May 14, 2021 | Issue 21-16 |
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Senate Confirms Andrea Palm as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services |
As the second-highest official in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Deputy Secretary Palm will aid Secretary Becerra in overseeing the entire HHS department, including the Indian Health Service.
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NIHB Submits Testimony to the Department of Health and Human Services |
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UPDATES FROM THE FEDERAL & STATE ADMINISTRATIONS |
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Proposed Rule from CMS on Medicare Payment Changes |
On May 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on changes to the Medicare program Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) for Acute Care Hospitals and Long-Term Care Hospitals for fiscal year 2022. Along with several Medicare payment changes; this rule proposes to revise the hospital market baskets for acute care hospitals and provide the market basket update that would apply to the rate-of-increase limits for certain hospitals currently excluded from the IPPS that are paid on a reasonable cost basis. This rule also updates the extension of the New COVID-19 Treatments Add-on Payment (NCTAP) for specific eligible products through the end of the fiscal year in which the PHE ends and will also discontinue the NCTAP for discharges after October 1, 2021. Every year CMS releases new guidance on these IPPS changes which impact Medicare payment for acute care hospital inpatient stays. Along with other changes, this proposed rule will affect the amount Tribal health care facilities are reimbursed for housing inpatients and CMS third party revenue. Last year in July of 2020, the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAG) to CMS commented on fiscal year 2021 IPPS proposed rule which can be found on NIHB’s website here: TTAG-IPPS-proposed-rule-comment.pdf (nihb.org) Comments on fiscal year 2022 proposed rule are due June 28, 2021.
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Notice of a Meeting of the HHS COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force |
On May 6, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a notice of a virtual meeting of their COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force was established on January 21, 2021, from an executive order by President Biden to “Ensure an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery.” The goal of this Task Force is to identify and eliminate health disparities that have been seen to result in higher rates of exposure, hospitalization, and sickness caused by COVID-19. This specific meeting will detail and discuss interim recommendations on discrimination and xenophobia. From this meeting recommendations on the elimination of xenophobia in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in America will be sent to the President of the United States. The meeting will be held on May 28, 2021, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm ET.
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Risk Adjustment Program Payment Parameters and Provisions from HHS |
On May 5, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule that identifies payment parameters and provisions related to the risk adjustment program and cost-sharing parameters. These changes are for those related to special enrollment periods, direct enrollment entities, and the administrative appeals process. This rule also changes the reporting of certain prescription drug information for qualified health plans or their pharmacy benefit managers. This rule will affect individuals working as a health insurance enrollment specialist at a Tribal health care facility, Tribal pharmacy benefit managers, and other Tribal health care insurance-related occupations. This rule is effective July 6, 2021.
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HRSA Seeking Nominations for a Tribal Advisory Council |
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations for their Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). These individuals are required to be Tribal officials who have the authority within their Tribe to act on behalf of their communities and who represent the collective views of the Tribes in the area from which they were nominated. These individuals when nominated will serve a length of two years before new nominations will take place. Currently, the areas open for nomination include the Albuquerque Area, California Area, Pheonix Area, and the Tucson Area. To see the work the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has done on Tribal Advisory Committees please click here. Eligibility criteria for those interested in applying can be found here.
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CMS Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Funding for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services |
On May 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance in a State Medicaid Director Letter on the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services. These funds are designed to help with critical services for older adults and individuals (adults and children) with disabilities. Specifically, this guidance aims to provide states and Medicaid beneficiaries with enhanced funding to increase access to home and community-based services. The ARP is designed to help CMS and states flexibility to enhance their specific needs and priorities in relation to the Home and Community Based Services workforce. In March of 2021, the Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Reform Policy Committee (MMPC) submitted a letter to the Indian Health Service on the funding distribution from the American Rescue Plan Act which can be found here.
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VA Seeking Nominations for a New Tribal Advisory Committee |
On May 5, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a notice on a solicitation for nominations to their Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian affairs. Individuals interested in applying should be able to identify specific issues for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations related to Native American Veterans and the Department. Individuals should also be able to propose solutions to issues raised regarding Tribal consultation reports and additionally provide clarification on such issues to the department. Nominations are due on June 1, 2021. The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has commented on the department's plan for a Tribal Advisory Committee in the past in a January 8, 2021 article by the United States Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs. This committee is the result of a tireless effort by NIHB in 2020 to codify this committee in law. Read more here.
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Administration for Children and Families Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Committee |
- Albuquerque Primary and Alternate
- Billings Alternate
- California Alternate
- Oklahoma Primary and Alternate
- Phoenix Primary and Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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GRANTS, RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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HRSA Telehealth Learning Series Webinar |
On Monday, May 17, 2021, from 12:30am-2:00pm ET, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will host a virtual Telehealth Learning Series. This webinar will focus on the sharing of best practices and resources related to HRSA programs to support licensure compacts and telehealth. Other topics will include demonstrations on expedited licensure processes, how licensure compacts have been effective in improving access to care and workforce shortages as well as, other information on important legislative and regulatory updates related to licensure compacts. To register for this webinar click here.
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Tribal Managed-Care Virtual Round Table |
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB), in coordination with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), will be hosting a Tribal Managed-Care Virtual Round Table on Wednesday, May 19 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm ET. This round table will feature best practices and strategies for implementing Medicaid managed care in Tribal communities. The event will be a moderated panel discussion and will feature speakers from Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, California, Oregon, and Washington. The speakers will be from states and Tribes and will share their perspectives on the implementation of Medicaid managed care.
Event Details:
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
12:30PM – 5:30 PM EDT
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NIHB Brain Health Learning Community Informational Webinar |
To create a learning community that works best for its participants, NIHB is hosting an informational webinar that will provide a brief overview of the Brain Health Learning Community meetings and provide time for discussion and recommendations from participants. The informational webinar will be:
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
For more information about NIHB's Brain Health Learning Community, contact Sara Zdunek at szdunek@nihb.org or 202-507-4077.
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IHS Virtual Tribal Consultation on IHS Tribal Consultation Policy and Process |
On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Indian Health Service is hosting a virtual Tribal Consultation session to seek Tribal input on how to improve the Tribal Consultation Policy and process.
Written comments and recommendations on the IHS consultation policy are due by Tuesday, June 15, 2021 and can be submitted to consultation@ihs.gov with the subject line “IHS Tribal Consultation Policy and Process.”
Time 1:00pm – 2:30 pm EDT
Phone: (833) 568-8864, Meeting ID: 161 5609 4640, Passcode: 571603
Zoom information can be found on the event page here.
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National Council of Urban Indian Health Annual Conference |
If you would like to register for the conference, click here.
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NCAI Mid-Year Conference Registration Open |
Registration for the National Congress for American Indians Mid-Year Conference is now open. The conference will occur virtually this year and provide tribal leaders and partners an opportunity to discuss work on issues facing Tribal Nations. The virtual conference will be held:
June 20-24, 2021
Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 30, 2021
The conference agenda can be found on NCAI’s website here.
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CMS Extends Healthcare.gov Marketplace Special Enrollment Period |
For more information on the special enrollment period, visit the CMS website here.
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Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at:
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