CMS Increases Rates Across the Board for FY2022; Part D Premiums Climb
Several final rules from CMS increase rates for a slew of services including hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Meanwhile, the agency anticipates higher premium rates for Part D plans in 2022.
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By - CMS final rules will increase rates for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and several other care settings while CMS also reports Part D premiums are expected to rise. Meanwhile, newly introduced telehealth legislation promotes increased access and utilization.
100 Community Behavioral Health Centers Receive Funding to Improve Treatment
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently awarded $250 million to 100 certified community behavioral health centers to improve treatment for substance use disorder and mental health. The award aims to increase access and quality of community mental health and substance use disorder treatments including person- and family-centered integrated care and 24/7 crisis intervention lines. READ MORE
Newly Introduced Telehealth Bills Promote Access, Utilization
A recently reintroduced bill to Congress would mandate HHS study the impact of covered telehealth programs during the pandemic. The Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth (EDOT) During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2021 aims to build a body of evidence around the effects of telehealth programs covered by Medicare and Medicaid to understand use, privacy, and equity. READ MORE
Another telehealth bill introduced to the Senate last week aims to expand Medicare coverage to seniors in home care settings after hospitalization. The Choose Home Care Act of 2021 would broaden coverage to include telehealth and remote patient monitoring programs for seniors 30 days after hospitalization. Rather than recover in a skilled nursing facility, seniors would have the opportunity to recover at home with multiple home-based services. READ MORE
Proposed Rule to Support Home Care Worker Benefits
On July 30, CMS proposed a rule that would enable states to pay third parties on behalf of home care workers and personal care assistants. Under the new rule, these workers would have access to health insurance and other employee benefits including skills training. Medicaid agencies would pay third parties on behalf of practitioners for these employee benefits. READ MORE
Medicare Part D Premiums Likely to Increase
This week, CMS projected premium rates for Medicare Part D coverage will increase in 2022. Data from the bid information release revealed the average premium may increase as much as 4.9 percent or $33.37. Finalized premium and cost sharing information is expected in September. READ MORE
CMS Final Rules Increase Payments FY2022
CMS finalized a $2.3 billion rule to increase hospital payments in fiscal year 2022. The rule includes a 2.5 percent bump for hospital reimbursement under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System as well as payments for diagnosis and treating COVID-19 throughout the public health emergency. The rate increase will begin October 1, 2021. READ MORE
Four additional final rules dropped late last week from CMS that increase payments to skilled nursing facilities, hospice agencies, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and inpatient psychiatric facilities in fiscal year 2022. READ MORE
