News & Notes - Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers

News & Notes

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The VACBP provides its members with important news and information about important issues that impact their organizations through conferences, its members-only “In the Loop” electronic newsletter, member conference calls and other methods.

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News & Notes

4.28.23 Virginia Premier Working to Address and Resolve Systematic, Timely Payment and Provider Issues
Earlier this month, VACBP Executive Director, Mindy Carlin, met with Virginia Premier as a part of the ongoing series of MCO outreach calls. During this meeting, Virginia Premier shared information about several recent and ongoing issues related to Community Treatments (ICT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Interest Payment Calculations, and timely filing guidelines. More information on each is below:

4.24.23 HHS Releases Proposal to Expand Health Care for DACA Recipients
DACA recipients would have access to health care through Affordable Care Act Marketplaces, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that, if finalized, would expand access to health care by reducing barriers for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Earlier this month, HHS announced its intention to release this rule by the end of April, and today’s announcement marks the fulfillment of that promise. The proposed change applies to the Health Insurance Marketplaces, the Basic Health Program, and some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).

4.20.23 Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced his appointment of longtime healthcare leader Dr. Karen Shelton, MD FACOG as the next State Health Commissioner.

“Experience and leadership matter. Dr. Shelton brings a wealth of knowledge in patient care and is positioned to recognize the individualized needs of all Virginians,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Dr. Shelton will be a tremendous asset to public health across the Commonwealth.”

4.20.23 Watch Your Mailbox for a Notice from Virginia Medicaid
Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

Virginia Medicaid is beginning the renewal process for all Medicaid members. We will send you a letter when it is time for you to renew. These letters contain important information on actions you may need to take to keep your health coverage. The letter you receive will include a notice on its envelope, stating “Open Immediately Application Enclosed.” This is an example of the letter. If you do not complete your renewal correctly, you may lose your health coverage. Carefully read and follow the instructions in your letter.

4.11.23 Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces $500,000 in Inaugural Petersburg Founders Fund Awards
Source: Office of the Governor, April 11, 2023

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that 20 startups and small businesses operating in the city of Petersburg, will receive $25,000 each as part of the Petersburg Founders Fund (PFF) program. The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) launched the PFF project in conjunction with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s “Partnership for Petersburg” initiative, a comprehensive state government approach featuring more than 40 initiatives across six thematic areas to enhance the quality of life in that city.

4.6.23 VACBP prepares to weigh in on Medicaid managed care re-procurement
On October 4, 2023, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel announced plans to launch a “transformational managed care procurement,” with the goal of driving innovation and strengthening quality and accountability in the DMAS Medicaid managed care program. In the press release from last October, the Secretary stated the following:

“A best-in-class managed care delivery system is essential to the success of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s priority health initiatives, including behavioral health redesign and improvements in maternal health outcomes,” said Secretary Littel. “We are committed to reinventing this public[1]private partnership to improve health outcomes and maximize the value of the managed care model for both our members and our taxpayers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The plan is that state leaders will “evaluate commercial health plans that participate in the competitive procurement based on their use of data-driven strategies to address challenges in the rapidly evolving health care environment, including value-based care models that tie funding to measurable improvements in health outcomes.”

4.6.23 VACBP represented on wide range of stakeholder groups, giving voice to members; private-sector providers
Among the reasons for the formation of the VACBP was to provide a voice for private-sector providers in decision making on topics that impact how your agencies deliver services and otherwise operate. Now, 10 years later, we are proud to share that the VACBP and our members have more seats at more tables than ever. This is a real testament to the association’s solutions-focused approach to problem solving and thoughtful advocacy.

3.16.23 VACBP Members to Have a Voice in Board of Counseling and Licensing Regulatory Efforts
VACBP Executive Director, Mindy Carlin, has been invited to participate in two Regulatory Advisory Panels (RAPs), ensuring private-sector providers and specifically, VACBP members, have a seat at the table before regulatory changes are made. Additional details about both are provided below.

3.9.23 DMAS Provides Updates on High Numbers of Denied Claims for ABA Services and Plan for 2023 for the MCO Resolution Panel
On March 9, 2023, the VACBP participated in the DMAS MCO Resolution Panel, which was directed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021. This panel was established to help resolve challenges and issues that providers are having with the Medicaid MCOs. The purpose of this meeting was to set goals for the remainder of the year, and for DMAS to provide an update on recent ABA claims issues.

3.8.23 Cardinal Care Managed Care Contract Date Changed to July 1, 2023
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) recently received notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the consolidation of our two managed care contracts into one Cardinal Care Managed Care contract is still pending approval. DMAS had anticipated an April 1, 2023 consolidation date and had communicated that date to our Medicaid community. At this time, DMAS anticipates that the new Cardinal Care Managed Care contract will commence on July 1, 2023, instead of April 1 as previously stated.

2.7.23 Another Poll of Virginia Voters Shows Strong Support for New State Investments in Behavioral Health Care System
Source: Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, February 7, 2023

Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Finds that 83 Percent of Virginians Polled Back a State Budget Proposal to Invest $230 Million in New Funding to Enhance Access to Mental Health Care and Substance Abuse Services Across the Commonwealth; It is the Second Recent Poll of Virginians Reflecting Strong Support for State Investment in the Behavioral Health System

RICHMOND, VA – A recent poll shows that four out of five Virginia voters support the idea of state leaders making significant new investments in expanding and improving access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment services in the Commonwealth.

The statewide poll from Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy shows that 83 percent of respondents support the concept of a state budget proposal to invest $230 million in new funding to strengthen Virginia’s behavioral health care system. It is the second recent statewide poll in which strong majorities of Virginia voters expressed support for these proposed state investments to enhance and expand behavioral health care access. A survey of Virginia voters conducted in January by co/efficient found that more than three-fourths (76 percent) of respondents expressed support for cooperation between the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate to approve a package of proposed state budget amendments to fund behavioral health care investments.

6.16.2020 VACBP Board Approves OneVACBP Resolution
At its annual board meeting, the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP) approved a resolution creating OneVACBP, an initiative to:

Advocate for and endorse policies and actions to address racial and social inequities to improve the provision and outcomes of behavioral health services in Virginia; and

Authorize and encourage the development of specific policies and actions to be determined by the membership and approved by the Board for implementation by the VACBP.

4.7.2020 Implementation of Family First Delayed to January 30, 2021
The Virginia Division of Family Services at DSS announced that implementation of Family First will be extended to January 30, 2021. VDSS had several major implementation activities scheduled for this spring that, unfortunately, have been cancelled and/or postponed due to COVID-19.

Resources

State Agencies

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)