allows beneficiaries to switch PHPs. 

 
 

Clipped from: https://journalnow.com/news/local/medicaid-transformation-initiative-remains-on-pace-for-july-1-launch/article_0a710280-55ab-11eb-9824-5701b0d4908b.html

 
 

 
 

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Corrado Bill Raising Reimbursement Rates for Medicaid Private Duty Nurses Advances (NJ)

MM Curator summary

New Jersey legislation would raise home-based nursing care rates by about 50%.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would boost minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates paid for private duty nursing services (PDN) was advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

PDN services are individualized nursing tasks provided by licensed nurses on a continuous basis in the homes of certain qualifying patients.

“Skilled medical professionals are delivering high-quality, in-home care, but reimbursement rates have failed to keep up with the true cost of services,” said Corrado. “Thousands of residents rely on PDN nurses to improve their health and maintain their standard of living. To ensure a reliable roster of skilled nurses to meet the need, it makes sense to escalate reimbursement rates to a level that more reasonably reflects the work. Reimbursing more money to the providers will allow them to increase pay to the hard-working professionals caring for patients.”

The bill, S-2191, is also sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg. It would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for PDN services provided in the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or through a managed care delivery system. The minimum reimbursement for services rendered by a registered professional nurse would increase to not less than $60 per hour, and $48 per hour for a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Under current State regulations, the maximum Medicaid reimbursement rate is not more than $40 per hour when a registered nurse provides the services, and not more than $28 for an LPN.

The bill will require all providers that receive reimbursement for PDN services under a Medicaid managed care contract to annually report to the State Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) regarding the use of funds as reimbursement for the healthcare workers.

 

Clipped from: https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/corrado-bill-raising-reimbursement-rates-medicaid-private-duty-nurses-advances/

 
 

 
 

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Info of hundreds of Wisconsin Medicaid members may have been exposed

MM Curator summary

A data breach in Wisconsin may have revealed personal health information of 1,200 members.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

(WCAX)

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) – The personal information of hundreds of Wisconsin Medicaid participants may have been exposed.

Gainwell Technologies LLC has announced that an “unauthorized individual” gained access to an account on Oct. 29, 2020. The tech firm says that may have exposed names, member identification numbers and billing codes.

Gainwell provides services to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Medicaid Program.

On Jan. 15, notifications were sent to 1,281 Wisconsin Medicaid members who may have had their information exposed.

These members are being offered free credit monitoring for one year.

The hack was discovered on Nov. 16. Gainwell says it has been working with DHS to prevent future incidents.

 
 

Clipped from: https://www.wsaw.com/2021/01/15/info-of-hundreds-of-wisconsin-medicaid-members-may-have-been-exposed/

 
 

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Artificial intelligence machine was able to dupe Medicaid.gov

MM Curator summary

A bot submitted half the public comments on a proposed Medicaid program change.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

Deepfake text manipulation has the power to throw governmental agencies off, a Harvard medical student has shown.

Public feedback is a crucial element of shaping and carrying out state and federal level programs. Your responses, as a civilian, inform how these governmental agencies go forward (or not) with policy decisions. At least, that’s what the idea of public feedback is based on. But deepfake text manipulation — just like deepfake videos and photos — has the ability to dupe even the smartest of observers, Wired reports.

A Harvard medical student named Max Weiss proved this in 2019. Back then, Idaho had plans to change its Medicaid program. It needed federal approval to do so, which required public input fed into Medicaid.gov. The state government sought public responses and became Weiss’ little science experiment, in which he used an OpenAI program, GPT-2, to generate nearly-believable responses on the issue. Out of approximately 1,000 comments put into Medicaid.gov that round, half of them came from Weiss’ artificial intelligence machine. When he asked volunteers to differentiate between the real and fake ones, Wired says the volunteers “did no better than random guessing.”

The nightmare of automated responses — With its sophisticated and advanced language system, Weiss’ bot created responses that had no problem sneaking under Medicaid.gov’s radar.

It’s not a particularly difficult undertaking. The bot is repeatedly trained on human speech, phrasing, grammar, and syntax. It then tries to emulate that speech and create its own iterations in real-time. In response to the experiment of being duped by artificial intelligence, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services assured the public that the agency had implemented security programs to block such manipulation.

