Updates & Analysis

On January 13th, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) announced that employers of staff who are newly eligible for the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Program under the expansion it announced in November (summarized by SPG here) should submit requests for funds during a 30-day “Exception Submission” period starting on February 1st. Newly eligible…

In this update:  Federal Agencies HHS Extends Covid-19 Public Health Emergency CMS Announces ACO REACH and KCC Participants for 2023 CMS Issues Memorandum and Timeline for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program CMS to Hold National Stakeholder Call on January 24th CMS Awards 200 Medicare-Funded Residency Slots Other Updates U.S. District Court Rules HHS Must Repay…

On January 10th, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her second State of the State speech, which outlined her policy agenda for the 2023 Legislative Session. The accompanying State of the State Book, entitled “Achieving the New York Dream,” describes the Governor’s proposed agenda across 14 sections. Two sections focus on health care issues, Section II (“Fixing…

In this update:  Federal Agencies CMS Issues Guidance on PHE Unwinding CMS Releases Guidance on Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Medicaid CMS Issues Guidance on Interprofessional Consultation in Medicaid and CHIP CMMI Publishes VBID Phase II Evaluation OMB Issues Biden Administration’s Fall 2022 Unified Regulatory Agenda FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Non-Compete Clauses FDA, DOJ…

In this update:  Administration Updates White House Releases Plan to Address Homelessness Legislative Update Biden Signs 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill Federal Agencies HHS Publishes Draft Conscience Rule SAMHSA Seeks Public Input on Revised Draft of CCBHC Certification Criteria CMS Finalizes 2023 Basic Health Program Rule FDA Revises Rules on Emergency Contraceptives SAMHSA Distributes $130 Million…

Note: This is SPG’s last weekly update for 2022. Our next update will be distributed on January 3, 2023. As always, we will continue to distribute notable information that arises to clients individually, and please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss any policy issues on your mind. We’d also appreciate any feedback on…

On December 12th, the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for a second round of the 2022 Integrated Supportive Housing (ISH) program. The ISH program encourages and supports the development of new housing opportunities for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who can benefit…

In this update:  Legislative Update Congress Continues Slow Progress on Spending Bill Senate Finance Committee Releases Final Draft Behavioral Health Legislation on Parity House Lawmakers Express Concern on No Surprises Act Implementation Bipartisan Group of Senators Seeks Input on Dual Eligibles Administration Updates Administration Launches New Opioid Surveillance Tracker, Announces One-Year Progress on Overdose Prevention…

On December 5th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced that it is seeking Letters of Interest for the following two opportunities: Pilot projects on evidence-based practice (EBP) diagnostic and case conceptualization; and  A needs assessment of EBPs in children’s mental health in NYS. These opportunities will support the State’s efforts…

On November 21st, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) finalized changes to the Part 599 regulations for Article 31 outpatient mental health clinics. Article 31 clinics have been reclassified as rehabilitative services under the Medicaid state plan under the name “Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitation Services” (MHOTRS). The regulatory amendments add…

On November 22nd, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators released a letter seeking input on ways to improve coverage for the 12.2 million individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (“dual eligibles”). In order to develop legislation to reform the system of care for dual eligibles, the senators seek responses from patients, providers,…

In this update: Administration Updates HHS Makes Climate Resilience Announcements at COP27 Federal Agencies CMS Updates Medicare Care Compare with Clinician Facility Affiliation Information CMS Releases Medicaid Coverage and Behavioral Health Data CMMI to Hold VBID Hospice Webinar  CMS Releases Estimated Improper Payment Rates for 2022 CMS Doctor/Clinician Preview Period Begins November 21st Other Updates…