EOHHS Response to CMS Proposed Medicare Rule – March 7, 2022
On January 6, 2022, CMS released the proposed rule: “Medicare Program: Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs” 2022-00117.pdf (govinfo.gov). In the proposed rule, CMS proposes certain flexibilities for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and to transition Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs) from Demonstration to D-SNP authority. Under our current demonstration authority, One Care is authorized through December 31, 2022.
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) submitted comments to CMS on Monday, 3/7/2022.
EOHHS remains committed to the principles and care model of One Care, and to providing integrated care and delivery system options to our dual eligible members. We look forward to discussing these issues further with stakeholders once CMS publishes a final rule.
Link to the Federal Register page, which includes a link to submit comments:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/12/2022-00117/medicare-program-contract-year-2023-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare-advantage-and The CMS comment period has closed and they are no longer accepting comments.
Additional Resources
One Care, SCO, and Duals Demonstration 2.0 RFI – September 5, 2018
On September 5, 2018, MassHealth released on COMMBUYS a Request for Information (RFI) entitled “One Care, Senior Care Options (SCO), and Duals Demonstration 2.0.” Interested parties are invited to respond to any or all of the RFI questions. MassHealth will accept responses until 10:00 AM on Monday, September 24, 2018. The RFI is available below as well as published on http://www.commbuys.com under document number FY19EHSCBONECARESCODUALSRFI. Submission instructions are included in the RFI.
On September 13, 2018, MassHealth amended the RFI to increase the page limit for responses to 30 pages. The amendment is posted below.
Additional Resources
Second Financial Alignment Extension Opportunity — February 27, 2017
On January 19, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to the three demonstration states authorized through December 31, 2018 — Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington — offering an opportunity to extend their demonstrations for dual eligible individuals for an additional two years, until December 31, 2020.
CMS posted the letter on the CMS Financial Alignment Initiative website at: www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-and-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination-Office/FinancialAlignmentInitiative/FinancialModelstoSupportStatesEffortsinCareCoordination.html under the “Demonstrations” section, and it can also be accessed below.
On February 27, 2017, MassHealth submitted a non-binding Letter of Intent to CMS to extend the One Care demonstration for an additional two years (through 2020). One Care is currently authorized through December 31, 2018. MassHealth’s Letter of Intent is posted below.
Additional Resources
Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Implementation Council for One Care (the Duals Demonstration) — December 2016
December 16, 2016
We have made a new update to the Notice of Opportunity documents to extend the deadline for submission of applications from Friday, December 16, 2016, to Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
December 7, 2016
We have added a new document “Q&A for the One Care Implementation Council Opportunity to Participate” to the Notice of Opportunity materials. This new document is posted below and is also available through COMMBUYS.
November 22, 2016
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is seeking individuals to serve on the Implementation Council for the State Demonstration to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible individuals (adults ages 21 through 64 at time of enrollment who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid), known in Massachusetts as One Care.
In 2013, EOHHS established a 21-member working committee, the Implementation Council, to operate during the One Care Demonstration period. The Implementation Council plays a key role in monitoring access to healthcare and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tracking quality of services, providing support and input to EOHHS, and promoting accountability and transparency. The roles and responsibilities of Implementation Council members include advising EOHHS; soliciting input from stakeholders; examining One Care plan quality; reviewing issues raised through the grievances and appeals process and One Care Ombudsman reports; examining access to services (medical, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports); and participating in the development of public education and outreach campaigns. The Implementation Council develops an annual work plan and meeting agendas. EOHHS anticipates that the Implementation Council will meet monthly or bimonthly through December 31, 2019; however, EOHHS in its sole discretion may terminate the terms of the members of the Implementation Council sooner if the Demonstration ends. The purpose of One Care is to improve quality of care and reduce health disparities, improve health and functional outcomes, and contain health care costs for Dual Eligibles. EOHHS has sole discretion to extend the contracts for Implementation Council members for up to an additional 2 years for any increment of time.
EOHHS seeks to select up to 21 individuals for a new term of the Implementation Council starting in or around February 2017. EOHHS seeks to include MassHealth members with disabilities and their family members or guardians, representatives of community-based organizations, representatives of consumer advocacy organizations, union representatives, and providers, representing the diverse communities affected by One Care as Council members. At least half of all Implementation Council members will be MassHealth members with disabilities or family members or guardians of MassHealth members with disabilities. Members are expected to be available to devote the time needed to perform the roles and responsibilities of the Implementation Council, review all meeting materials in advance of meetings, attend and participate in all meetings, participate in the development of work plan deliverables, and provide advice and guidance to EOHHS. Members should possess strong analytic skills, critical reading skills, and good interpersonal and communication skills. In addition, members must be residents of Massachusetts, and not be employed by a One Care plan.
