Updates & Analysis

On January 4th, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects under the Innovations in Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Other Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program. The goal of this program is to improve access to coordinated and integrated care for children…

On December 21st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule that redesigns participation options for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) under a new model referred to as “Pathways to Success.” The final rule will discontinue or replace all MSSP Tracks (1, 1+, 2, and 3) and implement two new tracks,…

In the November 2018 Medicaid Update, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) issued new billing guidance for the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Advanced Primary Care (APC) Incentive Payment Programs. Providers that achieve PCMH or APC recognition can receive Medicaid or Child Health Plus (CHP) incentive payments. Payments are provided in the…

On December 18th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) re-released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to $20 million in capital funding for the preservation, restructuring, and/or expansion of OMH Article 31 Licensed Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) and/or Article 31 mental health clinics licensed to serve children. Applicants should propose projects…

On November 27th, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Administration on Aging (AoA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2019 Empowering Older Adults with Disabilities Through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs. The RFA will provide funding to organizations to develop and sustain evidence-based self-management education and support programs that empower older adults and…

On November 21st, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) established standards for providers seeking to offer the new single set of Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS). Such providers will require OMH certification under a new category, that of Children’s Mental Health Rehabilitation Services (CMHRS). This proposed regulation outlines the…

On November 9th, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for eligible not-for-profit organizations to operate up to 13 new Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) programs for adults aged 60 years and older who reside in qualifying neighborhoods. Organizations may apply to operate one of two types…

On October 30th, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) released four Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for shelter and drop-in facilities for homeless individuals. The objectives of these RFPs are to provide transitional or temporary housing for homeless single adults, families with children, and adult families without other housing options. In addition, DHS…

On November 2nd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule that will update the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) Payment System for 2019. The rule will increase OPPS rates by 1.35% and ASC payment rates by 2.1%. Notable rule changes will affect off-campus provider-based department…

On November 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) rule. In addition to updating the PFS and QPP for 2019, the rule will: implement provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2018, update Evaluation and Management (E/M) billing practices, finalize…

On October 31st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that will update Medicare payment rates for home health agencies (HHAs) in CY 2019. The rule will implement a new case-mix methodology, allow for the payment of remote patient monitoring, ease certain regulatory burdens, and update the Home Health Quality…

On October 23rd, multiple agencies released a coordinated proposed rule to expand the use of Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs). The rule would allow employers to fund HRAs to make tax-preferred contributions toward the purchase of individual-market insurance. This change would make it easier for employers to take a defined-contribution approach to their health benefits and…