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HHS Announces Guidance For Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Program And Reduced Coinsurance
Kaiser Reports On State’s Preparation For Medicaid Eligibility Reverifications

Regulatory

HHS Announces Guidance For Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Program And Reduced Coinsurance

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

HHS released initial guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for 2026. The Inflation Reduction Act provided Medicare the ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices in an attempt to lower drug cost. CMS provided additional information about reduced coinsurance for certain Part B drugs, effective Saturday, April 1. “For the quarter April 1 – June 30, 2023, people with Medicare may experience coinsurance amounts that are lower than what they would have paid before the new law passed by as much as $2 to $390 per average dose.” MHA published an issue brief with details.

Kaiser Reports On State’s Preparation For Medicaid Eligibility Reverifications

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

KFF issued a report on states’ efforts to prepare for the “Medicaid unwinding” and the reverification of Medicaid eligibility for all participants. Reverification begins Saturday, April 1, and continues through June 2024. Missouri will begin its reverification for Medicaid participants who are scheduled for annual reviews in June.

MHA published a web page with Missouri-specific information, including guidance on what hospitals can do to help their Medicaid patients navigate the process successfully.

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MACPAC’s annual report to Congress includes analyses and recommendations for improving race and ethnicity data collection, improving transparency in nursing facility reimbursements, and changes to covered prescription drugs. It also includes the annual analysis on state DSH allotments and payments.
The CDC released maternal mortality rates in the U.S for 2021, finding that 1,205 women died of maternal causes in 2021 compared with 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019. MHA members can participate in quality improvement efforts related to maternal-infant health, of which 47 out of 61 birthing hospitals have committed to improving care processes and outcomes.
CMS issued updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews.

MHA Today | March 17, 2023

MHA Today is provided as a service to members of the Missouri Hospital Association.

In This Issue

Before You Go