Interested individuals should submit a completed nomination form and letter of reference by January 10, 2017 at 5:00 PM. The nomination form and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document are available online at www.mass.gov/masshealth/duals under Related Information or on COMMBUYS (www.commbuys.com).
[Directions for accessing the documents through COMMBUYS: (1) Scroll down to the bottom of the COMMBUYS home page and click on “Contract and Bid search.” (2) On the next page click on Bids. (3) On the Advanced Search page enter the keyword “Implementation” in the Bid Description field; from the dropdown menu in the Organization field select 1039-Executive Office of Health and Human Services; click on “find it.” (4) The link for the relevant documents should be at or very near the top of the list. Click on that link.] Email Gerry.Sobkowicz@State.MA.US or call Geraldine Sobkowicz at 617-573-1714 if you need the form and FAQ sent to you or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, which may include obtaining the information in an alternative format.
Additional Resources
First Annual One Care Evaluation Report (Demonstration Year 1)
On September 30, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first annual evaluation report for One Care. This report evaluates One Care’s performance during Demonstration Year 1, from October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014.
The report may be accessed at: www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-and-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination-Office/FinancialAlignmentInitiative/Evaluations.html and is also posted below.
Additional Resources
New Pages for Three-Way Contract, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and Rate Reports
As of February 22, 2016, we have created new pages for information related to the Three-Way Contract, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and capitated rate reports. Previous announcements, documents, and future updates on these topics will be posted on these new pages.
CMS Releases Proposal to Make changes to the CMS-HCC Risk Adjustment Model for Payment Year 2017
On October 28, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposal to revise the CMS-Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) Risk Adjustment Model for Payment Year 2017 to better predict costs for beneficiaries based on their dual status and aged/disabled status. Comments are due November 25, 2015. The CMS proposal can be accessed at: www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Risk-Adjustors.html and is also posted below.
Additional Resources
New Financial Alignment Extension Opportunity — Updated September 2, 2015
On July 16, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance outlining an opportunity for interested states to apply to extend their demonstrations for dual eligible individuals by two years. Interested states must submit a non-binding letter of intent by September 1, 2015.
CMS posted the guidance on the CMS Financial Alignment Initiative website at: www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-and-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination-Office/FinancialAlignmentInitiative/FinancialModelstoSupportStatesEffortsinCareCoordination.html under the “Demonstrations” section, and it can also be accessed below.
On August 28, 2015, MassHealth submitted a non-binding Letter of Intent to CMS to extend the One Care demonstration for an additional two years (through 2018). One Care is currently authorized through December 31, 2016. MassHealth’s Letter of Intent is posted below.
Additional Resources
New Webpage for Fallon Total Care Closure
MassHealth has a created a new page on the One Care website for information related to Fallon Total Care’s closing, including information for members and providers, upcoming meetings and outreach events, resources, member notices, and other updates as they are available. MassHealth has posted the letter Fallon Total Care sent to its enrollees on July 28th about the closure here as well.
Visit the One Care website at www.mass.gov/masshealth/onecare, and go to “News and Community” to access the new page.
A Message for One Care Enrollees and Stakeholders - June 17, 2015
Fallon Total Care, one of the plans contracted with MassHealth and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide One Care as part of the Massachusetts capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration, has decided that they will be leaving One Care as of September 30, 2015. Fallon Total Care provides One Care coverage in Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties to approximately 5,475 individuals.MassHealth assures members who are currently enrolled with Fallon Total Care (FTC) that we will work hard to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, working with current members, FTC, the other One Care plans, our partners at CMS, advocates, and the One Care Implementation Council. One Care members will not lose their MassHealth or Medicare, and all members will have continuous access to health care services, supportive services, and medications. We will be sharing additional information about this transition over the coming weeks and months.
Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Implementation Council for One Care (the Duals Demonstration) – June 23, 2015
Originally announced May 29, 2015.
We have made a new update to the Notice of Opportunity documents to extend the deadline for submission of applications from Friday, June 26, 2015, to Friday July 24, 2015.
