The American Medical Association (AMA) has praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for introducing new rules aimed at enhancing access to care for Medicaid patients. The AMA expressed gratitude for the Administration's dedication to addressing longstanding barriers to care.
One of the newly implemented rules, referred to as the 'Managed Care Rule,' focuses on ensuring timely access to care for Medicaid patients. This rule establishes maximum appointment wait-time standards, mandates annual payment analyses, enforces quality reporting for essential services, and enhances monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for managed care plans.
The second rule, known as the 'Access Rule,' emphasizes transparency and accountability in Medicaid programs. It requires states to disclose fee-for-service payment rates, mandates states seeking significant plan restructuring or rate reductions to prove that access will not be compromised, and strengthens avenues for Medicaid patients to contribute feedback to the program.
While advocating for the effective implementation of these protective measures without burdening safety net practices, the AMA highlighted its collaboration with CMS to advance patient access and care quality. By granting Medicaid patients, healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocates access to previously unavailable information, these reforms aim to empower individuals within the healthcare system and foster transparency for improved healthcare outcomes.
