July 31, 2023
Payers | Tea Leaves
  • An analysis from the American Academy of Actuaries offers a look into the major factors that could lead to rising premiums in the individual and small group markets next year. According to the report, the top issues to watch over the next several months include ongoing inflation, the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and shifts in coverage provided by small employers. The actuaries noted that health care costs have grown at a rate faster than inflation, and contract renewals with providers are expected to reflect this, leading to higher reimbursement rates. (Article here; Report here)
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved proposals from California and Kentucky for community-based mobile crisis intervention teams to provide Medicaid crisis services. The two states are the latest to have mobile crisis teams approved, with Oregon being the first state to gain approval in September. Under the American Rescue Plan, states can create Medicaid crisis teams under a program that will grant them an 85 percent federal match for three years, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. This allows the on-the-ground teams to connect people with behavioral providers as a first point of care at any time of day. (Article here)