Posted on

Director Writing for Medicaid Proposal Development

 
 

Description:

Description

SHIFT: Day Job

SCHEDULE: Full-time


 

Be part of an extraordinary team

We are looking for leaders at all levels of the organization who are passionate about making an impact on our members and the communities we serve. You will thrive in a complex and collaborative environment where you take action and ownership to solve problems and lead change. Do you want to be part of a larger purpose and an evolving, high-performance culture that empowers you to make an impact?

Build the Possibilities. Make an extraordinary impact.

Anthem’s Medicaid Proposal Development Team is looking for a Director of Writing for Proposal Development to join its team.   This people leader will lead our internal writing team and editors.  S/he also staffs and manages our live proposal work with external writers to supplement our internal writing staff.  S/he is also responsible for the completion and quality of our Medicaid Proposal writing, tracking performance, and maintaining our core content library.

[This position can work remotely from any US Anthem office]

How you will make an impact:

Responsible for directing and conducting activities related to the development of the Medicaid proposal process, to include strategic messaging and writing and/or support of effective and efficient development of responses to Requests for Proposal(s) to expand the Medicaid business in both new and existing markets. Primary duties may include, but are not limited to: Incorporates evaluation of the market and customer values and develops win themes and tactics to ensure messages are evident in the response and the Company is well-positioned to win the business. Considers the competitive environment, customer goals, objectives, and the RFP requirements in the development of strategies to deliver the Company’s messages effectively and timely. Leads and manages the writing team which includes both internal and external resources and/or leads the development of proposal tools and processes to ensure they are consistent with win themes, style guide, and other presentational tactics, as identified in the RFP Response and Leadership Strategy processes (to include issues management, document production and assessment of the proposal to drive a complete, fully compliant and effective proposal response). Hires, trains, coaches, counsels, and evaluates the performance of direct reports.

Qualifications

BA/BS degree and a minimum of 7 years of related experience including at least 5 years of leadership experience; or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.

Highly preferred skills and experience:

-Former proposal writing experience, preferably on Medicaid Health plan proposals

-People management experience

 
 

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and incentive bonus programs (unless covered by a collective bargaining agreement), medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k) +match, stock purchase plan, life insurance, wellness programs and financial education resources, to name a few.


The health of our associates and communities is a top priority for Anthem. We require all new candidates to become vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, your offer will be rescinded unless you provide – and Anthem approves – a valid religious or medical explanation as to why you are not able to get vaccinated that Anthem is able to reasonably accommodate. Anthem will also follow all relevant federal, state and local laws.


Anthem, Inc. has been named as a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, is ranked as one of the 2020 World’s Most Admired Companies among health insurers by Fortune magazine, and a 2020 America’s Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes. To learn more about our company and apply, please visit us at careers.antheminc.com. Anthem is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact ability@icareerhelp.com for assistance.

 
 

Clipped from: https://anthemcareers.ttcportals.com/jobs/8968963-director-writing-for-medicaid-proposal-development?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

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Team Lead Medicaid Rebates, Piscataway, New Jersey

 
 

Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a TEAM LEAD MEDICAID REBATES, Government Rebate Operations (GRO), to be located in Piscataway, NJ.

Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. (JJHCS) provides contracting, supply chain, business services, and strategic solutions to customers and commercial intermediaries of U.S.-based Johnson & Johnson companies, including hospital systems, health plans, distributors, wholesalers, purchasing organizations, government payer programs, and government healthcare institutions in the U.S. JJHCS also engages with customers to provide streamlined supply chain services for our products that seamlessly integrate with customer operations, address shared evolving market challenges to value-based care, and develop innovative solutions that improve patient care and access.

Acting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical operating companies, the GRO team is responsible for ensuring efficient and compliant participation in base and supplemental Medicaid, Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program (CGDP) and state pharmaceutical assistance rebate programs. The GRO team is relied upon to provide oversight on all issues relating to rebate analysis and payments, adjudication of such payments on a timely basis and resolution of any disputes on rebate claims. Additionally, GRO develops and implements agreed upon rebate policies and advises Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical operating companies on strategic and operational issues pertinent to Federal and state rebate programs.

