CMS approval of the waiver amendment is needed to implement the new activities of daily living eligibility requirements imposed under the 2020-21 State Budget and to allow new dually eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to remain enrolled in their mainstream Medicaid managed care plan.

At the second meeting of the MRT 2, members discussed the proposals submitted by stakeholders to fill the $2.5 billion budget gap, focusing on strategies to curb MLTC enrollment and utilization of personal care and CDPAS.

The MRT 2 is moving forward with identifying sources of savings to close a Medicaid budget gap of $2.5 billion by April 1^st.

CMS rejected the State's application seeking $8 billion over a four-year period, including unspent funds from the existing waiver and an additional $7.3 billion reinvestment of savings generated under the waiver.

DOH has convened the first meeting of the LTC Advisory Group, received stakeholder input at three public hearings around the state, and accepted written proposals for Medicaid savings and reform.

The first meeting of the MRT 2 highlighted growth in LTC spending, and an LTC Advisory Group was named. Public hearings began with meetings in New York City last week and Rochester this week.

DOH hosted a webinar on Dec. 11^th to share details with stakeholders on the recently submitted application to extend and renew the State's DSRIP Program waiver. The webinar highlighted the successes of the first phase of DSRIP and described how the second phase would expand and strengthen the VBP arrangements initiated in the first phase.

Webinar to be held tomorrow, Wed., Dec. 11^th, at 9 a.m.