RHP9 Updates

• In response to COVID-19 impacts, the DSRIP team is requesting flexibilities for CY 2020 measurements. We will keep you informed as we get approvals. Please continue to share any new challenges you may be facing with measurement and performance. HHSC is particularly interested in understanding concerns with longer term impacts to the delivery system and its impact on performance for specific measures. 
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new program to allow providers to get reimbursed for COVID-19 testing and treatment of the uninsured. See the announcement: https://www.hrsa.gov/coviduninsuredclaim 
• Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar renewed the public health emergency (PHE) on April 21, 2020, effective April 26, 2020, see renewal here: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/covid19-21apr2020.aspx. This extends the PHE for 90 days into July. Unless Secretary Azar terminates the declaration before July 1, 2020, the enhanced FMAP of 67.09%/State Share of 32.91%, as allowed under the Families First Coronavirus Act, will be applied to July DSRIP payments.  

• As mentioned in the announcement from HHSC’s Rate Analysis Department (https://rad.hhs.texas.gov/hospitals-clinic-services), HHSC will apply any IGT that was collected in excess for the January payment towards the IGT call that will occur for July payments. See attachment for the excess IGT from January by RHP and IGT Entity. 

• Due to technical difficulties with the DSRIP online reporting system last week, HHSC has extended the reporting period through Sunday, May 3, 2020. Providers will have until 11:59 pm on May 3rd to submit or upload reporting files as appropriate. This extension will not affect any other dates associated with reporting, reviews or payments. 
• The April DY9 Reporting Webinar was held on 4/6/20. The Webinar slides are available on the bulletin board and a recording of the webinar can be found here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/7081086186385038082.  

• The following DY9R1 resources are currently posted on the bulletin board: 

o    Reporting Companion document 

o    System User Guide 

o    Provisional Approval Template 

o    Category C Reporting Template 

o    Category C E2-A01 DY8 Carryforward Template 

o    Category D Reporting Template 

o    Data that providers use for the reporting under Category D: regional summaries for LHDs, quality measures for CMHCs, and data for Physician Practices.  

o    EQRO Reports Summaries 

o    PPE Report Summary 

o    IGT Entity Change Form 

• Reporting Timeline 

o    May 3, 2020, 11:59 pm – Due date for providers to submit April DY9 DSRIP reporting using the DSRIP Online Reporting System. 

o    June 1, 2020, 5:00 pm – Due date for submitting any IGT changes in entities or proportion of IGT among entities to HHSC 

o    June 13, 2020 – HHSC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will complete their review and approval of April DY9 reporting or request additional information 

• MSLC is reviewing the data that providers submitted in March and may have follow up questions. Providers may start hearing from MSLC starting next week. 
• Just a reminder that providers who needed an extension for submitting requested review data need to submit it to MSLC by May 8^th. 

• The updated transition plan that was submitted to CMS in February has been posted to the HHSC website. Please note, this plan has not received final approval as CMS and HHSC are focused on COVID-19 response.   

• We are assessing whether changes are needed to any CMS deliverable due dates because of delays in milestone work. At this time, we do not expect implementation timelines for new proposals to change. However, the situation continues to evolve and HHSC will adjust our response as necessary.  

• Best Practices Workgroup:  Scheduled Survey 2.1 Subgroup Calls have been completed with Best Practices Workgroup members, and HHSC will share a summary of the calls as well as distribute the second round of Survey 2 with Workgroup members tentatively by May 4^th.   

• DSRIP Providers will receive two surveys next week that will provide input on Transition Plan milestone work. The first will ask about  service that have been provided through DSRIP that could be considered for addition  to the Texas Medicaid Program benefit package. The second will ask about billing practices and potential policy changes that could expand the availability of current services. DSRIP providers will have at least two weeks to complete the surveys. We appreciate your participation and feedback. 

• Reminder of the flexibility of using the Provisional Approval Template if you need it. Information can be found in the April DY9 Reporting Companion.
• No update on any modifications for CY2020 measure at this time.  HHSC has a call scheduled with CMS next week to discuss.  If you have a question about a specific measure, please forward to me and I will send to the box for their consideration.
• No update on the application of the increased FMAP at this time.