Understanding the Role of Medicaid Managed Care Plans in Unwinding Pandemic-Era Continuous Enrollment: Perspectives from Safety-Net Plans February 13, 2023 Issue Brief This brief presents findings from a survey and roundtable discussion of Medicaid managed care plans about the role they may play in the unwinding of the pandemic-era continuous enrollment provision.
Gaps in Mental Health Care for Asian and Pacific Islander People and Other People of Color February 2, 2023 Blog Response to the victims and communities affected by recent mass shootings has increased national attention to mental health care for Asian and NHOPI people, groups that too often remain overlooked in data and policy discussions related to health disparities. In this analysis, we explore mental illness and low utilization of mental health services among Asian and NHOPI people.
How Recognizing Health Disparities for Black People is Important for Change February 13, 2023 Blog Ongoing racism and discrimination, police violence against and killings of Black people, and gun violence also negatively impact health and well-being of Black people. Black people’s repeated and chronic exposure to stressors associated with racism and discrimination drive rapid biological aging and poorer health outcomes.
2023 Update on Key Federal Immigration Policies and Implications for Health January 30, 2023 Issue Brief This issue brief provides the latest update on some key evolving immigration policies, including Title 42 as it applies to border enforcement, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and the public charge rule and discusses the implications of these policies for the health and well-being of immigrants.
Section 1115 Waiver Watch: How California Will Expand Medicaid Pre-Release Services for Incarcerated Populations February 7, 2023 Blog On January 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved California’s Section 1115 request to cover a package of reentry services for certain groups of incarcerated individuals 90 days prior to release. This approval is the first to include a partial waiver of the statutory Medicaid inmate exclusion policy, which prohibits Medicaid from paying for services provided during incarceration (except for inpatient services).
Enrollment and Spending Patterns Among Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees (Dual Eligibles) January 31, 2023 Issue Brief This brief examines national and state-level data on enrollment and spending for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees using the 2019 and 2020 Medicare Beneficiary Summary Files and the 2019 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS). Spending data for Medicare includes beneficiaries in traditional Medicare only, since spending data for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are unavailable. State-level data on Medicare-Medicaid enrollment and spending are available through KFF’s State Health Facts.
Medicaid: What to Watch in 2023 January 24, 2023 Issue Brief As 2023 kicks off, a number of issues are at play that could affect coverage and financing under Medicaid. This issue brief examines key issues to watch in Medicaid in the year ahead.
Legal Challenges to State Abortion Bans Since the Dobbs Decision January 20, 2023 Issue Brief This issue brief presents an overview of the legal challenges presented in state courts since the Dobbs ruling in June 2022 and highlights some of the novel strategies that are being used to defend access to abortion in states that have enacted abortion bans.
State Policies for Expanding Medicaid Coverage of Community Health Worker (CHW) Services January 23, 2023 Issue Brief Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline workers who have close relationships with the communities they serve, allowing them to better liaise and connect community members to health care systems. States may authorize Medicaid payment for certain CHW services under state plan or Section 1115 demonstration authority. States may allow or require managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide CHW services or include CHWs in care teams. Many states use CHW services to address the health needs of targeted populations including enrollees with chronic conditions or complex behavioral or physical health needs, enrollees receiving targeted case management services, or frequent users of health care services
FAQs on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage in Medicare January 18, 2023 Issue Brief These FAQs review mental health and substance use disorder coverage and cost sharing in Medicare and discuss recent policy changes related to coverage of mental health and substance use disorder treatments.