In April of 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) asked the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to clarify that automated calls and texts, or prerecorded telephone calls made to encourage individuals to renew enrollment in their state Medicaid program (“Medicaid”) Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”), Basic Health Program (“BHP”) or Health Insurance Marketplace … Continue Reading
Pursuant to federal regulations that took effect on January 1, 2023, individuals who lose Medicaid coverage will be granted a special enrollment right to enroll in Medicare Part B coverage.[1] This special enrollment right was created in part because the COVID health emergency order may soon end, resulting in many people losing Medicaid coverage. In … Continue Reading
In an effort to expand access to mental health services, on September 30, 2022, California’s Governor approved Senate Bill 1019, which modifies the California Welfare & Institutions Code as it relates to Medi-Cal managed care plans (“MMCP”). No later than January 1, 2025, MMCPs must develop and implement an annual outreach and education plan for … Continue Reading
The Kentucky Court of Appeals recently affirmed dismissal of numerous lawsuits filed by Medicaid enrollees against Managed Care Organizations (“MCOs”) and the Commonwealth’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services (the “Cabinet”). Appalachian Reg’l Healthcare, Inc. v. Commonwealth, No. 2015-CA-001670-MR, 2019 Ky. App. Unpub. LEXIS 629 (Ct. App. Aug. 30, 2019). Applying recent Kentucky Supreme Court … Continue Reading
By selecting a more severe Secondary Diagnosis Code for a patient, a physician may increase the reimbursement due from Medicare. If a hospital intentionally changes codes across its patient population, the increased revenue can be substantial. Is that legal? A federal district court in Texas faced this question when a relator filed suit under the … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has withdrawn a controversial policy, first introduced in 2010, which changes how much a Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) may receive annually in supplemental DSH payments. CMS took this action in response to several court rulings invalidating the agency’s policy. Despite the agency’s walk-back of its policy, … Continue Reading
