Proposed Rule Shifts Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Function to States

On June 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule revising the Medicaid managed care regulations. One of the key components of the proposed rule is the revision to the states’ responsibilities relating to the screening and enrollment of network providers of managed care organizations (MCOs), prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) and prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs).

Specifically, the proposed rule provides that the state must enroll all network providers of MCOs, PIHPs and PAHPS (collectively, managed care entities (MCEs)) that are not already enrolled with the state to provide services to Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries. The provisions would apply to all providers that order, refer or render health services in the context of Medicaid managed care to ensure these providers are appropriately screened and enrolled. As stated by CMS, the requirements contained in the proposed rule are to “ensure that there are no ‘safe havens’ for providers who, though unable to enroll in Medicaid FFS programs, shift participation from managed care plan to manage care plan to avoid detection.”

While the screening and enrollment of network providers is currently a role performed by the MCE, CMS believes transferring this function to the state will eliminate the need for each MCE to perform duplicative screening activities. However, the proposed rule would not prevent the MCEs from carrying out their own provider screening beyond those performed by the state. In addition, the proposed system would enable states to apply the risk classification protocols to all providers that furnish services to managed care or Medicaid FFS beneficiaries, in which screened providers would be categorized as “limited,” “moderate” or “high” risk, permitting site visits for moderate and high risk providers.

Even though the proposed rule would shift the screening and enrollment of network providers to the state, the rule would not require the network provider to also render services to Medicaid FFS beneficiaries. Finally, the proposed rule leaves unchanged the MCEs’ duty to not discriminate against those providers that serve high-risk populations or specialize in conditions that require costly treatment.

Wachler & Associates will continue to monitor CMS’ proposed rule and other developments in Medicaid managed care. If you or your health care entity have any questions regarding the Medicare, Medicaid, or managed care plan enrollment process, please contact an experienced healthcare attorney at 248-544-0888 or via email at wapc@wachler.com. Subscribe to our health law blog to stay updated on the latest CMS news.