The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took a couple of additional steps today to facilitate the state-level implementation of health care reform.  HHS announced two measures to help states assure a simple and seamless enrollment experience for consumers who qualify for Medicaid or who are shopping for health insurance in the Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). First, HHS published proposed rules that will provide enhanced federal funding for states as they streamline and upgrade their Medicaid eligibility systems in preparation for the changes resulting from the ACA in 2014.  Second, HHS announced guidance to help states design and implement the information technology (IT) needed to establish Exchanges. These systems will help enroll people who qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), tax credits or cost-sharing reductions available through the ACA.

These steps complement the competitive funding announcement released on October 29, for “early innovators” – to establish cooperative agreements with up to five states to create models for IT infrastructure that all states can use.

“Individuals will seek health care coverage without necessarily knowing whether they are looking for an Exchange plan, a Medicaid or a CHIP plan,” said Joel Ario, director of the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges. “Effective and efficient data Exchange between state and federal health programs is critical to achieving this one stop shopping experience and today’s guidance establishes the framework and approach that will make this seamless coordination possible.”  (Source: Nov. 3 HHS press release)
Jon Peacock