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February 13, 2023
Medicaid Monday: The Unwinding Has Begun
Beginning January 28, Texans enrolled in Medicaid started receiving notice from HHSC informing them of the Medicaid unwinding. The end of continuous Medicaid coverage means millions of Texans who have not had to reapply for Medicaid in the last three years will have to go through the process soon. Members who have not signed up for alerts on YourTexasBenefits.com will receive a letter in the mail.
Featured
January 26, 2023
TAHP Supports Bills to Create More Affordable Health Coverage Options for Employers
This week, Sen. Drew Springer filed SB 605 which would give Texas employers the flexibility to select the best value in health insurance for their employees. It is the companion bill to HB 1001 by Rep. Giovanni Caprilione. Both bills would allow health plans to offer coverage that meets all the protections of insurance but is exempt from mandates that go beyond federal requirements.
Featured
January 26, 2023
TAHP’s Legislative Guide is here
TAHP’s agenda focuses on creating increasing affordable coverage and building on the success of Medicaid managed care in the state.
The full guide gives a comprehensive explanation of health insurance issues for the legislative session, the agenda focuses on key, proactive items.
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August 17, 2022
Enhanced ACA Subsidies Mean More Coverage for Texans
Yesterday, President Biden signed broad ranging legislation that includes several major health care initiatives, including extending the enhanced subsidies for ACA health plans. First part of the American Rescue Plan Act, these enhanced subsidies help make coverage affordable for many Americans, but were set to expire at the end of this year. Under the new legislation, the enhanced subsidies will go through 2025.
August 8, 2022
Medicaid Monday: Managed Care Organizations Partnering with HHSC To Address Eligibility Issues After the Public Health Emergency
As the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency approaches, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is actively preparing to complete a large number of eligibility and enrollment actions. Beginning as soon as mid-October, an estimated 3.7 million Texans will need to have their Medicaid eligibility redetermined. For those individuals who found themselves needing Medicaid for the first time during the pandemic, this will be their first experience with the redetermination process.
July 28, 2022
Value of Coverage: Healthy Communities
Health plans focus not just on the health of individual members, they also invest in the health of communities. By helping to build strong communities, health plans support better health outcomes for everyone. Since the beginning stages of the pandemic, Superior HealthPlan has worked with more than 70 schools and organizations in Texas to launch and fund hygiene closets for lower-income neighborhoods. Grants to the community-based organizations hosting the closets help organizations meet people’s basic needs and create community connection.
June 27, 2022
Medicaid Monday: Mental Health Innovations in Managed Care
In 2021, 34.2% of adults in Texas reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Experiencing mental health challenges can have long-lasting consequences, especially for vulnerable populations. Every Texan deserves access to mental health services. Today’s Texas Medicaid managed care organizations provide a broad spectrum of screenings and treatment services for mental health conditions and substance use disorders with timely access for members and appropriate follow-up care. Managed care allows for flexibility in developing new models of service delivery that are not possible in traditional fee-for-service.
June 16, 2022
Value of Coverage: Mental Health
People with health insurance have better access to care, and importantly that includes mental health care. Two recent studies show that people with insurance not only have better access to mental health services, but they are overwhelmingly satisfied with the services they receive.
June 13, 2022
Medicaid Monday: Managed Care Means Innovation
In Texas, the 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver allows the state to expand managed care, which allows for innovations not permitted in traditional fee-for-service Medicaid. Since the inception of managed care, ensuring high-quality care for members has been the work of managed care organizations. Here are some ways Texas managed care health plans go beyond the walls of a doctor’s office to increase community access to services, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and improve the quality of members’ lives.
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Articles written by TAHP’s team of policy experts that examine the research, trends, and impact of the most important health care policy issues facing Texas and the country today.
Weekly news clips assembled by the TAHP team that highlight the top headlines from the health insurance and health care worlds, as well as important political updates.