Maryland Receives $28 million Bonus for Efforts to Enroll Children in Medicaid and CHIP

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) officials have learned that Maryland will receive a $28,301,384 performance bonus from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Fiscal Year 2011 because of Maryland’s consistent efforts to identify and enroll eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP coverage.

The bonus is granted under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) to States that satisfy two sets of criteria: States must have in place at least five Medicaid and CHIP program features known to promote enrollment and retention in health coverage for children; and States must demonstrate a significant increase in Medicaid enrollment among children during the course of the past year.

Since January 2007, the number of children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP has increased from 407,300 children to 545,200. Nearly 41,000 children were enrolled in FY 2011 alone, the year related to the CHIPRA bonus.

To read the complete article please click here.

Health Benefit Exchange Board Report Submitted to Governor and Lawmakers

The Board of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange submitted to Governor O’Malley and the General Assembly a series of policy recommendations to support the successful operation of the Exchange in 2014 and beyond. Maryland’s Health Benefit Exchange will provide a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to purchase high quality, affordable health coverage. Because of subsidies through the Affordable Care Act, the Exchange will make health insurance accessible to hundreds of thousands of Marylanders.

The report, required by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act, which passed in 2011 and authorized creation of the Exchange, includes a broad range of recommendations, including: how the Exchange should contract with insurance plans; how the exchange should offer insurance to small businesses and their employees; how the Navigator program should work; how to set rules to assure a broad pool of risk; how to finance the exchange; and how to educate and inform the public about new opportunities for health insurance.

The Board worked with a broad range of experts and stakeholders to develop the report, including four advisory committees. The advisory committees included stakeholders from the health insurance industry, health care providers and associations; community members, advocates, and community-based organizations; academia; business owners; unions; local government officials; and consultants. In total, 66 Marylanders served on these committees. In addition, consultants were hired to conduct analyses and develop options for topics identified by the authorizing legislation.

To read the complete article please click here.

HSCRC Announces New Executive Director

Health Services Cost Review Commission

The Health Services Cost Review Commission (“HSCRC”) announced the hiring of D. Patrick Redmon, Ph.D. to be its fourth Executive Director in its 40 year history. The HSCRC was created in 1971 as the cornerstone of consumer protection legislation aimed at providing Marylanders with the highest possible quality hospital care at the most affordable price. The HSCRC has been setting rates for Maryland hospitals since July of 1974. It is responsible for saving the citizens of Maryland more than $47 billion in hospital payments since its inception. Dr. Redmon previously served as the HSCRC’s Deputy Director for Research and Methodology from 1999 to 2006. Most recently, Dr. Redmon has served as an Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Administration, at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio as well as a Principal at the Berkeley Research Group, LLC, a nationwide consulting firm with expertise in health economics, finance, and public policy. Dr. Redmon succeeds Robert Murray who served as the HSCRC Executive Director for almost 18 years. In the words of HSCRC Chairman John M. Colmers, former Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,

“The HSCRC feels very fortunate to be able to turn the reins over to Dr. Redmon. Dr. Redmon is uniquely qualified to lead the agency in meeting its legislative mandates, and to do so hitting the ground running. Dr. Redmon combines expert knowledge with the highest level of integrity and character. He will guide and inspire his staff to keep its eye on serving the public interest. His credibility, creativity, and stability will also assure that Maryland solidifies its position as this nation’s leader in the delivery of efficient and effective health care to its citizens.”

Chairman Colmers served as the HSCRC’s Executive Director from 1987 to 1994, having succeeded Harold “Hal” Cohen, the agency’s first Executive Director. Dr. Redmon will begin his official duties in January 2012.

Taken from the DHMH website:  http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/pressreleases/2011/hscrc122011.html

Affordable Care Act Support For School Based Health Centers Creates Jobs

Health care law will help rebuild aging clinics

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than $14 million was awarded to 45 school-based health centers across the country allowing the number of children served to increase by nearly 50 percent, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced.

Clinics receiving the awards, made possible by the health reform law, are already providing much-needed health care services to 112,000 children. Today’s infusion of new money will enable them to expand their capacity and modernize their facilities, which will allow them to treat an estimated additional 53,000 children in 29 States.

“Children are the foundation upon which this country will grow,” said Secretary Sebelius. “The Affordable Care Act will help ensure our children get the high-quality health care they need and deserve.”

Funds awarded today will help create jobs for Americans across the country. Funds will support job opportunities as more Americans will be needed to meet the clinics’ pressing capital needs - including construction, renovation and new equipment.

School-based health centers enable children with acute or chronic illnesses to attend school, and improve the overall health and wellness of all children through health screenings, health promotion and disease prevention activities.

To read the complete article please click here.