MHA Today | April 3, 2024

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

The Missouri House of Representatives debated, amended and adopted its version of the SFY 2025 budget April 2. The House’s $50.7 billion spending plan cuts nearly $2 billion in spending from the budget recommended by Gov. Mike Parson. The House budget fully funds Medicaid and includes no directives to cut reimbursements or eligibility. A final House vote on the budget is expected Thursday, April 4, before being sent to the Missouri Senate. The constitutional deadline for passing the state budget is Friday, May 10. SFY 2025 begins Monday, July 1.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

MO HealthNet’s nonemergency transportation provider MTM now offers a mobile-friendly app called MTM Link for Missouri Medicaid participants to use to schedule, modify and monitor trips to and from health provider services. See MTM’s brochure or video for information on MTM Link and how to use this service.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

CMS released the CY 2025 Medicare Advantage capitation rates and Part D payment policy final rule. MA plans are estimated to receive an increase of over $16 billion, or 3.7%, in 2025 as compared to 2024. CMS also finalized improvements to the structure of the Medicare Part D drug benefit that will result in lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. MHA published an issue brief that includes additional information.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

CMS released the CY 2025 Marketplace notice of benefit and payment parameters final rule. The rule includes several polices that impact the Medicaid program, CHIP and Basic Health Program. CMS finalized certain network adequacy updates, extended the special enrollment period and streamlined the enrollment process.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

CMS issued additional guidance to clarify expectations around hospital informed consent. According to QSO-24-10-Hospitals, patients under anesthesia only should receive examinations that are medically necessary and for which informed consent was provided. Revisions to Appendix A related to consent will be forthcoming.

Staff Contact: Austin Wilbers

The 2023 Annual Licensing Survey of Missouri Hospitals was posted to HIDI Advantage^® on April 2. The survey is a combined data collection effort of MHA, AHA and DHSS. Data from the annual survey are used to support various MHA advocacy efforts and are a key source of information regarding the hospital industry in Missouri. Upon request, various reports, including trends and margins analyses, are available to participating hospitals. Completed surveys are due to HIDI by Tuesday, May 28.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

The St. Louis Metropolitan Hospital Council is partnering with EdPlus to sponsor a career fair to connect high school juniors and graduating seniors with opportunities in health care. Join these organizations from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park in St. Louis, Mo. This opportunity is offered at no cost, thanks to the event’s sponsors.

• Register to have a booth at the fair.
• Register students to attend the fair.

To learn more about the career fair, please contact Molly Weaver.