The need for manipulated text-detection tools — Image and text generation by artificial intelligence can be hit or miss. Sometimes the results are odd and creepy (like this bot that took captions and tried to create photos from them). Other times, these experiments can lead to silly or cute results. But deepfake text manipulation opens a host of security and privacy threats for not only governments but also everyday internet users.

Automated text campaigns have caused headaches for the federal government even before Weiss. In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission found that more than a million responses sent over net neutrality weren’t real.

As these bots get more advanced with intensive training, cybersecurity analysts will have to work on manipulated text-detection tools and programs that can spot the real input from the fake entries. In the era of political misinformation that has led to mass polarization and people believing conspiracy theories, these agencies can’t afford the potential pitfalls of not getting out in front of this problem.

 
 

Clipped from: https://www.inputmag.com/culture/artificial-intelligence-machine-was-able-to-dupe-medicaidgov

 
 

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Colorado public option bill sponsor says the proposal will be reintroduced this year

MM Curator summary

The Colorado public option is back on the table, with perhaps a few changes since we last saw it in March 2020.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

The Colorado Senate sponsor of last year’s public option health insurance proposal said that she definitely plans to resurrect the idea in the soon-to-convene 2021 legislative session, though she acknowledged that details could be different from the derailed 2020 effort.

Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, seemed to quell speculation that Democrats might be moving on from the idea when she said during the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce legislative preview event Tuesday that she and sponsoring Rep. Dylan Roberts, R-Avon, are “in the initial phases” of drafting a new bill. And while Donovan, the Senate president pro tempore, didn’t offer details as to how this new proposal would be shaped, she did say that it “will look different than last year’s bill.”

The 2020 proposal would have required any insurer offering private plans within a county also to offer a public option plan that kept premiums below market rates by reimbursing health care providers at 155% of Medicaid rates — a level much lower than many now charge. Colorado Hospital Association leaders opposed the bill, saying that it would weaken the state health care system by taking money out of it, and business leaders were concerned that it would shift the cost of care to people in private employer-provided plans.

That bill received approval from its first legislative committee the week before the state declared the coronavirus pandemic to be a public health emergency, and it was shelved after the Legislature adjourned for more than two months, as officials sought to concentrate on limited Covid-focused bills upon their return. After the 2020 session, several Democratic leaders implied that they would need to rethink whether it was part of future reform efforts, but Donovan and House Speaker Alec Garnett both seemed to say Tuesday that it will be part of a renewed focus on ways to lower health care costs for more Coloradans.

Sen. Kerry Donovan, Rep. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Chris Kennedy present the Colorado Option bill in 2020.

Jensen Werley

Clipped from: https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2021/01/12/colorado-public-option-health-insurance-donovan.html

 
 

 
 

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CMS Releases Guidance on Funding for SDH Programs

MM Curator summary

 

The 51-page new guidance layouts several details CMS will use to assess whether state programs are complying with Medicaid rules re: addressing non-healthcare costs.

 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 

 

Clipped from: https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/sho21001.pdf

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Sonic Youth- Dirty, 1992

 
 

 
 

Lets work together today while we listen to this same album. Warning- most people will not like this album. But you probably know someone who does (it did make it to 83 on Billboard’s Top 100 in 1992).

 
 

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B000W1QX5S

 
 

This is a time machine back to a very different time. If you are a middle-aged former (never former!) punk rawker, you need this. This album came out summer of 1992. I don’t know about you, but that was a pretty great one for me. I was 15 years old and had just received a 1964.5 Ford Mustang. And I secretly taught myself to drive it during the days that summer, while my parents were at work.

 
 

But back to this album. If punk and grunge had a baby, and sent that baby to reform school where it hung out with some art-rock kids – this album is that baby.

 
 

Enjoy. Its ok to listen loud, fellow humans.

