On Monday, the Supreme Court decided to end the fight over work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries, and a new report from Georgetown University analyzed differing federal and state network adequacy standards and access to culturally competent care for Medicaid and Marketplace plans. Non-profits, including Yavapai Reentry Project in...Arizona News
Sexual and reproductive healthcare in the U.S. has received a barrage of policy changes and proposed legislation this spring, specifically on the topics of maternal healthcare, anti-abortion legislation and laws that seek to curb treatment for transgender children.
Maternal Health Care
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
On Wednesday, Governor Doug Ducey signed into law a 15-week abortion ban that would potentially jail any physician that performs an abortion after the cutoff date.
The law will go into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends, which is more than enough time for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on Dodd v. Jackson Women's...
The ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) spells challenges ahead for Medicaid and Marketplace health officials. At a national level, nonprofit Urban Institute detailed the myriad of obstacles and possible solutions for providers after the expiration of the PHE's continuous coverage requirement in a white paper, Preparing...Arizona News
The Arizona State Legislature has moved forward with a number of bills that aim to curb abortion and crack down on transgender children's participation in team sports. Additionally, bills that would enhance the scope of eligibility for enrollment in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System have also advanced.
Senator Nancy...Arizona News
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) biannual report includes three topics of interest to Congress including (1) a lengthy, and eventually inconclusive, comparative analysis of residential care settings under HCBS and the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program, (2) a discussion on policy...
Halfway through the 2022 Arizona State Legislative Session, each chamber is now in the process of hearing the other's bills. Several concern healthcare delivery in Arizona, specifically with regards to the state's Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
A bill to expand the list of health and...
As another deadline approaches for the Public Health Emergency's (PHE) expiration, millions of Medicaid beneficiaries, including 500,000 in Arizona, remain covered without scrutiny regarding eligibility status. Once the federal government declares the PHE over, the great Medicaid unwinding begins and state officials will face the...Arizona News
On Dec. 14, 2021, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) announced a new three-year contract with incumbent Public Consulting Group (PCG) to administer the Medicaid School-Based Claiming (MSBC) Program; PCG is an experienced TPA for the program after nearly a dozen years of continuous service.
The new contract...
A new analysis by ATI Advisory for Better Medicare Alliance is the fourth in a series of data briefs over 2021 that examine Medicare coverage arrangements related to demographics, outcomes, and spending in the dual eligible population. The research compiled by this series suggests that dual eligible beneficiaries are more likely to...
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking steps to improve access to and quality of maternal healthcare nationwide, including supporting the delivery of equitable care for both pregnancy and postpartum care. The Children's Action Alliance in Arizona wants...Arizona News
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) approved a 90-day extension of grant support for services through March 2, 2022.
The free to Arizona residents affected by COVID-19, offers confidential support services including the 2-1-1 statewide...
Arizona's Medicaid program continues to grow and so does this year's data edition. Along with enrollment by county and market reports, readers will learn more about how the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is bending the cost curve, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and managing the "great unwinding". Quality...
Arizona hospitals are reporting a 35% net increase in operating profits in 2020 according to a report released last Friday by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), an increase higher than any year-over-year over the past decade. But a new study from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Kaufman Hall warns that...Arizona News
This week in insurance, mergers and acquisitions open new pathways to addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and innovative medical options for plans and patients alike.
According to new research released by Verint, "the Customer Engagement Company," the top 25 health insurance companies were in tight competition throughout...National News
The Biden administration announced last Friday that it would make available $25.5 billion in provider relief funding to offset revenue loss and higher expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Fierce Healthcare, funding will be used for reimbursing smaller providers that generally operate on thin margins and to boost...
With a referral from an educational institution, underinsured and uninsured students can receive counseling and therapy for anxiety, depression, social isolation, and other behavioral health needs.
With funding appropriated during the 2020 Arizona Legislative session, underinsured or uninsured Arizona children enrolled in pre-K...
Among those ages 10 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death in Arizona and educating citizens how we all can play an important role in preventing suicide in the state.
In coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services, suicide prevention is included in the 2021-2025 Arizona Health Improvement Plan. During the...Arizona News
As part of the work of the Governor’s Abuse and Neglect Prevention Task Force, the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and the Arizona Department of Economic Security are asking long term care health care providers who serve Arizona Medicaid members to participate in a short survey conducted by the University of Arizona...Arizona News
During the COVID-29 pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act prevented Medicaid programs across the country from removing members from the state rolls regardless of eligibility status. The public health emergency also necessitated a renewed focus on home and community based services (HCBS); the Kaiser Family Foundation sheds...
