The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Aug. 31, 2022, a proposed rule that would standardize Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility and enrollment procedures by limiting renewals to once every 12 months, allowing applicants 30 days to respond to information requests, and requiring prepopulated renewal forms. The proposed rule would also end lifetime benefit limits in CHIP, eliminate pre-enrollment waiting periods, and allow states to transfer children’s eligibility directly from Medicaid to CHIP. Finally, the rule proposes automatic consideration of older adults for Medicare Shared Savings Programs and standardization of state recordkeeping requirements. Public comments will be accepted through Nov. 7. Read More.

Due to the recent Physical HealthChoices reprocurement, more than 470,000 Medicaid eligibles were transferred to new Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). These consumers needed to voluntarily select a new health plan by August 16 to avoid being auto-assigned as of Sept. 1. The Department of Human Services reported only 26% actively selected a plan, with the remaining 348,000 consumers auto-assigned to a new plan. Those who were auto-assigned and desired to switch to a different plan had until Sept. 8 to do so for an Oct. 1 start date. With Aetna Better Health leaving the HealthChoices program entirely and changes to the UnitedHealth Care and Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway) network, new MCOs are required to maintain continuity of care for transitioning consumers. Continuity of care includes open prior authorizations, PCP assignment changes, and special needs. DHS also reported that 1,057,441 consumers are enrolled in the Adult Benefit Package under the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion for a total of 3,541,516 Medicaid consumers statewide.

Absent congressional action, the FTCA Volunteer Health Professionals Program (VHP) will sunset on Saturday, Oct. 1. While there have been discussions of including an extension for the VHP in the continuing resolution (CR) being negotiated, it remains unclear whether it will make it into the final package. HRSA is monitoring updates. If Congress decides to continue the program, HRSA will issue guidance on how to apply for coverage. If the program is not extended, health centers will need to ensure that you make alternate medical malpractice coverage plans for anyone volunteering after Friday, September 30.

As September begins, Members of Congress are returning to work following a month-long break. While the House has another week off, the Senate is back in session and will be voting on a wide range of items. Senate leadership is expected to focus on the FY23 budget, which must be passed by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. A continuing resolution (CR), which will extend the FY22 funding levels for several months, is likely to occur as FY23 negotiations continue in both the House and the Senate. As Congress seeks to pass a CR, the Biden administration wants to add several emergency funding requests into the package. This includes $22.4 billion to fund the COVID-19 response and $4.5 billion to address monkeypox, in addition to other issues.

Nearly half of rural pharmacies are independently owned retail stores and are susceptible to closing due to financial hardship. This policy brief from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis builds on the history of Rural Policy Research Institute projects examining the provision of pharmacy services and updates on pharmacy closure in rural areas of the United States. Monthly data on all institutions providing pharmacy services in the 50 states and the District of Columbia were obtained from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs.

Nearly a quarter of rural Appalachians have medical debt in collections, compared to 17 percent nationally.  This comes from an in-depth investigation by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency created in 2011 to monitor the practices of banks, debt collectors, and other financial companies.  The report finds that the rural Appalachians with medical debt have more than double the rates of other types of delinquencies, including mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and student loans.  Higher debt increases the likelihood that a consumer uses higher-interest services such as payday, pawn, or auto title loans.  This report is part of the CFPB’s Rural Initiative, which is focused on financial issues facing rural America.  TODAY, at 2:00 pm ET, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra will host a virtual discussion with advocates, service providers, community leaders, and members of the public on nursing home debt collection. The field hearing is a chance for the CFPB to hear from consumers and their advocates from

Over 28 minutes, the Freakonomics podcast examines the outcomes of rural hospital closures.

 The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) guide provides federal, state, and local resources and an interactive map linking to each state’s emergency response website.