MHA Today is provided as a service to members of the Missouri Hospital Association. Additional information is available online at MHAnet. In This Issue President Trump Signs Executive Order Allowing Greater Access To Association Health Plans Medicare Advantage And Part D Star Ratings Available MLN Connects Provider eNews Available CMS Announces OQR Education Session
Advocate state and federal health policy developments
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to rewrite rules to allow the sale of association health plans across state lines. The order also would allow small businesses to purchase insurance with fewer benefits than required under the Affordable Care Act. These reduced-benefit plans generally charge less in premiums. In addition, the order lifts limits on short-term insurance plans sold outside the Health Insurance Marketplace and expands a program allowing employers to set aside pre-tax dollars to help pay for workers’ insurance premiums. Back To Top
Regulatory News the latest actions of agencies monitoring health care
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Star Ratings for 2018. The rating system is designed to allow Medicare beneficiaries access to decision-making tools to select high-quality health plans. CMS estimates that approximately 73 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees with prescription drug coverage will be in plans with four or five stars, as compared to 69 percent in 2017. CMS Administrator Seema Verma stated, “Medicare is committed to empowering seniors to choose high-quality health and drug plans that fit their needs and the needs of their families. More high-quality choices mean improved quality care and better customer service at lower cost.” Back To Top
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews. eNews includes information about national provider calls, meetings, events, announcements and other MLN educational product updates. The latest issue provides updates and summaries of the following.
Quality and Population Health
Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost An outreach and education session for hospitals participating in the Outpatient Quality Reporting Program has been scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The webinar, “What Report? Whose Report? Where Did You Get That,” is offered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is required. Back To Top
Between 2004 and 2014, the number of adult Missourians who smoked decreased by 211,184. The state's adult smoking prevalence decreased at a faster rate than the overall national decline. Source: Missouri Foundation for Health