Essential Health Benefits
FEATURED ARTICLE
Reflections on Repeal and Replace
/in Policy Blogs Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Lesa RairAmidst discussion of repealing, delaying, and replacing the ACA, what’s ahead for health reform is uncertain, but may be informed by reflection on what’s gone before. In January 2000, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) convened a bipartisan group of state health policy leaders to discuss lessons learned from 25 years of state […]
Access for the Uninsured: Lessons from 25 Years of State Initiatives (The Flood Tide Forum, Rereleased from January 2000)
/in Policy Reports Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Medicaid Expansion, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Lesa RairIn light of the current and anticipated debates surrounding health policy and access NASHP is rereleasing this report originally published in January 2000. See Trish Riley’s Latest Blog Read the Full Publication.
Incentivizing Healthy Behaviors and Personal Responsibility
/in Policy Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana Annual Conference, Blogs Accountable Health, Behavioral/Mental Health and SUD, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Community Health Workers, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Medicaid Expansion, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by Lesa RairTo help better prevent and control costly conditions such as chronic diseases, and to break the cycle of poor health, states are experimenting with mechanisms to incentivize healthy behaviors and personal responsibility for wellness. This past October, as part of the 29th Annual State Health Policy Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, leaders from Connecticut, Idaho, and […]
As Federal Leaders Debate, Open Enrollment is in Full Swing
/in Policy California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont Blogs Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP WritersPost-election, federal leaders are debating changes to the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and whether it will continue in light of the goals put forth by the incoming Administration. Meanwhile, open enrollment for the health insurance marketplaces is in full swing, with some states reporting increased or record enrollment figures during these first weeks of enrollment […]
CHIP Coverage is Important for Pregnant Women Too
/in Policy Blogs CHIP, CHIP, Eligibility and Enrollment, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Healthy Child Development, Infant Mortality, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care /by NASHP WritersWhile the importance of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for children has been widely documented, it is also important to remember that states can and many do use CHIP to provide coverage to low-and moderate-income pregnant women. With federal-funding for CHIP due to run out by the end of this federal fiscal year (September […]
Challenges and Opportunities for Pediatric Medical Home Implementation and CYSHCN
/in Policy Care Coordination, Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs, CHIP, CHIP, Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Eligibility and Enrollment, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Healthy Child Development, Infant Mortality, Integrated Care for Children, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home, Social Determinants of Health /by Felicia Heider and Barbara WirthNASHP in collaboration with the National Center for Medical Home Implementation developed a new fact sheet addressing challenges and opportunities to provision of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) enrolled in Medicaid managed care. The fact sheet identifies states that leverage Medicaid managed care to advance the pediatric medical home […]
What a Difference a Day Makes…
/in Policy Blogs CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health Equity, Health System Costs, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP WritersTomorrow it will all be over, this long, costly, bitter, and divisive election will be behind us and we will know who America has chosen as our President, who has been elected to Congress, and a host of other important electoral outcomes. While this election has too often highlighted the differences within our country, a […]
States with Medicaid Incentives for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases Model
/in Policy Maps Chronic and Complex Populations, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Physical and Behavioral Health Integration, Population Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP StaffSection 4108 of the ACA mandated the creation of the Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases (MIPCD) program for states to develop evidence-based prevention programs that provide incentives to Medicaid beneficiaries to participate in and complete. In 2011, 10 states were awarded grants to implement chronic disease prevention approaches for their Medicaid enrollees to […]
Medicaid Incentives for Effective Contraceptive Use and Postpartum Care
/in Policy Colorado, Oregon Blogs, Reports Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Infant Mortality, Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women, Maternal Health and Mortality, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Population Health /by NASHP StaffUnplanned and complex births carry potentially avoidable health complications and costs to families and states. Broad healthcare payment and delivery reform is underway across the country to improve outcomes, enhance patient experience and reduce costs. Some states are capitalizing on these reforms to promote planned and healthy births by driving improvement in effective contraceptive use […]
Proposed HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2018
/in Policy Reports Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP WritersEarlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its latest omnibus rule proposing a series of changes impacting insurance markets and the health insurance marketplaces. Our latest blog and accompanying memo break down a few key concerns for states as they finalize their comments due on October 6, 2016. Memo: Proposed […]

For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
























































































































































How States Address Social Determinants of Oral Health in Managed Care Contracts
/in Medicaid Managed Care Maps Child Oral Health, Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs, CHIP, CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Oral Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, Special Populations and Services /by NASHP Staff