Next Steps in the 1115 Waiver Renewal Process
During November, AHCCCS held four public forums, and presented information at numerous other public meetings, to elicit public comment on its 1115 Waiver renewal request. All public comments will be compiled and included in the final waiver submission due to CMS by December 31, 2020. Read more about the waiver renewal process on the Waiver Renewal web page and watch this video that explains how state plan amendments and the 1115 Waiver are used to serve Medicaid members.
|
|
Telehealth Utilization Increases During Pandemic
AHCCCS covers all forms of telehealth services including asynchronous (store and forward), remote patient monitoring, teledentistry, and telemedicine (interactive audio and video). Between November 2019 and November 2020, AHCCCS has seen a 165 percent increase in telehealth utilization.
To accommodate members’ needs during the public health emergency, AHCCCS added policy flexibilities including an expanded temporary telephone code set. Those flexibilities are due to expire Sept. 30, 2021. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues beyond this end-date, the agency will re-evaluate its expiration. Telephone code sets, along with additional medical coding information and guidance, are posted on the AHCCCS Medical Coding Resources web page.
|
|
AHCCCS Enrollment Tops 2 Million
In July 2020, AHCCCS enrollment surpassed the 2 million mark, due in large part to the increased federal funding allocated to Medicaid through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and its accompanying stipulation that no member be disenrolled (with exceptions for voluntary withdrawal, relocation out of state, death, and for KidsCare members when they turn age 19 and do not qualify for another medical assistance category) over the course of the federally declared public health emergency. From March 2020 to November 2020, AHCCCS’ enrollment has increased by 12 percent.
In order to minimize future eligibility determination backlogs upon the termination of the public health emergency, AHCCCS has resumed sending “response required” renewal letters to members whose eligibility cannot be determined automatically. Although no member will be disenrolled, AHCCCS encourages members who receive these requests to respond promptly.
|
|
Dana Flannery Accepts Senior Policy Advisor Position
Dana Flannery, assistant director of the Division of Community Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations, has accepted additional responsibilities as a senior policy advisor for the director. In this role, she will serve as a source of guidance for the director and a conduit between the agency’s divisions and the executive team. With this change, Dana will become a permanent member of the executive team, which includes the agency’s director, two deputy directors, and the chief medical officer.
Dana’s current duties as assistant director, overseeing the Office of Human Rights, the Office of Individual and Family Affairs, and the Federal Relations and Communications team, will continue.
|
|
Service Confirmation Portal Training Session Posted
|
|
Peer and Family Forum
Wed., Dec. 2, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) and Family Support Specialists (FSS) are often on the front lines of navigating the healthcare system. AHCCCS OIFA wants to hear from PRSS and FSS about experiences, successes, and challenges.
Quarterly Tribal Consultation
Community Quality Forum
Tues., Dec. 15, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
