INARF
​​Home | login | contact us
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Corporate Committees
    • Professional Interest Sections
    • Awards & Recognition
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Membership
    • Member Benefits & Inquiries
    • Organizational Member Directory
    • Associate Member Directory
    • Member Job Postings
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Professional Development
    • INARF 2023 Pre-Conference
    • INARF 2023 Annual Conference >
      • 2023 Schedule & Educational Sessions
      • Artisan Opportunities
      • Sponsor Opportunities
      • Exhibit Opportunities
      • Annual Awards
    • INARF Training Opportunities
    • INARF DSP Initiatives
    • INARF Leadership Academy
  • Technical Assistance
    • Technical Assistance
    • News & Information
    • Resources
  • Governmental Affairs
    • Governmental Affairs
    • INARF PAC
    • Bills Being Watched
    • Statehouse News
    • Take Action Now With VoterVoice!
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Corporate Committees
    • Professional Interest Sections
    • Awards & Recognition
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Membership
    • Member Benefits & Inquiries
    • Organizational Member Directory
    • Associate Member Directory
    • Member Job Postings
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Professional Development
    • INARF 2023 Pre-Conference
    • INARF 2023 Annual Conference >
      • 2023 Schedule & Educational Sessions
      • Artisan Opportunities
      • Sponsor Opportunities
      • Exhibit Opportunities
      • Annual Awards
    • INARF Training Opportunities
    • INARF DSP Initiatives
    • INARF Leadership Academy
  • Technical Assistance
    • Technical Assistance
    • News & Information
    • Resources
  • Governmental Affairs
    • Governmental Affairs
    • INARF PAC
    • Bills Being Watched
    • Statehouse News
    • Take Action Now With VoterVoice!

CMS Releases Long-awaited Medicaid Equal Access Rule

11/3/2015

 
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the highly anticipated Medicaid Equal Access Rule, which will help ensure that Medicaid recipients have equal and adequate access to services. INARF applauds the efforts of its national partner ANCOR in taking the lead on this issue in the wake of the recent US Supreme Court decision, Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc. (Docket No. 14-15), which held that providers cannot sue states over inadequate reimbursement rates. Their leadership and advocacy both with the Administration and Congress were critical in securing the rule’s release. ​

In issuing the final rule with comments, CMS notes that in light of Armstrong the Medicaid equal access rule is needed to strengthen its’ framework for reviewing rates to ensure they are consistent with beneficiary access requirements and include strategies to improve access/care when shortcomings are identified. To that end, the rule provides guidance for states concerning how to ensure that Medicaid recipients have equal access to care as compared to individuals with private insurance. 

Specifically, the final rule requires states to develop an access review plan that sets out the data elements and other information to be used to ensure beneficiary access to mandatory and optional services; to establish new procedures to review the effects of proposed rate reductions and payment restructuring on beneficiary access; and to implement ongoing access monitoring reviews of key services, and additional services as warranted. 

The new Equal Access Rule goes into effect in January. In addition, CMS is seeking feedback concerning approaches the agency and states should consider to ensure better compliance with Medicaid access requirements. Feedback will be accepted until January 4, 2016. INARF plans to develop comments on this issue and will share broadly with members to encourage them to do the same. 

We hope you find this information helpful. Should you have questions or need any additional information, please contact your INARF office.

Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    January 2011
    September 2009
    December 2007

© Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INARF)
    615 North Alabama Street, Suite 410, Indianapolis, IN 46204
    (t) 317-634-4957 / Contact us by email
ANCOR Proud Member Small