We have updated the Notice of Opportunity documents to reflect a change in affiliation for an existing Council member. We have also added a fillable PDF nomination form.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is seeking individuals to serve on the Implementation Council for the State Demonstration to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible Individuals (Duals Demonstration), known in Massachusetts as One Care.
In 2012, EOHHS established a 21 member working committee, the Implementation Council, to operate during the Duals Demonstration. The Implementation Council plays a key role in monitoring access to healthcare and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tracking quality of services, providing support and input to EOHHS, and promoting accountability and transparency. The roles and responsibilities of Implementation Council members include advising EOHHS; soliciting input from stakeholders; examining One Care plan quality, reviewing issues raised through the grievances and appeals process and One Care Ombudsman reports, examining access to services (medical, behavioral health, and Long Term Services and Supports, and participating in the development of public education and outreach campaigns. The Implementation Council develops an annual work plan and meeting agendas. EOHHS anticipates that the Implementation Council will meet monthly or bimonthly through December 2016.
EOHHS seeks to select up to six individuals to fill vacant positions on the Implementation Council. Council members include MassHealth members with disabilities and their family members or guardians, representatives of community-based organizations, representatives of consumer advocacy organizations, union representatives, and providers, representing the diverse communities affected by the Duals Demonstration, to serve on this Implementation Council. At least half of all Implementation Council members will be MassHealth members with disabilities or family members or guardians of MassHealth members with disabilities. At least four of the individuals selected to fill these vacancies will be MassHealth members with disabilities or family members or guardians of MassHealth members with disabilities.
Members are expected to be available to devote the time needed to perform the roles and responsibilities of the Implementation Council, review all meeting materials in advance of meetings, attend and participate in all meetings, participate in the development of work plan deliverables, and provide advice and guidance to EOHHS. Members should possess strong analytic skills, critical reading skills, good interpersonal and communication skills, be a resident of Massachusetts, and not be employed by an Integrated Care Organization (i.e. One Care Plan).
Interested individuals should submit a completed nomination form and letter of reference by Friday, July 24, 2015 at 5:00 PM. The nomination form and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document are available online at www.mass.gov/masshealth/duals under Related Information or on COMMBUYS (www.commbuys.com) by searching the Bid Description field for keyword Implementation. Email Melissa.Morrison@State.MA.US or call Melissa Morrison at 617-573-1611 if you need the form and FAQ sent to you or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, which may include obtaining the information in an alternative format.
Additional Resources
Contracts with One Care Plans
On July 16, 2013, MassHealth and CMS announced that we have signed contracts with three health plans to participate in One Care: MassHealth plus Medicare - Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), Fallon Total Care (FTC), and Network Health. We are excited to be working with these organizations. They have shown a high degree of collaboration, innovativeness, and commitment to serving our members under this new integrated model. They also have strong experience providing quality services to MassHealth members and persons with complex care needs:
- CCA; FTC’s parent company, Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP); and Network Health’s parent company, Tufts Health Plan; all currently offer integrated Medicare and MassHealth plans to dual-eligible individuals age 65 and older through the Senior Care Options program.
- Network Health and FCHP have served thousands of MassHealth members with disabilities as MassHealth Managed Care Organizations.
- CCA received the highest rating from CMS in the last two years for quality and performance by a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for people in Massachusetts aged 65 or over.
- FCHP and Network Health were ranked the #1 and #3 Medicaid health plans in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA’s) 2012-2013 Health Insurance Plan Rankings for Medicaid Plans.
Below is a chart of the plans’ expected service areas for Demonstration Year 1. With this geographic coverage, more than 90,000 individuals will have one or more One Care plans servicing their area. The chart below shows which counties will have one, two or three One Care plans, as well as counties that do not currently have a plan. As previously stated, there will be auto-assignment only in counties with two or more plans serving the full county. Where there is only one plan in a county, that plan would receive self-selected enrollments only. One Care will not be offered in counties without a plan.
| County | CCA | FTC | Network Health | Number of Plans | Auto Assignment? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable | 0 | ||||
| Berkshire | 0 | ||||
| Bristol | 0 | ||||
| Dukes | 0 | ||||
| Essex | X | 1 | N | ||
| Franklin | X | 1 | N | ||
| Hampden | X | X | 2 | Y | |
| Hampshire | X | X | 2 | Y | |
| Middlesex | X | 1 | N | ||
| Nantucket | 0 | ||||
| Norfolk | X | 1 | N | ||
| Plymouth | X (partial) | 1 | N | ||
| Suffolk | X | X | 2 | Y | |
| Worcester | X | X | X | 3 | Y |
The Readiness Review process is still ongoing. All plans will have to demonstrate full readiness, including adequate provider networks, in each county they wish to serve, before they will be permitted to accept enrollments. Based on our reviews to date, we are confident that we are on target to begin enrollments effective October 1.
