Policy Updates

California lawmakers and healthcare stakeholders have reached a major deal that represents the largest-ever investment in Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, Politico reported June 24.

CMS is proposing a new pathway for Medicare coverage of new treatments designated as breakthrough devices. 

From proposed price transparency requirements under Medicaid to a new No Surprises Act website, these are 13 CMS moves reported by Becker's since April 1:

CMS officials are urging states to double-down on efforts to prevent people from unnecessarily losing Medicaid coverage. 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is urging states to do more to prevent people from losing Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill allowing Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to reorganize as a nonprofit holding company.

HHS has added 25 drugs to its list of products eligible for Inflation Reduction Act rebates. 

The FDA and CMS are discussing how to handle obesity drugs in Medicare, Bloomberg Law reported June 7. 

Medicare will cover drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease if they receive full FDA approval, the agency said June 1. 

UnitedHealthcare is not implementing a gastroenterology endoscopy prior authorization policy set to take effect June 1 and instead will set up an advance notification process for non-screening GI procedures.