 
 

 
 

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Quality and Risk Adjustment Manager

 
 

Position:

Quality and Risk Adjustment Manager

Position Summary:

The Quality and Risk Adjustment Manager, PHSO, is the subject matter expert and lead in developing and facilitating the implementation of new and existing healthcare Quality and Risk Adjustment strategies for a PHSO client. This position advises the client on quality and risk adjustment initiatives and provides support for program planning, patient campaigns, outreach tactics, and educational programs; conducts data collection; and reports and monitors key performance measurement activities for both quality and risk adjustment.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities

  • Manage a comprehensive and coordinated Quality and Risk Adjustment strategy for our PHSO client by: developing data mining strategies; facilitating collection methodology and an effective quality and risk adjustment program; standardizing gap closure workflows and strategies; providing support for patient campaigns, and facilitating the development and implementation of Quality and Risk Adjustment programs for internal and external PHSO clients.
  • Develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships through effective and timely communication.
  • Synthesize and organize data, present information, and provide executive summary of material.
  • Take initiative and action to respond, resolve and follow up regarding quality and risk adjustment with internal and external customers in a timely manner with outstanding customer service.
  • Develop and maintain an expert level of knowledge of PHSO Quality metrics (such as MSSP, HEDIS, MA 5-Star, NQF) and MA, ACA, and Medicaid risk-based reimbursement methodologies.
  • Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional societies.
  • Oversee and improve the various quality and risk adjustment processes.
  • Assist client with development of a comprehensive Risk Adjustment and Quality strategy and work plan, including workflow, outcome measures and performance evaluation.
  • Facilitate the development of key quality and risk adjustment key performance indicators.
  • Present quality performance results and findings regularly, including the overall measure performance, improvement strategies and tactics.
  • Serve as a quality and risk adjustment subject matter expert for internal and external clients.
  • Support activities of the PCV (Preventative Care Visit), patient outreach, and physician educational campaigns.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree; BSN, LPN, RHIA preferred
  • 5+ years of experience in Quality Management and experience in HEDIS, MIPS/MSSP, and MA 5-Star, preferably in a health system or clinic setting
  • 3+ years demonstrated management and team development skills
  • 3+ years’ experience and proven success managing, implementing and auditing clinical quality programs
  • 3+ years’ experience within healthcare, health plan, or health system, including payer, hospitals, Medicare/Medicaid, provider environment, or managed care
  • Knowledge of Risk Adjustment Payment methodologies; understanding of CMS HCC, HHC, and Medicaid
  • Medicare Advantage knowledge strongly preferred
  • Proficiency with clinical data management and statistical quality tools
  • Analytical and quantitative problem solving skills; the ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions and devise appropriate courses of action
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to present in front of a group
  • Excellent organizational capabilities with ability to work effectively as a team player
  • Strong aptitude for critical thinking and demonstrated data skills
  • Capable of meeting deadlines and executing projects with minimal supervision
  • Willingness to acquire new knowledge from an unfamiliar domain
  • Ability to manage multiple job functions, priorities, and deadlines under pressure with shifting priorities in an expedient and decisive manner
  • Ability to collaborate and work with all professional levels, internally and externally
  • Detail oriented
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook

Working Conditions

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in normal office working conditions.

Disclaimer

  • The job description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The physical activities, demands and working conditions represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

Lumeris is an EEO/AA employer M/F/V/D.

Location:

Remote – MO

Time Type:

Full time

 
 

From <https://lumeris.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/LC/job/Remote—MO/Quality-and-Risk-Adjustment-Manager_R0004035?mode=job&iis=Indeed.com&iisn=Indeed.com>

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Medicaid Program Manager (MAPS2/MPOI)

*Please Note: This position is open until filled. Application assessment will be ongoing and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible. *

 
 

The ideal candidate for this position will have program management and/or consultative experience in health services, social services or Medicaid programs. 

 
 

Position Objective:

This position participates in the design and development of programs and contracts, and the daily oversight and management of them. This includes policy promulgation, developing strategic recommendations, contract development and federal negotiations for Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) design and implementation; program and contract monitoring, developing and maintaining program guidance, developing manuals and training materials, developing and conducting program training and presentations, and providing technical assistance. This position may assist other program managers in completing these or other activities.

 
 

This position is responsible for participating in management of the Washington State Courts Juvenile Service Divisions (WSCJSD) Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) program. MAC programs are a state-federal partnership which provider reimbursement to government contractors for the time they spend supporting the Medicaid State Plan. MAC programs are authorized through a federally approved CAP which describes the program and the methodology used to determine eligible reimbursements. This position supports other MAC programs in the unit, as well as reimbursement contracts with state agencies. This position may be assigned and be directly responsible for specific components of these programs.

