MHPA Policy Positions and Issue Briefs

 

Access to Behavioral Health (February 2024)

Federal law mandates Medicaid coverage of many behavioral health benefits with states having the flexibility to cover additional optional behavioral health benefits. However, behavioral health services are not a specifically defined category of Medicaid benefits. With the release of recent federal guidance and the launch of a new Biden-Harris Administration initiative, opportunities have increased for states and stakeholders to support SDOH in the Medicaid program. In this new resource, MHPA details how Medicaid managed care facilitates access to behavioral health care.

 

Social Determinants of Health (January 2024)

Unmet SDOH needs can contribute to decreased access to care and poorer health outcomes. MHPA strongly encourages and supports efforts to address SDOH and the HRSN of Medicaid enrollees. Working with their state partners, Medicaid MCOs have been effectively serving complex populations with person-centered care, including services that address SDOH and HRSN, within the parameters of the Medicaid program for many years; this experience has well-positioned Medicaid MCOs to understand how to best meet and coordinate the medical and non-clinical needs of Medicaid beneficiaries.

 

Policy Recommendations on Post-COVID-19 Redeterminations Period (November 2023)

During the unwinding of continuous coverage requirements tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has offered states numerous flexibilities aiming to minimize procedurally related coverage losses in Medicaid and CHIP. The adoption of these flexibilities has yielded valuable lessons learned which can be carried forward into the post COVID-19 era of Medicaid. As the resumption of eligibility determinations for Medicaid continues, MHPA offers these recommendations.

 

Health Equity in Medicaid (November 2023)

MHPA believes that Medicaid is a health equity program designed to support individuals who are underserved and face complex socioeconomic and clinical circumstances. In furtherance of health equity, MHPA supports efforts to identify and address barriers to care, promote social engagement through tailored outreach and communications, and collect and analyze data to inform and improve outreach and quality of care for traditionally underserved and vulnerable populations.

 

Prior Authorization (October 2023)

It's a phrase that's often used in media reports but is easily misunderstood outside the health care delivery system. Learn the objectives behind "prior authorization" and how it's used throughout the health care sector to enhance patient safety, increase evidence-based care, and reduce overutilization of medically unnecessary or low-value services.

 

Dual Eligibility for Medicare & Medicaid (June 2023)
MHPA supports meeting the health care and social service needs of dually eligible individuals through the delivery of care and services that are coordinated and integrated and that are aligned in the best interests of dually eligible individuals. We believe this approach facilitates the delivery of quality care, better outcomes, and increased value to the health care system through reduced spending and the elimination of silos that create care fragmentation.

 

Medicaid Managed Care (June 2023)
Medicaid MCOs deliver high quality health care to nearly three-quarters of America's 91 million Medicaid enrollees. As policymakers in Congress consider legislation to fund Medicaid, it's imperative that they understand the value of managed care and the impact it has on the lives of their constituents.

 

Rate Setting (May 2023)
MHPA supports adherence to two essential programmatic principles throughout the capitation rate-setting process to ensure the continued financial viability and stability of Medicaid MCOs and the sustainability of the Medicaid program: 1) actuarial soundness and 2) transparency.

 

Medicaid Expansion (May 2023)
Given the impact of Medicaid expansion on beneficiaries, healthcare system stakeholders, taxpayers, and policymakers, we believe states that choose to expand Medicaid are making a positive difference in the health and wellbeing of their state residents.

 

Pharmacy Carve-Outs (September 2022)
MHPA supports integrated care delivery for the Medicaid pharmacy benefit. Pharmacy benefit carve-in models delivered through comprehensive risk-based Medicaid managed care support integrated care for the whole person resulting in improved health outcomes and cost savings.

 

Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (December 2019)
MHPA's support for MLTSS is grounded in the belief that managed long-term services and supports are valued health care options for Medicaid beneficiaries that can make a meaningful difference in their lives, health outcomes, and quality of care.