The selected candidate will:

  • Report to Senior Manager, Government Renate Operations Medicaid Rebates.
  • Supervises base business activities within own sub-team structure, including review of work, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and alignment with guidance documents, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) and Work Instructions.
  • The Team Leader will be responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining talent, support training, and maintain a collaboration environment among employees.
  • Direct people management responsibilities for 5 direct reports.
  • Provide leadership oversight to department initiatives and projects.
  • Expected to be proficient in all transactional processes performed by direct reports and have a thorough understanding of the overall Government Rebate Operations organization.
  • The Team Leader will monitor team efficiency and effectiveness based on pre-determined organization performance metric.
  • Analyze multiple types of invoice submissions and administer all rebate payments on behalf of Johnson & Johnson, including analyzing any State resubmissions and price changes, evaluating market and product trends.
  • Work closely with Johnson & Johnson operating company partners to ensure accurate and timely payments as well as providing vital information in support of financial planning efforts.
  • Ensure accuracy and completeness of payment packages, claim review, commentary and approval for all analyst payments, per the Medicaid Operational Guidelines.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to improve operational efficiency.
  • Utilize various sources of data, state updates and industry knowledge to collectively integrate, evaluate and provide a critical analysis of data/trending.
  • Develop and cultivate key business partnerships especially with States and third-party agencies.
  • Stay fully informed of any new regulatory or government rule changes as it relates to states and Medicaid.

Qualifications

  • A minimum of bachelor’s degree is required.
  • A minimum of six (6) years overall business experience, along with demonstrated progressive responsibility in finance, business operations, administrative services, and analysis is required.
  • Experience in Medicaid, Finance, Rebate Management, or Contract Administration is required.
  • Three years supervisory experience either direct report or dotted line oversight is required.
  • Experience with workload distribution and monitoring of department timelines required.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence key stakeholders and decision makers using sound business rationale.
  • Project management experience required; Lean certification preferred.
  • Sound business knowledge and experience in relation to contracting and contract compliance processes is required.
  • The ability to anticipate and communicate the upstream and downstream impacts of process or data changes and provide recommendations for improvement is required.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required.
  • Knowledge and usage of SOPS and WIs is required.
  • Experience with CORE (or relevant Medicaid contracting/rebate system), Model N and Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Content Manager (HPE) is required.

 
 

Clipped from: https://www.myvalleyjobstoday.com/jobs/team-lead-medicaid-rebates-piscataway-new-jersey/597677359-2/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

Posted on

Technical Writer, Medicaid LTSS job

 
 

 
 

Found in: Whatjobs US Premium – 5 hours ago

Austin, United States Sellers Dorsey & Associates, LLC Full time

Description/Job Summary

The Technical Writer develops content and proposal responses focused on long term services and supports (LTSS)for Medicaid managed care Request for Proposals (RFP) for Sellers Dorsey’s National Consulting Practice. The National Consulting Practice provides consulting services to a diverse portfolio of clients including Medicaid and Medicare health plans, state and governmental health-related agencies, health care companies and providers, private equity firms, and health-related trade associations. The Technical Writer collaborates with internal and external teams and subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop LTSS proposal responses that are compelling, compliant, and competitive. The Technical Writer facilitates the review and compilation of content and SME feedback during Color Team meetings (e.g., pink team, red team, gold team) for assigned LTSS sections, ensures content conveys appropriate win themes and messages, and incorporates proof and evidence into proposal responses to substantiate our client’s offering.


You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you tackle challenging and rewarding assignments. Sellers Dorsey offers market-competitive compensation that includes merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability benefits, 401(k) +match, life insurance, wellness programs, and financial education resources.


