MHA Today | January 6, 2023

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond

MHA’s 2023 Legislative Guide provides an overview of the issues expected during the legislative session and articulates the core of our advocacy program. It also identifies key issues and hospital values that will underpin MHA’s efforts, including the following.

• standing up for patients against harmful payer systems and policies
• supporting investments in access to high-quality and high-value care for at-risk patients
• supporting investments in the health care workforce
• funding Medicaid expansion and opposing efforts to make funding optional
• streamlining regulatory processes and removing regulatory burdens
• ensuring hospitals are treated fairly in Medicaid transformation and that the Federal Reimbursement Allowance remains a pillar of our commitment

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

CMS announced yesterday that states now have the option of including interprofessional consultations as covered Medicaid state plan services. This would allow consulting practitioners to bill Medicaid directly for consultations with other practitioners who are treating Medicaid-covered patients. States are not required to include interprofessional consultations in their Medicaid programs, but those that exercise this new state plan option have discretion in setting scope and reimbursement of the covered service.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

The Missouri Rural Citizen’s Access to Telehealth project, a partnership between the Missouri Telehealth Network and MHD, will provide funding, education and training opportunities to introduce or enhance existing telehealth services for rural providers accepting Medicaid patients. The organizations are hosting webinars next week to provide additional details.

Staff Contact: Jill Williams