|
Policy Update
HFS Answers ARPA Reporting Questions
Last week, HFS issued FAQs related to the ARPA Funding Reporting.
Important: They are requiring everyone to spend funds by June 30, 2024, and submit your report by no later than September 30, 2024. To review the FAQs, click here.
HFS Appropriations Hearing
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Lizzy Whitehorn and her leadership team testified before the House Appropriations Health and Human Services Committee on April 18, 2024. The Director highlighted the Department's mission, programming, and priorities.
The Director reported that nearly 1 in 3 Illinoisans are served by HFS through health care and child support programs. HFS provides healthcare to more than 3.9 million Illinoisans, which is more than any other insurer. In FY23, the Department provided medical coverage to more than 25% of the State’s population, with 80% of enrollees covered by managed care organizations and 20% covered by fee-for-service.
HFS’ quality strategy establishes a framework for the ongoing improvement of MCO performance, the identification of potential opportunities for increased care coordination, and the prioritization of equity across all MCO quality management activities. Ways in which HFS is holding MCOs accountable include: (1) monitoring and incentivizing quality outcomes through Pay for Performance (P4P) and Pay for Reporting (P4R); (2) 2% quality withhold; (3) partnering on innovations that address health-related social needs; and (4) ensuring practices that reduce disparities and promote racial equity.
For more information on HFS’ FY25 goals and investments, please click here.
DOL Overtime Pay
The U.S. Department of Labor released a final rule on April 23, 2024, raising the salary threshold to qualify for certain overtime exemptions under federal law. It significantly raises the minimum salary threshold for certain workers—executives, professionals, and administrative personnel—which means employers will need to raise those employees’ salaries or reclassify them as eligible for overtime. The rule will raise the salary threshold for the overtime exemption to $43,888 effective July 1, 2024, a 23% increase over the current level. In January the salary will increase to $58,656, a 64.9% increase. Learn more here.
Early Implementation of the HCBS Quality Measure Set for Money Follows the Person (MFP) States
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided guidance during their recent All-State Call hosted by the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS), announcing that the 41 states and territories receiving Money Follows the Person (MFP) funding will be required to begin reporting on a subset of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measures Set, which was released in July 2022 (SMDL 22-003). Importantly, these states must report on all their section 1915(c), (i), (j), and (k) programs and section 1115 demonstrations that include HCBS services for major population groups, not just those programs that would enroll MFP participants. Reporting will be required in September 2026 for measures collected in 2025. Additional details on requirements and written guidance will be released by CMS later. View transcript of call here.
Click here for additional information.
| 