Responsibilities/Duties


Provides LTSS proposal writing support on client consulting engagements including:


Participate in procurement strategy sessions to help clients prepare for upcoming RFPs


Work with client’s SMEs to develop proposal content for Medicaid Managed Care procurements


Participate in proposal review process (e.g., pink team, red team, gold team) with client project team


Work with client’s SMEs to refine content throughout proposal review process


Ensures timely delivery of deliverables by establishing and adhering to proposal timelines and proactively engaging and communicating with proposal stakeholders


Provides other writing support and LTSS subject matter expertise on current client engagements:


Works with Sellers Dorsey Directors and staff to develop client deliverables (e.g., white papers, market research reports, strategic plans, presentation materials)


Reviews/edits client deliverables and presentations for internal project teams upon request


Strong writing, organization, critical thinking, problem solving, facilitation, and communication skills with an emphasis on LTSS programs. Adept at handling multiple priorities, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines. Ability to effectively collaborate with others and work in teams.


Required Qualifications


Education and Work Experience:


Bachelor’s degree


5+ years of writing experience with expertise in LTSS programs in a professional business or government setting is required


3+ years of experience in Medicaid or other health care programs is required


Experience meeting deadlines is required


Experience in response preparation for government and commercial procurements is required


Experience or knowledge in Managed Care Organization operations preferred


Skills:


Demonstrated oral and written communication skills (writing exercise and/or samples will be required)


Immaculate attention to detail


Familiarity with the Shipley method


Highly efficient, flexible, and motivated


Proven group presentation and facilitation skills


Excellent analytical and organizational skills


Ability to work independently and in teams


Ability to manage multiple priorities while adhering to timelines and meeting all deadlines


Ability to exercise mature judgment to identify problems and offer solutions


Ability to interact professionally with team members and clients


Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint


Able to work evenings and weekends as proposal schedule requires


Ability to travel 15%


Details


Core Behaviors and Competencies:


Build positive relationships within and outside the Firm


Treat clients, strategic partners and fellow employees with respect and professionalism in all interactions


Take ownership for one’s professional development by increasing knowledge, skills and abilities in areas that are critical to the Firm’s success


Collaborate and share knowledge with other Firm staff


Demonstrate formal and ad hoc team leadership in projects, issues or organizations that are critical to achieving the Firm’s strategic goals


Be self-motivated, and be an advocate for one’s abilities and talents, both internally and externally


Key Performance Metrics/Expectations:


Successful completion of deliverables, tasks, projects


Professional development


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Clipped from: https://us.trabajo.org/job-982-20220520-e42077c28cddfcc6d054d81d2f80f9ce?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

Posted on

Senior Medicaid Business Analyst Job in Austin, TX at Hireblazer

 
 

Title: Senior Medicaid Business Analyst

Duration: 3+ Months

Location: Austin, TX (Locals to Texas only)

Note: Resumes will not be accepted from applicants outside of Texas***

The services to be provided include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Analyzes program policies, procedures, and initiatives to determine the impact on business systems and functional areas.
  • Analyzes and reviews complex project deliverables such as project charters, business user requirements, design documentation, test plans, and risk assessment plans to ensure business requirements are met.
  • Acts as a Product Owner and liaison between State Staff and Vendors to translate operational and business requirements to vendors.
  • Reports project statuses to management based on established timelines.
  • Analyzes and writes User Stories with Acceptance Criteria based on business needs and according to the Agile methodology.
  • Develops business user test scenarios and participates in systems and user acceptance testing.
  • Identifies potential project risks and issues and develops mitigation strategies.
  • Manages schedule for deliverables as established.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 5 Years of Required Experience in requirements gathering and translating business needs into technical objectives and identifying solutions to satisfy the business need.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience reporting project status to management including risks, issues, and key decisions.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience identifying project risks and issues; and developing/implementing mitigation strategies.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience in effective general written/oral communication, including documenting requirements, deliverables, test scenarios and project status.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience utilizing business analysis skills and interacting with business end users and technical staff.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience performing review and approval processes of complex technical user and system requirements written by vendors.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience with Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, etc.).
  • 5 Years of Required Experience coordinating and developing test strategies and test scenarios.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience with Microsoft Project or similar project management software.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience utilizing the Agile methodology or other form of adaptive software development methodology.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience working in a team environment.
  • 5 Years of Required Experience with Medicaid systems and processes.
  • 2 Years of Required Experience in claims processing.
  • 4 Years of Preferred Knowledge of Texas Medicaid programs.
  • 2 Years of Preferred Experience with long term care services.