 
 

Some of what you will do:

  • Responsible for using independent judgment and program subject matter expertise and knowledge to develop, write, and oversee all aspects of assigned MAC programs and reimbursement contracts including business requirements, policy promulgation, contract and CAP development, contract execution, claiming processes, program and contract monitoring, claim payment, writing and maintaining  program manuals, training materials, and developing provider and stakeholder training to ensure the HCA’s MAC time study and claiming processes are in compliance with federal guidelines.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of applicable state and federal rules and regulations; consults with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as required.  Utilize expert analysis of new and emerging federal and state regulations to determine the impact or need to make changes to assigned MAC programs.
  • Provide professional and technical subject matter expertise and guidance for developing, writing, implementing, and overseeing policies and procedures having statewide impact on assigned MAC programs and reimbursement contracts.
  • Responsible for independent judgment and program subject matter expertise to provide professional and technical expertise and guidance, consultation and recommendations for the design, development, testing and use of the numerous processes, and methods involved in the time study, claim calculations, and other aspects of MAC programs and reimbursement contracts.
  • Designing, developing, writing, implementing, evaluating and improving monitoring tools and processes.
  • Represent HCA and the state in negotiations with state and federal partners on major, substantive, and innovative MAC program methods and related federal law impacting HCA.
  • Provide related MAC program and time study system training to external stakeholders, internal managers and work units as needed.
  • Plan, design, develop, write, schedule, test, implement, evaluate and improve program policy and procedures for assigned MAC program business requirements and operational processes.
  • Plan, design, develop, write, schedule, implement, evaluate and improve on-going training relating to program modifications needed to ensure assigned MAC programs are in compliance with federal guidelines.

 
 

Here is what we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

A Master’s degree with major study in public health, public administration, social work, or closely related field and two years of supervisory or consultative experience in health services, social services or Medicaid programs.

(Two additional years of qualifying experience will substitute for the required Master’s degree provided a Bachelor’s degree has been achieved)   

OR

A Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience administrating one or more statewide policies or programs of an agency or agency subdivision. 

OR

Additional qualifying experience may substitute year for year, for required education.

 
 

Desirable/Preferred Qualifications:

Communicate and work effectively with a broad range of program and fiscal managers and staff, contractors, and their agents, legislators and legislative staff, and other stakeholders.

 
 

Highly capable of working in multiple environments such as remotely and in office.

 
 

Highly capable of mastering virtual platforms and utilizing multiple different platforms on a daily basis.

 
 

Coordinate and track multiple, diverse activities and work independently with limited supervision.

 
 

Strong ability to complete assignments with limited or ambiguous guidance.

 
 

Make clear, understandable written, graphic and verbal directions.

 
 

Highly independent, self learner, with ability to easily transition between group and independent assignments.

 
 

Make presentations consisting of cost/benefit, process improvement and similar analyses and policy recommendations; capable of learning new analytics tools.

 
 

Envision and develop timely program plans and monitoring of results.

 
 

Write clear and concise reports.

 
 

About the HCA: 

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

 
 

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

 
 

What we have to offer:

  • Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA 
  • A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA’s Mission, Vision & Values
  • A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
  • Infants in the workplace Infants at the Workplace Video
  • A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
  • A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby. 
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • And free parking! 

 
 

About Olympia and Washington State:

Washington State offers a total work/life package of pay, benefits, flexibility, and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and out of life. Washington State is a great place to work, play, and be a part of a community, offering quality of life that is unsurpassed. From the high energy urban center of Seattle, one of the nation’s top ranked cities, to the more relaxed pace of our rural communities, Washington’s distinctive Northwest lifestyle blends a progressive, creative culture with a casual nature.

 
 

How to Apply: 

 Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered.  Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.  To apply for this position you will need to complete your profile and attach:

  • A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position. 
  • Current resume 
  • Three professional references

 
 

 Washington State is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources Office at 360.725.1761 or email Dennis.Lienemann@hca.wa.gov.

 
 

 *Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. *

 
 

From <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2931459/medicaid-program-manager-maps2-mpoi>