Read the EOHHS Press Release on One Care.
The final Massachusetts One Care contract is posted below.
Additional Resources
One Care Plan Readiness Update
MassHealth and CMS are pleased to announce that three plans are moving into the final phase of readiness review and contracting for One Care: MassHealth plus Medicare. Commonwealth Care Alliance, Fallon Total Care, and Network Health have completed their submissions for the desk review and provider networks, and are preparing for the final site visit components of the readiness review. The desk review and the plans’ provider network analysis are currently in process. We have finalized the 2013 capitated payment rates and will begin systems testing with all plans the second week in July.
We continue to work toward a One Care start date of October 1, beginning with a period of self-selected enrollment. The first wave of auto-assignment is tentatively scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2014.
MassHealth will be kicking off a broad public awareness and outreach effort in mid-July to ensure that consumers, their families, providers, and other community-based organizations are informed about One Care and prepared for the enrollment process this fall.
We look forward to One Care becoming a reality, in partnership with a solid group of plans that will ensure access to enhanced care coordination and quality for MassHealth members.
RFR for One Care Ombudsman
On June 27, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) issued a Request for Responses (RFR) from qualified entities to provide Ombudsman services for One Care: MassHealth plus Medicare. EOHHS recognizes the importance of potential Enrollees, their families, caregivers, and advocates having accessible avenues of support and assistance, and the need for strong oversight of One Care throughout its implementation. To serve this function EOHHS will select a qualified contractor to provide Ombudsman services for One Care.
The RFR provides details about the qualifications, responsibilities, and requirements for bidders, and information on how to submit responses. Responses to the RFR are due to MassHealth by 4:00 PM (EDT), July 29, 2013.
Update – The deadline for responses has been extended to August 9, 2013. Please see the amendment that is posted on Comm-PASS for additional details.
If you have any questions regarding this procurement, please contact the Procurement Coordinator Lisa Wong at Lisa.D.Wong@State.MA.US.
The RFR is available on the state procurement website COMBUYS (ww.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/procurement-info-and-res/conduct-a-procurement/commbuys) as Document Number 13CBEHSOMBUDSMANSVCSRFR.
One Care Timeline Update
A revised timeline for the implementation of One Care is provided below. These changes have been agreed to by MassHealth and CMS following careful consideration of the time needed to achieve key milestones before enrollment of members into One Care plans begins.
Key dates in the revised timeline include:
| Work Stream | Expected Date | Entity | Action |
| Readiness Review | Mid-June | Plans | One Care plans resubmit provider networks |
| Outreach | July | MA | Public awareness campaign begins |
| Contract | Mid-July | CMS, MA and Plans | Three-way contracts signed |
| Implementation | August | MA and Plans | MassHealth and plan implementation readiness activities |
| Outreach | September 1 | MA | Self-selection letters sent to individuals in target population. Outreach to potential enrollees begins. |
| Marketing | September 1 | Plans | Plan marketing begins |
| Implementation | October 1 | All | One Care start date, self-selection enrollments only |
| Implementation | November 1 | MA | 60 day notice sent to first auto-assignment group (individuals in C1 and F1 rating categories) |
| Implementation | January 1, 2014 | Plans | Effective date for first wave of auto-assignment
|
MassHealth thanks all stakeholders for continuing to work with us on this important initiative.
Duals Demonstration Timeline
After careful consideration, MassHealth and CMS have agreed to certain changes in key dates for the Duals Demonstration implementation. This is to ensure that there is sufficient time for all critical implementation milestones to be achieved before any member is enrolled into an ICO, including robust public awareness and targeted outreach efforts so that individuals have a meaningful opportunity to learn about the Demonstration and select an ICO prior to the auto-assignment process.
For implementation to be successful, all Demonstration stakeholders need certainty around the timeline. MassHealth is committed to working with all stakeholders to accomplish the implementation steps needed to support a date of July 1, 2013 for the first self-selected enrollments to become effective.
