The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) rule, which makes sweeping reforms to payments under Medicare Part B and goes into effect on January 1, 2017.
Today, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) issued communication on changes to four OLTL home and community-based services waivers that were recently approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The changes include:
Aging Waiver amendments (effective 10/1/16)
Attendant Care Waiver amendments (effective 10/1/16)
Independence Waiver amendments (effective 10/1/16)
CommCare Waiver amendments (effective 10/1/16)
OBRA Waiver renewal (effective 7/1/16)
*New employment-related services are benefits counseling, career assessment, employment skills development (replaces prevocational services), job coaching (replaces supported employment), and job finding. For complete service definitions, provider qualifications, and requirements of each waiver, please refer to the approved waiver documents.
Providers of these new services will be paid at the proposed rates. Information on implementation of the new employment services, including transition from current employment services and billing procedures, is forthcoming.
In addition to the above changes, CMS has required OLTL to add limitations to any waiver services that are state plan services and are available to individuals under the age of 21. These services include: assistive technology, counseling, nursing services, nutritional consultation services, occupational therapy, personal assistance services, physical therapy, specialized medical equipment and supplies, and speech and language therapy. These services are only to be provided to individuals aged 21 and over. All medically necessary services for children under age 21 are to be covered in the state plan pursuant to the EPSDT benefit.
Questions on this information may be referred to either OLTL’s Bureau of Quality and Provider Management at 800-932-0939 or Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management at 717-783-8412.
RCPA will be working with the National Council on offering training and guidance on the final rule.
Today, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) finalized a landmark new payment system for Medicare clinicians that will continue the administration’s progress in reforming how the health care system pays for care. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) Quality Payment Program, which replaces the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), will equip clinicians with the tools and flexibility to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. With clinicians as partners, the administration is building a system that delivers better care; one in which clinicians work together and have a full understanding of patients’ needs, Medicare pays for what works and spends taxpayer money more wisely, and patients are in the center of their care, resulting in a healthier country.
With MACRA, congress gave HHS the tools to keep improving how we pay for care, so clinicians can focus on the quality of care they give, rather than the quantity of services they provide – and to keep improving the way care is delivered, by encouraging better coordination and prioritizing wellness and prevention.
First, the new payment system creates two pathways. These paths let clinicians pick the right pace for them to participate in the transition from a fee-for-service health care system to one that uses alternative payment models rewarding quality of care over quantity of services. Clinicians will choose between two options:
Evolving along with payment reform
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is building the Quality Payment Program to evolve along with the health care system. That’s why it facilitates participation in new payment models. The Affordable Care Act created the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) to implement and scale the best ideas from the medical community to improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries while lowering costs. CMS intends to broaden opportunities for clinicians, including small practices and specialties, to participate in these kinds of initiatives. For example, a major opportunity being considered for 2018 will be the new Accountable Care Organization Track 1+ model that provides more flexibility for clinicians. CMS is also reviewing reopening some existing Advanced Alternative Payment Models for application to allow more clinicians to join these types of initiatives. In 2018, CMS expects about 25 percent of eligible clinicians will be a part of the second path of Advanced Alternative Payment Models.
Providing comprehensive support to clinicians
To further support small practices, MACRA provides $20 million each year for five years to train and educate Medicare clinicians in small practices of 15 clinicians or fewer and those working in underserved areas. Beginning December 2016, local, experienced organizations will offer free, on-the-ground, specialized help to small practices using this funding. In addition, Jean Moody-Williams, registered nurse and deputy director of the CMS Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ), is leading an outreach effort to individual clinicians nationwide to help them prepare for the Quality Payment Program. In addition, CMS has launched a long-term initiative, led by Dr. Shantanu Agarwal, to improve the clinician experience with Medicare.
CMS is also launching a new Quality Payment Program website, which will explain the new program and help clinicians easily identify the measures most meaningful to their practice or specialty. There will also be a service center available by email and phone that will answer questions about the Quality Payment Program.
Continuing to listen
Today’s rule incorporates input received to date, but it is only the next step in an iterative process for implementing the new law. CMS will continue to host listening and learning sessions throughout the country, and welcome additional feedback from patients, caregivers, clinicians, health care professionals, congress, and others on how to better achieve these goals. CMS looks forward to feedback on the final rule with comment period and will accept comments until 60 days after the final rule’s release date. For more information about today’s rule, including a fact sheet, please visit this web page.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule in the September 16, 2016 Federal Register that establishes national emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid participating providers and suppliers to plan adequately for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. It will also assist providers and suppliers to adequately prepare to meet the needs of patients, residents, clients, and participants during disasters and emergency situations. The effective date of the regulations are effective on November 15, 2016.
RCPA is pleased to announce the hiring of Robena Spangler as the new director for its Children’s Division. Robena has worked for NHS Human Services for many years in several key positions, including operations resource specialist, regional director – children’s services, director of out of home services and gender responsive services, and children and youth program specialist. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in sociology/human services, she holds an MS degree in leadership and professional advancement from Duquesne University.
Robena will begin in this position on September 26 – just in time for the RCPA Annual Conference. As many of you know, Connell O’Brien serves as the current children’s services director and will be retiring. Connell will remain with RCPA to assist in the transition and to continue with select initiatives. Please join us in welcoming Robena to RCPA!
The RCPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Alwine, CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of York, as its newest member. Steve has worked at HealthSouth for almost 25 years. He was promoted in 2002 to chief financial officer at HealthSouth Nittany Valley and returned to York in 2011 as chief executive officer. He currently fills a vacancy for an unexpired term ending June 30, 2017, as an RCPA director-at-large.
In addition, the board also selected Charles Barber, CEO of Erie County Care Management, Inc., to complete the unexpired term ending June 30, 2017, as board treasurer. Charlie has already been serving on the RCPA Board of Directors, but was recently voted to fill the vacant officer position of treasurer.
Join us in congratulating these individuals in their appointments. For a complete listing of the RCPA board members, please visit our website.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a notice that includes proposed changes to the Medical Assistance Fee Schedule for the Aging, COMMCARE, Independence, and OBRA Waivers in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is proposing to add the following employment services to three of its waivers listed below:
DHS has developed Medical Assistance (MA) fee schedule rates for the additional services added to these waivers. The proposed MA Fee schedule rates are available for review.
Comments regarding the notice and the proposed MA fee schedule rates will be accepted until Monday, October 3, 2016, and should be sent to: Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management, Attn: HCBS Rates, PO Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025. Comments can also be sent via email.
The Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Aging just announced their selection of three managed care organizations (MCOs) for Community HealthChoices (CHC). CHC will coordinate physical health and long-term services and supports (LTSS) to individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, older Pennsylvanians, and individuals with disabilities.
Through a review of a request for proposals, the following MCOs have been selected to proceed with negotiations to deliver services statewide in Pennsylvania beginning in 2017:
CHC will roll out in three phases. Persons eligible for CHC are individuals aged 21 or older who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who receive long-term services and supports through Medicaid because they need help with everyday activities of daily living.
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