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Daily coverage of the developments shaping health and human services. From policy shifts to program innovations, reports on trends-shaping mental health, addiction treatment, child and family services, autism and I/DD, disability support and long-term care, social services, corrections, juvenile justice, chronic disease management, health care systems, and more-helping leaders make timely, informed decisions.
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Wisconsin Medicaid Awards Four Entities Long-Term Care Contracts For Geographic Service Regions 2 & 7
October 29, 2025The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) awarded contracts to four organizations for two Medicaid managed long-term care (LTC) programs—Family Care and Family Care Partnership. The contracts go live on January 1, 2026. They run for an initial two-year term… -
CMS Clarifies In-Person Requirement For Medicare Mental Health Telehealth Services
October 28, 2025The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policies for most Medicare telehealth services, except behavioral health, changed on October 1, 2025. After this date, telehealth behavioral health services received in home settings will continue to be covered for beneficiaries… -
Since 2022, The Average Wait Time For Physician Appointments In Five Specialties Increased By 19%, To 31 Days
October 28, 2025The average consumer wait time to schedule a new physician appointment in five specialties increased by 19% between 2022 and early 2025, from 26 days to 31 days, according to a secret shopper survey that spanned 15 major metropolitan areas.… -
Many Medicare Advantage & Medicaid Managed Care Plans Have Limited Behavioral Health Provider Organization Networks, Inactive Providers
October 28, 2025Many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans in 2023 had limited behavioral health provider organization networks, a high percentage of inactive providers, and inaccurate contact information, according to a recent analysis by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)… -
California Community Reentry Program For Parolees Has Lower Recidivism Rates For Men & For Women
October 28, 2025Participants in California’s community reentry programs—also known as Enhanced Alternative Custody Programs (EACP)—have lower recidivism rates compared to those not participating in the programs, according to a new report from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). ECAP encompasses… -
Under New Definition Of Obesity, 60% More People Are Affected
October 28, 2025Under a new definition of obesity that goes beyond the body-mass index (BMI) criteria, 60% more adults are obese. The new definition allows for obesity to be characterized as preclinical or clinical, based on organ dysfunction and/or physical limitation. Based… -
37% Of All Medicaid Managed Care Plans Cover All FDA-Approved Medications For Opioid Use Disorder
October 24, 2025About 37% of all Medicaid managed care plans cover all three medications for treating opioid use disorder (MOUD) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—buprenorphine, extended-release naltrexone, and methadone—according to a recent study. The percentage is much lower… -
California DHCS Rescinds $50 Million Grant To Palomar Health Behavioral Health Institute
October 23, 2025The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rescinded its conditional grant of $50 million in Proposition 1 bond funds for the Palomar Health Behavioral Health Institute project to build a new psychiatric hospital. Palomar Health had applied for funding… -
National Health Care Fraud Arrests Result In Charges Against 324 Individuals For $14.6 Billion In Alleged Fraud
October 23, 2025The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the results of its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, charging 324 defendants that include 96 physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys… -
41% Of Medicaid Expansion Beneficiaries At Risk Of Disenrollment Due To Upcoming Work Requirements Have Three Or More Chronic Health Conditions
October 23, 2025About 41% of the approximately 5 million Medicaid expansion beneficiaries at risk of disenrollment due to upcoming federal work requirements have three or more chronic health conditions, according to a recent study. The work requirements included in the 2025 Federal…
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