OPEN MINDS Answers Critical Questions In New Series Of Market Intelligence Reports – Medicare Doughnut Hole Rules, Medicaid Waivers, Permanent Supportive Housing Funding, & FQHC Models

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (May 31, 2015) — During the month of May, the OPEN MINDS team released five new Market Intelligence Reports that cover complex topics that are critical for executives in the health and human services field. The Market Intelligence Reports are a highly sought after resource published weekly by the team of experts at OPEN MINDS.

The new reports provide in-depth coverage on the topics of Medicaid Waivers, the Medicare Doughnut Hole, Permanent Supportive Housing Initiatives (a two-part series), and Federally Qualified Health Centers. A short summary of each report follows.

What Are Medicaid Waivers & Why Do They Matter?

In this report, the OPEN MINDS team discusses the role of waivers in the Medicaid system. Waivers give states the flexibility to make changes in how they operate their Medicaid programs by “waiving” certain federal requirements. The report details the different types of CMS waivers, the difference between state Medicaid waivers and State Plan Amendments (SPAs), and the waivers currently active in each state, including the populations they serve.

What Are The Rules Of The Medicare Doughnut Hole?

This report discusses Medicare Part D, the federal program that subsidizes the cost of prescription drugs and premiums for prescription drug plans for Medicare beneficiaries, and how the “doughnut hole” was unintentionally created. Specifically, the report provides an explanation of the doughnut hole, individuals that may or may not be exempt from the doughnut hole, and how health care reform is addressing the issue.

How Are Permanent Supportive Housing Initiatives Funded?

This first report in a two-part series on Permanent Supporting Housing (PSH) discusses the funding of the housing portion of permanent supportive housing programs. The report provides information regarding the difference between federal HUD-supported PSH programs, and explains Section 811 Housing, Section 202, and the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, including information about how each program is funded.

What Are The Types Of Federally Qualified Health Centers?

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based organizations that receive grant funding under the Health Center Consolidation Act (Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act). In this Market Intelligence Report, the OPEN MINDS team examines the details of FQHCs, including the types of FQHCs in operation and how they are funded.

How Are States Using Medicaid To Fund Permanent Supportive Housing Services?

The second part in the series on Permanent Supportive Housing, this report discusses how states are using Medicaid to fund non-traditional services related to housing. The report details which states have had supportive housing requests denied by CMS, the states that have pending requests for supportive housing services, and states that cover housing services under Medicaid.

“The OPEN MINDS Market Intelligence Reports are great resources for our readers,” explains Monica E. Oss, OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer. “Each report analyzes aspects of the legislation that is affecting executive decision-making. The goal of each report is to make complex areas of the health care policy simple by breaking it down into its main components, such as impact, cost, and trends. Our team is able to reconstruct the information so that is easier to understand and apply.”

The Market Intelligence Reports are provided as a free resource to Premium members of the OPEN MINDS Circle. Click here for details on how to become a premium member. The reports are also available for purchase in the OPEN MINDS store by clicking here.

OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence firm specializing in the sectors of the health and human service industry serving individuals with complex support needs: mental health; addiction treatment; children & family services; intellectual & developmental disabilities; chronic disease management; long term care; social services; correctional health care, reentry & diversion; and juvenile justice.

Founded in 1987 and based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the 75+ associates believe by providing the latest market intelligence and management best practices to organizations serving the health and social support needs of the most vulnerable consumers, those organizations will be better able to provide efficient and effective services. Learn more at www.openminds.com.

For additional questions and inquiries, please contact Tim Snyder, Vice President, Marketing, OPEN MINDS at 717-334-1329 or openminds@openminds.com.