News & Info for NYS Council members – 1/18/24

January 18, 2024

1)  Attached, please find a PowerPoint presentation prepared by our colleagues at the NYS DoH in an effort to share information with stakeholders re:  New York’s recently approved 1115 HER Waiver.
2)  Below is an announcement from the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Listserv pertaining to two upcoming public hearings.
3) At bottom, please find a recent announcement from CMS re: the new IBH (Innovation in Behavioral Health) Model  

Dear MRT Listserv Subscriber,

In compliance with 42 CFR 431.408(a)(1), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Office of Health Insurance Programs (OHIP)  is pleased to announce that it will conduct two virtual public hearings to provide an overview of the State’s 1115 waiver Continuous Eligibility for Children up to Age Six amendment request and allow members of the public to provide comments. Additionally, the second of these hearings, indicated below, will serve as the Annual 1115 Public Forum, during which the public may also provide oral comments on the entirety of New York’s Medicaid Redesign Team 1115 waiver.

Through this amendment, OHIP is seeking to ensure continuous Medicaid and Child Health Plus (CHP) coverage for children up to six years of age. Continuous enrollment would ensure that children receiving Medicaid and CHP remain enrolled in health coverage during the first years of their lives, improve continuity of care, and promote health equity.

Registration Information for Virtual Public Hearings

  1. First Public Hearing
    Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    1. Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to provide oral comment using this link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r1939adfa0f20020858cc4bc655879d24
    2. Individuals who wish to provide comment will need to register with an “SP” in front of their name (ex: SP Jane Doe) and must email 1115waivers@health.ny.gov no later than Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 4:00 PM to confirm registration.
    3. Individuals will speak in the order of registration. We kindly request that all comments be limited to five minutes per presenter to ensure that all public comments may be heard.
  1. Second Public Hearing & Annual 1115 Public Forum
    Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    1. Pre-registration is required for anyone wishing to provide oral comment using this link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/rffed05506eb878b9847bddba913c7773
    2. Individuals who wish to provide comment will need to register with an “SP” in front of their name (ex: SP Jane Doe) and must email 1115waivers@health.ny.gov no later than Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 4:00 PM to confirm registration.
    3. Individuals will speak in the order of registration. We kindly request that all comments be limited to five minutes per presenter to ensure that all public comments may be heard.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available, and the WebEx platform includes a closed captioning feature.

The full public notice for this amendment request can be found here: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/med_waiver_1115/docs/2024-01-17_full_pub_notice.pdf.

The draft amendment request can be found here: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/med_waiver_1115/docs/draft_amend_request.pdf.

Questions regarding this notice may be sent to: 1115waivers@health.ny.gov.

Thank you.

Medicaid Redesign Team Updates

New York State Department of Health

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CMS Announces New Innovation in Behavioral Health Model

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model.

The IBH Model will focus on improving the quality of care and the behavioral and physical health outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid populations with moderate to severe mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders.

The model seeks to bridge the gap between behavioral and physical health by supporting practice participants in the development and implementation of an interprofessional care team. This care team will be responsible for comprehensively addressing all aspects of a patient’s care, including their behavioral and physical health, and as needed social supports like housing, food, and transportation.

CMS will release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in spring 2024, and up to eight states will be selected to participate.

For more information about the IBH Model, please visit the model webpage and register for the model listserv.

Questions about the model can be submitted to IBHModel@cms.hhs.gov.