Summary
OMB Updates
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently completed its review of a final rule that would establish the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021’s (CAA) provisions to extend Medicare Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs beyond 36 months after transplant and simplify Medicare enrollment rules, including the proposed creation of several special enrollment periods (SEPs). The rule could be released as early as today. Our summary of the proposed rule is available here.
In addition, OMB is currently reviewing two other noteworthy regulations, both focused on the individual market:
- A Request for Information (RFI) on the Essential Health Benefits (EHBs). Though no details on the RFI re included, it may be in response to the recent court decision that partially struck down the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) requirement that insurers cover certain types of preventive care without cost sharing (details).
- The proposed rule for the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, which would propose annual changes and updates to ACA Marketplace rules.
WHG Roundup: Looking Ahead on Medicaid
Amid the looming expiration of COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released numerous guidance documents and tools to help states prepare for the unwinding of the continuous coverage requirements for Medicaid. This week, we provide a roundup of new Medicaid resources, policy developments, and anticipated policy changes. The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) will also meet later this week to continue their discussions about the unwinding of the PHE, among other topics. Notably, MACPAC will also begin work on potential recommendations for structuring disproportionate share hospital allotments during economic crises.