Key dates in the revised timeline include:
| ICO Selection Announcement | November 2, 2012 |
| Readiness Review | November 2012 – March/April 2013 |
| 3-Way Contracts | March/April 2013 |
| Learning Collaboratives | March 2013 – Ongoing |
| Implementation Activities | |
| Stakeholder Workgroups: Quality, Notices, Outreach, Admin. Simplification | December 2012 – Ongoing |
| Implementation Council | February 2012 – Ongoing |
| Ombudsperson | May 2013 – Ongoing |
| Public Awareness Campaign | April 2013 - Ongoing |
| Member Outreach Activities (Members can begin to select ICOs for effective date July 1, 2013) |
May 2013 – Ongoing |
| Self-Selected Enrollments Begin | July 1, 2013 |
| Auto-assignments Effective (Members notified at least 60 days prior to the effective date) |
October 1, 2013; January 1, 2014 |
Duals Demonstration Implementation Pathway
Through the Duals Demonstration proposal, RFR and MOU processes, which have featured significant stakeholder engagement, many fundamental aspects of the Demonstration have been solidified. However, MassHealth and CMS continue to develop certain Demonstration components. In letters and other communications, stakeholders continue to raise important questions on a variety of topics — from payment rates and quality measures to ensuring an ongoing consumer voice.
As the Demonstration now moves from a design phase toward implementation with selected ICOs, there will be additional opportunities for CMS, MassHealth and stakeholders to work together on addressing and resolving outstanding issues. The Issue-Response Document posted below outlines a number of issues that stakeholders have raised in the past several months and provides responses from MassHealth. For each issue and response, also noted is the mechanism(s) by which MassHealth anticipates addressing the issue; the mechanisms for approaching these issues may change as MassHealth gains more experience with the Demonstration. Please see the Issue-Response Document for additional details.
MassHealth remains confident that our experience in building new programs, coupled with the strong engagement we have had and continue to have with stakeholders, will lead to successful implementation of this Demonstration.
Additional Resources
Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Duals Demonstration Implementation Council
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is seeking individuals to serve on the Implementation Council for the Massachusetts State Demonstration to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible Individuals (Duals Demonstration).
EOHHS wishes to establish and consult a working committee to operate during the Duals Demonstration. The Implementation Council will play a key role in monitoring access to healthcare and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tracking quality of services, providing support and input to EOHHS, and promoting accountability and transparency. The Implementation Council will develop a work plan and meeting agendas. The roles and responsibilities will likely include advising EOHHS; soliciting input from stakeholders; examining ICO quality, reviewing issues raised through the grievances and appeals process and ombudsperson reports, examining access to services (medical, behavioral health, and LTSS), and participating in the development of public education and outreach campaigns.
EOHHS anticipates that the Implementation Council will meet monthly or bimonthly and will hold meetings across Massachusetts from January 2013 through December 2016.
EOHHS seeks individuals, including MassHealth members with disabilities and their family members or guardians, representatives of community-based organizations, representatives of consumer advocacy organizations, union representatives, and providers, representing the diverse communities affected by the Duals Demonstration, to serve on this Implementation Council. At least half of all Implementation Council members will be MassHealth members with disabilities or family members or guardians of MassHealth members with disabilities.
Members are expected to be available to devote the time needed to perform the roles and responsibilities of the Implementation Council, review all meeting materials in advance of meetings, attend and participate in all meetings, participate in the development of work plan deliverables, and provide advice and guidance to EOHHS. Members should possess strong analytic skills, critical reading skills, good interpersonal and communication skills, be a resident of Massachusetts, and not be employed by an Integrated Care Organization.
Interested individuals should submit a completed nomination form and letter of reference by December 17 at 5:00 PM. The nomination form and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document are available online at www.mass.gov/masshealth/dualsunder Related Information. Email Geraldine.Sobkowicz@state.ma.us or call Geraldine Sobkowicz at 617-573-1678 if you need the form and FAQ sent to you or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, which may include the information in an alternative format.
Additional Resources
Readiness Review for Integrated Care Organizations
MassHealth and CMS have developed a tool to facilitate a joint readiness review process for Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs). This “readiness review tool,” posted below, includes criteria that reflect Demonstration design elements and ICO requirements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between CMS and the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth’s Request for Responses from Integrated Care Organizations, the CMS Capitated Financial Alignment Application, applicable Medicare and Medicaid regulations, and feedback from Massachusetts stakeholders provided in writing and ongoing public meetings.
