As expected, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued proposed changes to the regulations governing Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care last week. The changes follow a comprehensive overhaul of the regulations in 2016. CMS announced that the newest proposals seek to rollback certain changes made in 2016 in an effort to provide more flexibility for states.

On August 1, 2018, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services jointly promulgated a final rule on Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance (STLDI). The final rule further amends the proposed rule released in February and seeks to carry out the directions given in Executive Order 13813...

While much of the attention over the debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has centered at the Federal level, states continue to act as the laboratories for innovation. Last year Health Policy News featured a series of updates on activity around Section 1332 State Innovation Waivers in the states – with a focus primarily on State-based reinsurance and invisible high risk pool mechanisms.  That activity continues – though at a slower pace – with the recent waiver requests submitted by Wisconsin and Ohio.

On March 23rd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would exempt states from requirements to analyze and monitor access to care in the Medicaid program under certain circumstances. The proposal seeks to amend 42 CFR 447.203(b), which sets forth the process for states to document whether Medicaid payments in fee-for-service (FFS) delivery systems are sufficient to ensure appropriate access to services.