MHA Today | January 13, 2021

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule that would give Medicare beneficiaries access to the latest, most advanced devices. CMS states, “Today’s action represents a step forward that will help smooth the Medicare coverage pathway for innovative products, resulting in faster access to new devices for America’s seniors.” The Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology generally will create national coverage for “breakthrough devices, the services necessary to implant and maintain the devices, and any reasonable and necessary treatments due to complications from the devices.” MCIT will be available only for U.S. Food and Drug Administration-designated breakthrough devises that have been market authorized.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Dana Dahl

The Health Services and Resources Administration expanded the geographic areas eligible to apply for and receive federal rural health grants. Beginning in federal fiscal year 2022, counties in a Metropolitan Statistical Area that have no “urbanized area” population will be eligible. Urbanized area is defined by the Census Bureau as a densely settled area with a total population of at least 50,000. The change will affect 295 U.S. counties, including the following Missouri counties: Bates, Bollinger, Caldwell, Clinton, Dallas, DeKalb, Franklin, Lincoln, Moniteau, Osage, Polk, Ray, Warren and Webster. MHA’s definition of a rural hospital is based on eligibility for federal rural health grants.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final marketplace enrollment data for 2021. For calendar year 2021, 8,251,703 beneficiaries made plan selections in states where the HealthCare.gov platform is being utilized. For CY 2020, total enrollment was 8,286,871. However, New Jersey and Pennsylvania transitioned from a federal-based exchange to a state-based exchange for 2021. Due to this transition, New Jersey and Pennsylvania contained enrollment data in 2020 and were excluded in the 2021 report. After removing New Jersey and Pennsylvania form the CY 2020 enrollment total, the 2021 enrollment was approximately 7% higher than the normalized 2020 total enrollment of 7,708,620. In Missouri, 215,311 beneficiaries made plan selections for 2021, approximately 6.2% more than the 202,750 plan selections last year.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

AstraZeneca sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in federal district court in Delaware for the agency’s recently issued advisory opinion, which stated that drug manufacturers’ attempts to limit access to 340B-priced drugs by refusing to provide 340B discounts for drugs dispensed through contract pharmacies violates the law. AstraZeneca’s suit alleges that the HHS advisory opinion exceeds the agency’s administrative authorities and asks the court to affirm the manufacturers’ actions. Several associations, including the American Hospital Association and the Children’s Hospital Association, previously sued HHS to force the agency to block the drugmakers’ refusal to discount contract pharmacy drug purchase for being unfounded in the 340B law.

Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga or Dana Dahl

The National Rural Health Resource Center announced an opportunity for qualified small rural hospitals and rural health clinics to receive technical assistance through the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project. Five hospitals and clinics are selected each year to receive technical assistance to help leaders and providers transition to value-based care and prepare for population health management. The application is due by noon CST on Saturday, Jan.16.

Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued guidance to state health officials describing how to adopt strategies that address the social determinants of health in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It discusses how SDOH exacerbate health disparities among a variety of populations, including rural communities. The guidance aims to help states improve population health and reduce costs.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced a funding opportunity for its Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Psychostimulant Support. The goal of this new effort is to strengthen and expand prevention, treatment and recovery services for rural individuals who misuse psychostimulants, and to enhance their ability to access treatment and move toward recovery. The project timeline is three years, and HRSA is awarding approximately 15 rural communities with as much as $500,000 each. Applications must be submitted by Monday, April 12.

An informational webinar for applicants will be held at 11:30 a.m. CST Thursday, Feb. 25. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend. To access the dial-in information, click the Package tab, Preview and Download Instructions. Technical assistance information is on page (ii). For questions about the program, email ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov. Contact aoladele@hrsa.gov with fiscal/budget-related questions.

Staff Contact: Shawn Billings or Kelsey Hussey

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, announced a funding opportunity for Building Communities of Recovery. The aim of this program is to mobilize resources within, and outside of, the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery support from substance abuse and addiction. Programs will be principally governed by people in recovery from substance abuse and addiction who reflect the community being served. Additionally, special consideration for funding will be given to rural applicants, including applicants serving areas with an age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths that is above the national average, as well as areas with a shortage of prevention and treatment services. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 15.