The criteria provided in this tool are unique to the Massachusetts demonstration and will be used to ensure that the ICOs are ready to serve dual eligible individuals. The criteria span a range of core areas such as care coordination, systems, organizational structure and provider networks. ICOs will be asked to produce documents for review and participate in site visits by CMS and MassHealth based on this tool.
Additional Resources
ICO Selection Announcement
EOHHS has completed the procurement process to select organizations to proceed to contract negotiations to participate as Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) for the Duals Demonstration. We are excited to announce the following selected organizations:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue Inc. (BCBSMA)
- Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan (BMCHP)
- Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA)
- Fallon Total Care, LLC (FTC)
- Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP)
- Network Health, LLC
These organizations will now advance to a joint federal and state Readiness Review process. During the Readiness Review period, EOHHS and CMS will require these organizations to demonstrate full readiness and meet operational requirements. An ICO will not be able to accept enrollments without successfully completing the joint Readiness Review, negotiating and executing a three-way contract, and receiving any necessary state and federal approvals.
These organizations were selected for full (F) or partial (P) Massachusetts counties as follows:
| BCBSMA | BMCHP | CCA | FTC | NHP | Network Health | |
| Barnstable | F | F | F | F | ||
| Berkshire | F | F | ||||
| Bristol | F | F | F | F | ||
| Dukes | F | |||||
| Essex | F | F | F | F | F | |
| Franklin | F | F | F | F | ||
| Hampden | F | F | F | F | F | |
| Hampshire | F | F | F | F | F | |
| Middlesex | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| Nantucket | F | |||||
| Norfolk | F | F | F | F | F | |
| Plymouth | F | F | P | F | F | |
| Suffolk | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| Worcester | F | F | F | F |
We look forward to working with the selected organizations and continuing engagement with all stakeholders in implementation activities.
RFR for Consumer Consultants
On June 19, MassHealth issued a Request for Responses (RFR) from Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) to participate in the Demonstration. EOHHS is issuing a separate RFR seeking the advice of up to six MassHealth members who are Consumers of medical services, behavioral health services and/or LTSS (“Consumer Consultants”). The selected Consumer Consultants will form a paid advisory subcommittee that shares its thoughts and expertise with EOHHS throughout the process of reviewing and evaluating the RFR responses that EOHHS receives from organizations seeking to be ICOs.
Details about the qualifications, responsibilities, and requirements for Consumer Consultants are provided in the RFR, along with information on how individuals can submit responses. Individuals who are interested in serving as Consumer Consultants are asked to submit a short written statement, two references, and some other information to EOHHS. The deadline for responses is July 20, 2012 at 4 PM.
The RFR is available below and on the state procurement website COMMBUYS Resource Center as Document Number 13CBEHSCONSUMERCONSULTANTRFR.
Additional Resources
CMS Guidance for Organizations Interested in Serving as Integrated Care Organizations
CMS has issued two documents of relevance to organizations that are interested in serving as Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) under Duals Demonstration. These documents were distributed on March 30 via HPMS to those organizations who have submitted a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA) to participate in this Demonstration. NOIAs were due to CMS by April 2, 2012. Interested organizations must have submitted a NOIA to CMS by April 2, 2012 in order to be eligible to participate in the Demonstration.
One of the documents issued by CMS is guidance on the Medicare portion of the ICO selection process. The guidance summarizes the Medicare requirements for participation, including approval of a medication therapy management program (MTMP); approval of an integrated plan benefit package (IBP), approval of a formulary, approval of a model of care, and other elements. The guidance also provides an update on the mechanism by which States and CMS will jointly review organizations’ marketing and beneficiary notification materials.
The second document released by CMS is the Demonstration application, which all organizations interested in serving as ICOs must complete and submit to CMS via HPMS. Applications may be submitted until May 24, 2012.
MassHealth and CMS continue to discuss critical aspects of the how the Demonstration will be implemented. The March 30 CMS guidance and Demonstration application represent minimum requirements that organizations interested in serving as ICOs must satisfy. The Request for Responses that MassHealth and CMS expect to jointly issue later this spring will include additional, complementary requirements that reflect MassHealth’s expectations for ICOs and the design process that has proceeded in Massachusetts to date with robust stakeholder input.
