The Rundown | Week of 1.8.2018

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CMS Shares New Medicaid Work Requirements

This Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared new guidelines that allows states to implement work requirements in exchange for health insurance, according to a new NPR report. States could require able-bodied Medicaid enrollees, excluding people who are disabled or elderly, pregnant women, and children, “to work, volunteer or participate in job-training.”

>>Read more about CMS’s new guidelines: “Trump Administration Will Let States Require People To Work For Medicaid”

The Scramble for CHIP Continues

A new NPR report profiles how pediatricians and states are dealing with the Children’s Health Insurance Program funding shortage. The program provides coverage to 9 million lower-income children. After a delay in re-funding this program from Congress, many parents and pediatricians are panicked. Dr. Mahendra Patel, a pediatric cancer doctor, has started to give away medications to help his serious patients maintain their health. Some states plan to use their own state funds to cover these costs in what is considered a very unusual solution as the federal government usually covers 90% of these costs. Republican lawmakers, Senator John Cornyn and Representative Greg Walden told the press that a solution is close.

>>Read more: “Scramble Is On To Care For Kids If Insurance Coverage Lapses”

Payer Sued for Providing Inadequate Access

Payer Centgene has been named in a lawsuit claiming that the healthcare insurer does not provide adequate access to doctors in fifteen states, reports the New York Times. “As insurers like Centene have relied on smaller networks to control costs and better manage the care of patients, consumer advocates have raised concerns about whether some plans offered under the law provide sufficient access to doctors and hospitals. The law requires plans to meet certain minimum requirements.”

>>Read more: “Health Insurer Centene Is Sued Over Lack of Medical Coverage”

Connecticut Supreme Court Confirms Doctor-Patient Confidentiality

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Monday that doctors have a duty to keep patients’ medical records confidential and can be sued if they don’t, overturning a lower court’s decision that ruled that Connecticut didn’t recognize doctor-patient confidentiality, The AP reports.

>>Read more: “Yes, There is Doctor-Patient Confidentiality”