 
 

Clipped from: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/c/Hireblazer/Job/Senior-Medicaid-Business-Analyst/-in-Austin,TX?jid=ae3a565eead0e124&utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

Posted on

Eligibility Specialist – Medicaid Eligibility – UNC Health Care

 
 

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:
Performs technical work in obtaining Medicaid/Social Security (SSI) insurance coverage for indigent patients to expedite reimbursement for medical services. Will take the patient through the entire Medicaid application process from application to award or denial. Will have authority to represent the Health Care System at each of the four levels of appeals when applications are denied.

***This position qualifies for a $5,000 commitment incentive, paid over a three (3) year commitment. Payment of $1,500 will be made within the first thirty (30) days of employment. The remaining will be paid after each six (6) month period of work completed. Learn more here:https://jobs.unchealthcare.org/pages/revenue-cycle-commitment-incentive-program***
 

Responsibilities:
1. Obtains detailed personal, financial and asset information to determine if patient qualifies for one of ten Medicaid/SSI programs. Completes or assists the patient with completion of Medicaid application. Explains the programs and advises patients of methods to become eligible by rearranging finances and assets. Follows through with applicants to obtain accurate and complete information within strict timeframes. Positions must have substantive knowledge of various rules and regulations governing the ten Medicaid programs. Interprets and applies frequent changes in program regulations to expedite applications.
2. Reviews denials from Medicaid/SSI and researches denial information with patients. Advocates for patient coverage with local and state Medicaid offices to obtain reversal of initial denial. Abstracts information, prepares appeals and represents UNC Health Care System in appeal hearings at local, state (Division of Medical Assistance), Office of Administrative Hearings, and state court to present supportive evidence for patients denial reversal
 

Other Information

Education Requirements:
● Associate’s degree in an appropriate discipline (or equivalent combination of education, training and experience).
Professional Experience Requirements:
● If an Associate’s degree: Two (2) years of experience in a social services or healthcare organization.
● If a High School diploma or GED: Four (4) years of experience in a social services or healthcare organization.
 

 
 

Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH

Entity: Shared Services
 

Organization Unit: Medicaid Eligibility 

Work Type: Full Time
 

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Raleigh

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

 
 

 
 

Clipped from: https://www.monster.com/job-openings/eligibility-specialist-medicaid-eligibility-raleigh-nc–5586b999-254d-485e-8d21-c9c7baabd8a3?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

 

Posted on

Medical Director (Medicaid) | CVS Health

 
 

Job Description


Aetna, a CVS Health Company, is one of the oldest and largest national insurers. That experience gives us a unique opportunity to help transform health care. We believe that a better care system is more transparent and consumer-focused, and it recognizes physicians for their clinical quality and effective use of health care resources.


**This is a remote based (work from home) role and can be based anywhere in the US.**


Aetna Medicaid is looking for a Medical Director to be part of a centralized team that supports the Medical Management staff ensuring timely and consistent responses to members and providers related to precertification, concurrent review, and appeal request. Aetna operates Medicaid managed care plans in sixteen states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The Medical Director is a work-at-home position supporting the Aetna Medicaid line of business in these sixteen states, offering a variety of physical and behavioral health programs and services to its membership.


Required Qualifications


 

  • 2 or more years of experience in Health Care Delivery System e.g., Clinical Practice and Health Care Industry.
  • Active and current state medical license without encumbrances
  • M.D. or D.O., Board Certification in a recognized specialty including post-graduate direct patient care experience


COVID Vaccine Required :


Yes


COVID Requirements


COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement


CVS Health requires certain colleagues to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any booster shots if required), where allowable under the law, unless they are approved for a reasonable accommodation based on disability, medical condition, religious belief, or other legally recognized reasons that prevents them from being vaccinated.


