A Closer Look at the CMS Roundup: Health Equity Conference, Blogs, and Future Initiatives

In a policy roundup on March 22, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided updates on its 2024 Health Equity conference, a blog dedicated to value-based care strategy, and an amendment for hospital patients to have coverage for personal care services.

Registration is now open for the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference on May 29-30, 2024. The free conference will be a hybrid event at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Bethesda, Maryland, offering in-person and virtual participation. Organized by the CMS Office of Minority Health, the conference endeavors to bring health equity leaders together to discuss and sustain health equity through action. Attendees will hear from CMS leadership, explore the latest research, discuss promising practices, and collaborate on community engagement strategies.

Also, a new CMS blog provides an update on the Medicare Value-Based Care Strategy, highlighting achievements and future plans. It discusses moving towards value-based payment, alignment across payers, growth in accountable care, and promoting equity. CMS aims to scale model learnings, support primary care providers in value-based care, improve quality measurement, and enhance flexibility for practitioners to work with community-based organizations. Additionally, the importance of value-based data transparency and promoting competition within Medicare Advantage are emphasized.

Finally, CMS has approved the new “Rhode Island Comprehensive Demonstration” Medicaid section 1115 demonstration. The approval will allow the state to cover certain personal care services in acute care hospital settings as part of the existing home- and community-based services. These services help eligible individuals stay in their homes and communities instead of living in institutional settings. Rhode Island will also expand eligibility for certain HCBS for adults with disabilities at risk for long-term care and offer a remote monitoring option for eligible individuals interested in HCBS support.

Reference
CMS Roundup. News release. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Published March 22, 2024. Accessed March 27, 2024. www.cms.gov/newsroom/cms-round-up/cms-roundup-mar-22-2024