Additional Resources
Information Session for Entities that May be Interested in Serving as Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released technical Guidance for Organizations Interested in Offering Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration Plans, which will include entities interested in serving as Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) in Massachusetts’ State Demonstration to Integrate Care for Dual Eligibles. This information includes some important steps that must be completed by prospective ICOs.
This preparation does not obligate you, MassHealth, or CMS to participate in the demonstration. Pending CMS approval of the demonstration, MassHealth and CMS anticipate releasing a Request for Proposals to select the ICOs that will participate.
If you are interested in potentially serving as an ICO in the Massachusetts duals demonstration, it is important that you understand federal ICO requirements. Prospective ICOs will need to complete certain steps to comply with federal requirements before the Massachusetts RFP is released.
On February 1, 2012, representatives from CMS joined MassHealth at an information session to discuss federal requirements and processes with potential ICO participants.
- February 1, 2012, 2 PM – 4 PM
One Ashburton Place, 21st Floor
Boston, MA
Posted below is guidance that CMS distributed. For other materials related to the February 1 meeting, please see Materials from Previous Meetings.
Additional Resources
Report on Risk Adjustment for Dual Eligibles by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute
The Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, has released a report examining the critical need for risk adjustment in programs serving persons dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and describing federal and state experience implementing risk adjustment models. The report is available at: Risk Adjustment for Dual Eligibles: Breaking New Ground in Massachusetts.
MMPI hosted a forum on Wednesday, February 29 to provide an overview of the risk adjustment paper and views on this topic from experts and other states. Materials from the event are available under the Open Meetings section of this website.
Letters of Intent regarding CMS Financial Alignment Models
In July 2011, CMS announced that it is offering opportunities to align financing between Medicare and Medicaid to support improvements in care for dual eligible individuals. The two financing options – managed fee for service, and capitated – were detailed in a letter to State Medicaid Directors (see posting below). On September 30, 2011, MassHealth submitted a Letter of Intent to CMS to pursue the capitated, three-way contract model for our initiative to integrate care for dual
Information Session for Entities that May be Interested in Serving as Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs)
eligibles ages 21-64. MassHealth also submitted a second Letter of Intent expressing our interest in exploring returning the Senior Care Options (SCO) program to a capitated three-way contract. This will allow for more streamlined financial and administrative processes for the SCOs. SCO is not part of the Duals Demonstration.
Additional Resources
Integrating Medicare and Medicaid - Naming Contest
MassHealth is running a contest to name its program to integrate Medicare and Medicaid for dual eligible adults ages 21-64. Additional information about this new program is available at www.mass.gov/masshealth/duals . The name should be easy to say and understand. We need your suggestions!
Here is what we need from you:
- Name of the program? ex: Health Integration Program
- Name the organizations that will serve individuals in its program: ex: Health Integration Programs, Health Integration Organizations
- Why did you choose this name? (optional)
- How do you say/abbreviate it? ex: HIPs ("hips"), HIOs ("H.I.O.s")
Please send your suggestion (either anonymously or with your name if you want bragging rights!) to duals@state.ma.usno later than September 30, 2011 at 5pm.
Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI), a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation - Report on Dual Eligibles in Massachusetts
Additional Resources
CMS July 8, 2011 (State Medicaid Director) SMD Letter
CMS July 8, 2011 SMD Letter (English, PDF 209.98 KB)
CMS July 8, 2011 SMD Letter (English, RTF 463.43 KB)
Downloadable Project Summary with Contact Information
This one pager includes an overview of the project, the website address, and the email address for sharing information and submitting questions. Please download this sheet to share information with your organization or individuals who may be interested. Thank you for helping us to spread the word!
Additional Resources
Federal Coordinated Health Care Office RFI: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Opportunities for Alignment Under Medicaid and Medicare - Published May 16, 2011
Federal Register Notice (English, PDF 710.54 KB)
July 11, 2011 Office of Medicaid Comment Letter on Opportunities for Alignment Under Medicaid and Medicare Request for Information (Section 2602) (English, PDF 3.41 MB)
July 11, 2011 Office of Medicaid Comment Letter on Opportunities for Alignment Under Medicaid and Medicare Request for Information (Section 2602) (English, DOC 398 KB)
Office of Medicaid RFI: Integrating Medicare & Medicaid for Individuals with Dual Eligibility - Released March 18, 2011
Summary of RFI Responses (English, PDF 159.22 KB)
Summary of RFI Responses (English, DOC 101 KB)