You are required to have received at least one COVID-19 shot prior to your first day of employment and to provide proof of your vaccination status or apply for a reasonable accommodation within the first 10 days of your employment. Please note that in some states and roles, you may be required to provide proof of full vaccination or an approved reasonable accommodation before you can begin to actively work.


Preferred Qualifications


 

  • Health plan/payor experience.
  • Electronic medical systems/record experience
  • Managed Care experience


Education


  • Active and current state medical license without encumbrances
  • M.D. or D.O., Board Certification in a recognized specialty including post-graduate direct patient care experience


     

Clipped from: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/medical-director-medicaid-at-cvs-health-3077250460/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

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RI cancels bid process for $7 billion Medicaid contract after insurer snafus

[MM Curator Summary]: RI will give incumbents who would have been disqualified if procurement rules were followed a do-over.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Rhode Island is starting over on a bidding process for the state’s huge Medicaid managed care contract, worth $7 billion over five years, effectively reopening the door for disqualified insurance companies to try again.

The R.I. Department of Administration confirmed the decision shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, citing policy changes made by federal regulators related to the Medicaid program – meaning the contract language would need to be updated and the process would have to start over. 

But the decision also comes just days after Target 12 first requested information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s bid, which had been submitted with a blank CD and no paper copy, raising questions about whether Rhode Island’s largest insurance company would be disqualified. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield refused to answer questions about the issue, and the state didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment on the matter before announcing the process would start over.

A document obtained by Target 12 shows state officials discovered the problem with the Blue Cross CD on March 8, and leaders at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services sought to scrap the entire bidding process soon after. But purchasing officials at the Department of Administration blocked the health agency from doing that, and in April repeatedly told Medicaid staffers to pick up the bid documents and move forward.

On April 27, Health and Human Services leaders cited the revised federal regulations as a new reason to throw out the original bids, and purchasing officials signed off on the decision Friday.

It’s unclear when Blue Cross learned about its disqualification. “We cannot discuss our bid at this time as the state is still in the midst of its procurement process,” Melanie Coon, a spokesperson for the insurer, told Target 12 earlier this week. She directed a follow-up question to the state.

This isn’t the first time there’s been an issue with the Medicaid bidding process, which will eventually turn into the most lucrative state contract awarded in Rhode Island’s state government.

As Target 12 first reported in March, Tufts Health Plan submitted its bid for the contract two minutes after the deadline, effectively disqualifying them from the process. Tufts blamed traffic ahead of a snowstorm.

The elimination of both Tufts and Blue Cross could have benefited the four remaining companies who apparently submitted their bids correctly: MolinaHealthcare of Rhode Island Inc., Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, United Healthcare of New England, and Commonwealth Care Alliance.

Under the current Medicaid managed care contact, which will expire a year from July, Neighborhood administers coverage for about 174,000 patients, while United Healthcare has 97,000 patients and Tufts has 17,000. The three companies together handle insurance for about 85% of all Medicaid recipients in Rhode Island. (The rest are not in managed care programs.)

TARGET 12: How 2 minutes may cost RI health insurer hundreds of millions

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

Clipped from: https://www.wpri.com/target-12/ri-cancels-bid-process-for-7-billion-medicaid-contract-after-insurer-snafus/

Posted on

Biden set to extend federal COVID-19 emergency: What it means for Ohio

[MM Curator Summary]: Biden will likely extend the PHE again to give Dems cover for upcoming at-risk elections.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

 
 

President Joe Biden’s administration is set to extend the COVID-19 health emergency declaration beyond July 15, which is when it is currently set to expire.

The extension from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services means that hundreds of thousands of Ohioans at risk of losing health coverage and other benefits will continue to keep them for now.

Earlier in the year, many had anticipated that the pubic health emergency would no longer be extended as the nation settled down from the omicron wave and COVID-19 restrictions were loosened.

