Updates & Analysis

On April 2nd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final rule that will implement significant regulatory changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) plans, beginning in contract year 2019. The rule generally eases reporting requirements, updates the Medicare Star Rating methodology, removes the meaningful difference requirement, redefines marketing…

On March 30th, the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Second Chance Act Ensuring Public Safety and Improving Outcomes for Youth in Confinement and While Under Community Supervision program. This program supports state and local efforts…

On April 2nd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Rate Announcement and Call Letter, which propose policy and payment updates for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans for calendar year 2019. The finalized policy changes are expected to increase revenue to participating plans by 3.40%, up from the 1.84% that…

On March 29th, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for organizations interested in establishing or expanding and maintaining Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs for individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI). Approximately $4.7 million in total funding will be awarded…

While we wait for the final details to be worked out on the New York State budget, a general re-statement of the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) intentions on the move to value-based payment (VBP) may be of interest. The Medicaid Redesign Team recently released a draft clarification to the VBP Roadmap, outlining the proposed future…

On March 23rd, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified not-for-profit organizations to operate Beacon Community Centers (Beacons) at The Early Childhood Discovery and Design Magnet School in Manhattan and the Bronx Alliance Middle School in the Bronx. Beacons operate at eligible public school…

On March 14th, the New York City Department of Homeless Services released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified health care provider to provide medical and behavioral health services at an 850-bed shelter for homeless men at the 30th Street Shelter in Manhattan. One awardee will receive approximately $4.8 million over three years to…

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has released the Q&A for the second round of the Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program (SHCFTP II), which contains 333 questions and answers related to this Request for Proposals (RFP) with $204 million in available funding. Some responses of note include: Application Evaluation DOH reiterates that its…

On February 15th, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services Division of Youth and Family Justice released a Request for Proposals seeking qualified organizations to implement a comprehensive Mentoring and Advocacy Program (MAAP) for youth involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the juvenile or criminal justice system. Programs will each provide targeted,…

On February 12th, the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for not-for-profit organizations to expand or establish Part 820 Residential Services programs in Bronx and Kings Counties. Programs should provide services to individuals in need of residential care, as determined by the OASAS Level…

On February 14th, the Office of People with Development Disabilities (OPWDD) released for public comment a proposed amendment, “Amendment 03,” to the OPWDD 1915(c) Comprehensive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Application. Amendment 03 largely deals with the wind-down and transition of the 1915(c) waiver into the People First Care Coordination program. Through this…

On February 9th, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the enhancement and expansion of comprehensive treatment, early intervention, and recovery support services for adolescents aged 12 to 18, and/or transitional aged youth aged 16 to 25, who have substance use…