Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act

Mental health policy; Role of psychiatric pharmacists and reimbursements for the same; Enable access to mental health and substance use treatment services during COVID-19 pandemic; H.R.4564 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act; H.R.4585 Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act; H.R.4861/S.3006 Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act; H.R.5619/S.3198 Suicide Prevention Act; Make permanent telehealth flexibilities; Youth mental health policy issues; Mental Health Justice Act; S.1334/H.R.2519 - Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2020; S. 4338/H.R. 5469 Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act; H.R.8639 Mental Health Justice Act of 2020; H.R. 2482/ S. 2074 Mainstreaming Addiction Act; S. 3999 Mental Health Connectivity Act; H.R. 7293/ S.2492 STANDUP Act; H.R.1646/S.3244 Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act; Continue teleprescribing of controlled substances through the end of 2021; Support for administration of injectable Medication Assisted Therapy by psychiatric pharmacists.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 4996 - Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2020 - Kelly - extend Medicaid coverage post-partum H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program -Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency H.R. 6462 - Emergency Medicaid for Coronavirus Treatment Act - Gallego - Medicaid coverage H.R. 6511 - Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act - Pappas - COVID H.R. 6521 - To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking certain actions with respect to Medicaid supplemental payments reporting requirements, and for other purposes - Diaz Barragan - Medicaid, delays implementation of MFAR H.R. 6538 - Modernized Medicine Act - Kennedy - Medicaid, Telehealth H.R. 6539 - Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act - Lee - FMAP H.R. 6572 - To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of COVID-19. -Bilirakis - COVID H.R. 6583 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a risk corridor program for Medicare Advantage plans during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. - Houlahan - COVID H.R. 6616 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act -Cardenas - COVID H.R. 6640 - Medicare Advantage COVID Treatment Act - Mucarsel-Powell - COVID H.R. 6658 - Insular Area Medicaid Coronavirus Recovery Act - Sablan - FMAP H.R. 6727 - To hold Medicare beneficiaries harmless for specified COVID-19 treatment services furnished under part A or part B of the Medicare program - Schrier - COVID H.R. 6744 - Computer and Internet Equity Act - Davis - internet access for Lifeline program H.R. 6753 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Finkenauer - Medicare hospital payments H.R. 6792 - Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 - Smith - telehealth H.R. 6797 - CHIPPER Act - Wild - CHIP, COVID H.R. 6837 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 -Schneider - COVID H.R. 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act -Boyle - outpatient therapy services H.R. 7187 - HEALTH Act of 2020 -Thompson -Smith - telehealth H.R. 7292 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for forgiveness of certain accelerated and advance payments under parts A and B of the Medicare program. - Kaptur - advance payments H.R. 7338 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. - Cheney - Telehealth H.R. 7391 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain geographic and originating site restrictions on the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program - Sherrill- Telehealth H.R. 7606 - MFAR Transparency Act - Williams - report on impact of MFAR to Congress H.R. 7627 - MORE Savings Act - Dean - Medicare access to opioid treatment and MAT H.R. 7663 - Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 - Thompson - waive or modify application of Medicare requirements with respect to telehealth during PHE H.R. 7791 - Value in Health Care Act of 2020 - Welch - Medicare shared savings program and alternative payment arrangements H.R. 7877 - Lowering Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2020 - Katko - Medicare Part D costs H.R. 7892 - Medicaid Expansion During Crisis Act - Coleman - extend eligibility period for Medicaid enrollment application H.R. 8177 - Renal Anemia Innovation Support and Expansion Act - OHalleran - Medicare prescription drug coverage for chronic kidney disease H.R. 8218 - Rural Ambulance Reimbursement Fairness Act - Gianforte - Medicare payment for rural ambulance services H.R. 8254 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Blumenauer - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD H.R. 8427 - To provide for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program, and for other purposes - Luria - Lifeline program S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3013 - Encouraging Innovative Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act - Crapo - offer additional prescription drugs under Part D S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program S. 3615 - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 - Murkowski - rural community hospital demonstration program S. 3665 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Alexander - Medicare hospital payments S. 3750 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Shaheen - COVID S. 3881 - CHIPPER Act - Casey - CHIP, COVID S. 3998 - HEALTH Act of 2020 - Hyde-Smith - telehealth S. 3999 - Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act - King - Mental Health S. 4108 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal support to State Medicaid programs during economic downturns - Casey - FMAP S. 4151 - SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act - Hoeven - Medicare OPPS coverage S. 4230 - Telehealth Expansion Act of 2020 - Wyden - Telehealth mental health services in Medicare S. 4274 - Legalizing Drug Discounts for Seniors Act of 2020 - Paul - exclude discounts for covered part D drugs from the anti-kickback prohibition S. 4295 - Public Health Emergency Pass-Through Payment Fairness Act of 2020 - Paul - access to drugs and devices under Medicare S. 4358 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act - Bennet - Medicaid coverage for vaccines and treatment for COVID-19 for uninsured without cost-sharing S. 4375 - Telehealth Modernization Act - Alexander - make permanent Medicare telehealth flexibilities S. 4423 - COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 - Brown - Medicare hospice care S. 4448 - Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act - Warner - extend Medicaid drug rebate program to CHIP S. 4574 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Young - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD S. 4690 - A bill to increase vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and for other purposes - Hassan - Medicaid and maternal health S. 4705 - A bill to amend title XIX requiring coverage under Medicaid of vaccines for pregnant women - Cassidy - Medicaid coverage S. 4717 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment of certain Medicaid providers across State lines, and for other purposes - Grassley - Medicaid enrollment S. 4742 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to promote access to life-saving therapies for Medicaid enrollees by ensuring coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in connection with participation in qualifying clinical trials, and for other purposes - Burr - Medicaid coverage Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2022 Rate Notice; Executive Orders relating to international pricing, Part D rebates, insulin costs, and importation; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to proposed changes to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates (proposed rule); issues relating to COVID-19, including testing; issues related to audio-only telehealth; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; issues related to Medicaid presumptive eligibility and continuous eligibility; issues relating to Medicaid best price; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; implementation of sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; implications of the health insurer fee for MA and Part D plans; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's value-based insurance design (VBID) demonstration; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act S.3999 Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act H.R. 6644/S3741 Health Care at Home Act H.R. 5201 Telemental Health Expansion Act H.R. Protecting Access to Post Covid-19 Telehealth Act

Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Jodey Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program - Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Abby Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency H.R. 6462 - Emergency Medicaid for Coronavirus Treatment Act - Gallego - Medicaid coverage H.R. 6511 - Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act - Pappas - COVID H.R. 6521 - To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking certain actions with respect to Medicaid supplemental payments reporting requirements, and for other purposes - Diaz Barragan H.R. 6538 - Modernized Medicine Act - Kennedy - Medicaid, Telehealth H.R. 6539 - Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act - Lee - FMAP H.R. 6572 - To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of COVID-19. - Bilirakis - COVID H.R. 6583 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a risk corridor program for Medicare Advantage plans during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. - Houlahan - COVID H.R. 6616 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act - Cardenas - COVID H.R. 6640 - Medicare Advantage COVID Treatment Act - Mucarsel-Powell - COVID H.R. 6658 - Insular Area Medicaid Coronavirus Recovery Act - Sablan - FMAP H.R. 6727 - To hold Medicare beneficiaries harmless for specified COVID-19 treatment services furnished under part A or part B of the Medicare program - Schrier - COVID H.R. 6744 - Computer and Internet Equity Act - Davis - internet access for Lifeline program H.R. 6753 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Finkenauer - Medicare hospital payments H.R. 6792 - Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 - Smith - telehealth H.R. 6797 - CHIPPER Act - Wild - CHIP, COVID H.R. 6837 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Schneider - COVID H.R. 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act - Boyle - outpatient therapy services H.R. 7187 - HEALTH Act of 2020 -Thompson -Smith - telehealth H.R. 7297 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for forgiveness of certain accelerated and advance payments under parts A and B of the Medicare program. - Kaptur H.R. 7338 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. - Cheney - Telehealth H.R. 7391 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain geographic and originating site restrictions on the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program - Sherrill - Telehealth S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program S. 3615 - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 - Murkowski - rural community hospital demonstration program S. 3665 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Alexander - Medicare hospital payments S. 3750 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Shaheen - COVID S. 3881 - CHIPPER Act - Casey - CHIP, COVID S. 3998 - HEALTH Act of 2020 - Hyde-Smith - telehealth S. 3999 - Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act - King - Mental Health S. 4108 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal support to State Medicaid programs during economic downturns - Casey - FMAP Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2021 Rate Notice and Call Letter; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to proposed changes to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates (proposed rule); issues relating to COVID-19; issues related to audio-only telehealth; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; issues related to Medicaid presumptive eligibility and continuous eligibility; issues relating to Medicaid best price; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; implementation of sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; implications of the health insurer fee for MA and Part D plans; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's value-based insurance design (VBID) demonstration; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity Act H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act S.3999 Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act H.R. 6644/S3741 Health Care at Home Act H.R. 5201 Telelmental Health Expansion Act

Client expense: $320,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), Natl Security Agency (NSA), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

S.782/H.R. 11533 Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2019 Practice and Reimbursement issues related to clinical social workers, including 2021 reimbursement cuts Extension and expansion of telehealth flexibilities, including use of audio only technology and home health agency use of telehealth H.R.6654 - Emergency COVID Telehealth Response Act S.3999 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure access to mental health and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth under the Medicare program

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office