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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on Medicaid Managed Care Regulation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON
MEDICAID MANAGED CARE REGULATION
WASHINGTON—Today, ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray issued the following statement on updates to regulations governing Medicaid managed care plans promulgated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
“On a first read, we are heartened by CMS’s effort to streamline the rate-development process in a way that will improve the timeliness of rate certifications. A recent CMS scorecard on Medicaid has shown the frequency with which rate development and certification lag behind the start of a managed care contract rating period – in fact, base rate certifications are finalized before a contract begins less than 40 percent of the time. We applaud this approach wherein CMS gathers data, makes it public, and most importantly uses it to guide improvement.”
“That said, it would appear that a number of opportunities have been missed with this proposed update. While we’re pleased that CMS increased flexibility for states and plans by reinstating their ability to certify rate ranges, they could have taken further steps to extend transparency in rate-setting between states and plans, and to require states to disclose in a timely manner enough information to allow plans to replicate the rate-setting methodology.
“We also look forward to continuing to contribute our view on refining the Quality Reporting System and aligning its measures with core measures of behavioral health and pediatric care that states will be required to report thanks to recent acts of Congress.
“We will continue to read and analyze this proposed regulation and look forward to, in consultation with our member Safety Net Health Plans, provide feedback to CMS at the appropriate time. We look forward to the opportunity to continue the dialogue.”
About ACAP
ACAP represents 63 not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans in 29 states, which collectively serve more than 21 million people enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other public health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
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