The likely extension, reported by Bloomberg, may not be the last 90-day extension and could continue, depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political climate. Cases are significantly lower than they were this past winter, but are on the rise again.

Ending the public health emergency is more than just saying the U.S. has moved on from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its declaration allows for special provisions to help Ohioans affected by the virus and has very real-life consequences.

Ohio impact

With the extension, any vaccines or COVID-19 treatments under emergency use authorization can continue to be used. That currently includes vaccines for children between 5 and 15 years old. As of May 12, only 30% of Ohioans ages 19 and younger had been vaccinated, per state data.

The extension also continues to allow for health coverage flexibilities around COVID-19 tests, treatment and the use of telehealth. 

At least 400,000 Ohioans relying on Medicaid — government-paid health insurance for low-income or disabled people — could have lost coverage had the Public Health Emergency not been extended.

Instead, that process will play out later, and it’s one that can be very messy and difficult in determining who is not eligible and lose benefits. Mistakes could happen, where people who are still eligible (or still low-income) might accidentally be removed. 

That will pose headaches for the Ohio Department of Medicaid, which is trying to launch its revamped system on time. It recently pushed most of the launch back to avoid conflicting with the eligibility checks, but it now may need to readjust the timeline again.

The public health emergency prevented those on Medicaid from being disenrolled because Ohio saw a big boost in federal money to help cover them. The state received around $300 million every three months in federal money. That boost will go away when the declaration ends.

The declaration continuing also means temporary food stamp increases will remain in place at a time when inflation is affecting Ohioans. 

Titus Wu is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Clipped from: https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/government/2022/05/17/biden-extends-federal-covid-19-emergency-what-means-ohio-medicaid-food-stamps-snap-ohio-reforms/9768602002/

Posted on

Medicaid Regains Power to Deduct From Home Health Workers’ Pay

[MM Curator Summary]: It took them 5 years, but SEIU successfully got $20M in Medicaid-funded union dues restored.

 
 

The article below has been highlighted and summarized by our research team. It is provided here for member convenience as part of our Curator service.

 
 

State Medicaid programs will regain the authority they lost in the Trump era to withhold union dues and deductions for benefits from home health workers’ payments.

The Biden administration final rule (RIN 0938–AU73), published Thursday, is the latest move in a back-and-forth disagreement between Democratic and Republican administrations over how Medicaid programs should interact with home health workers and their unions.

At issue is how to interpret a provision of the Medicaid statute prohibiting payments to anyone other than the person or institution who provided a covered service. The new rule includes amended language specifying that payments to third parties for benefits such as health insurance and training aren’t excluded by the statutory prohibition.

The Obama administration said in a 2014 rule allowing payments to unions that the prohibition was intended to prevent “factoring arrangements,” in which providers sold reimbursement claims for a percentage of their value to companies that would then submit the claims to the state.

The goal of the prohibition wasn’t to prevent Medicaid programs from carrying out basic employer-like responsibilities such as withholding payments for benefits and training, the Obama-era rule said.

The Trump administration reversed course in a 2019 rule that interpreted the prohibition to exclude such payments.

The change will help strengthen and stabilize the home health workforce by supporting training and improving benefits, the Biden administration rule said.

Medicaid has become increasingly reliant on the home health workforce in recent years as federal health-care policy has shifted to encourage care in the home and community rather than in institutions. Over 50% of Medicaid spending on long-term care now takes place in the home and communities, up from less than 10% in the 1980s.

“Deductions for these purposes are an efficient and effective method for ensuring that the workforce has provisions for basic needs and is adequately trained for their functions, thus ensuring that beneficiaries have greater access to such practitioners and higher quality services,” the rule said.

Workers covered by the rule are those for whom Medicaid is the primary source of revenue. Worker consent to deductions will be required.

Around 3.4 million people are employed as home health workers and personal care aides in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At least 800,000 of them are currently union members, according to the Service Employees International Union.

 
 

Clipped from: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/medicaid-regains-power-to-deduct-from-home-health-workers-pay