Updates & Analysis

On January 31st, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposal to exclude a wide range of rebates on prescription drugs from “safe harbor” protections under the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) of the Social Security Act. The rule proposes an effective date of January 1, 2020. HHS will accept comments on the rule…

On January 24th, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE): Special Projects grants. Through this initiative, a total of $8.3 million in annual funding will be awarded to eligible organizations to develop and implement targeted strategies…

On January 23rd, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a proposed rule for public comment in the State Register with revisions to 14 NYCRR Part 596, which contains OMH’s regulations on telemental health services (formerly called telepsychiatry services). The new regulations: Expand the types of practitioners who can provide telemental…

On January 8th, the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for organizations to develop and operate Part 816.7 medically supervised withdrawal and stabilization beds and/or Part 820 residential services (stabilization and/or rehabilitation) beds throughout New York State. The enacted 2018-19 State Budget for OASAS…

On January 15th, Governor Andrew Cuomo released his Executive Budget proposal for State Fiscal Year 2020. The budget calls for $102 billion in state operating funds and an expected $176 billion total budget (including transfers and “off-budget” capital), for an increase of 2.0%. Negotiations with the Senate and Assembly are required to finalize the budget.…

On January 7th, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) reissued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the combined administration of Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) services in New York City. Over $7.9 million in total funding will be available through this RFA for the combined administration of…

On January 4th, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects under the Innovations in Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Other Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program. The goal of this program is to improve access to coordinated and integrated care for children…

On December 21st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule that redesigns participation options for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) under a new model referred to as “Pathways to Success.” The final rule will discontinue or replace all MSSP Tracks (1, 1+, 2, and 3) and implement two new tracks,…

In the November 2018 Medicaid Update, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) issued new billing guidance for the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Advanced Primary Care (APC) Incentive Payment Programs. Providers that achieve PCMH or APC recognition can receive Medicaid or Child Health Plus (CHP) incentive payments. Payments are provided in the…

On December 18th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) re-released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to $20 million in capital funding for the preservation, restructuring, and/or expansion of OMH Article 31 Licensed Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) and/or Article 31 mental health clinics licensed to serve children. Applicants should propose projects…

On November 27th, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Administration on Aging (AoA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2019 Empowering Older Adults with Disabilities Through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs. The RFA will provide funding to organizations to develop and sustain evidence-based self-management education and support programs that empower older adults and…

On November 21st, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) established standards for providers seeking to offer the new single set of Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS). Such providers will require OMH certification under a new category, that of Children’s Mental Health Rehabilitation Services (CMHRS). This proposed regulation outlines the…