September 03, 2016
The Commonwealth at both the Executive and the Legislative branch level is active in it’s support of expanded opportunities and funding for treatment for substance use disorders addictions and recovery; coincidentally CMS has offered new service and funding opportunities in the Medicaid system which aligned with the concerns of the Governor’s Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse. The 2016 Appropriations Act authorized DMAS to develop an enhanced and comprehensive benefit package under the authority of an 1115 Demonstration Waiver.
VNPP, as a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group, will both disseminate information and encourage attendance at the various workshops and training opportunities being offered for providers. It is clear from the information shared at this week’s meeting that DMAS is doing everything possible to make this as provider friendly as possible and to ensure that the reimbursement is attractive enough to make these services a viable business opportunity. We have added a session at the VNPP Conference on this specific topic which will give providers ample time to ask questions about the requirements and the opportunities!