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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are used to provide additional information and/or statutory guidance not found in State Medicaid Director Letters, State Health Official Letters, or CMCS Informational Bulletins. The different sets of FAQs as originally released can be accessed below.

Showing 11 to 20 of 54 results

What is the difference between the SPA ID and Package ID?

The package ID is an auto-generated ID consists of the two letter state abbreviation, the year, the authority in this case MH for Medicaid Health Homes, an automatic number assignment, and the letter O for official or D for draft. The package ID is used to track this submission package. The SPA ID (SS-YY-NNNN-xxxx) is assigned by the State in Official Submission Packages and consists of the State abbreviation (SS), they year (YY), a four-character sequence number (NNNN), and four-character optional alpha and numeric (xxxx).

FAQ ID:92921

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How do I delete a submission package?

Log in as State Point of Contact. Go to the Actions tab, then select "Delete Submission Package". Enter in the package ID and the SPA ID, then search for the package you wish to delete. Only the State Point of Contact can perform this function. This function is only available before a package is submitted to CMS for the first time. After that, the only option for the SPOC would be to withdraw the package.

FAQ ID:92926

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Is there a way to attach additional information or appendices to a submission package?

Yes, there are various places throughout a package to attach additional information. In many reviewable units, depending on the selections made, an opportunity to upload documents is available. Uploading a document to the Health Homes Services Reviewable Unit is required.

FAQ ID:92931

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What is a validation error within a submission package?

A validation error occurs when additional information is required for certain fields on a page. This error will be indicated by red script on the page under the section that was required. In order to avoid a validation error, enter in all required information before attempting to validate data. For many screens this will occur upon selecting a button located towards the bottom of the page to validate your entries.

FAQ ID:92936

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What reports are available to State Users?

This table indicates what reports are available to State Users. These can be found under the "Reports" tab.

Report Name Description Available For
State Agency Profile Report Overview of a State's Medicaid Plan including the prior 12 months' submission package history State Point of Contact; State Director
Submission Detail Report View details on packages by date State Editor, State Point of Contact, State Director
Submission Statistics Detail Report View all Submission Packages currently in review State Editor, State Point of Contact, State Director
Submission Summary Report Overview of submitted packages by date State Editor, State Point of Contact, State Director

FAQ ID:92941

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Once a state submits a submission package to CMS, is the content locked?

Once a state submits a submission package to CMS, they may not edit it while it is in review. The state may withdraw the submission package, but once withdrawn, the package cannot be edited or resubmitted.

CMS may open the package for revisions informally via a clarification request. Clarification questions are entered into the Correspondence Log. The CPOC can compile questions from the Submission Review Team members by accessing the Analyst Notes. Please note, that the reviews of every RU does not have to be completed in order to send a request for Clarification to the State. During a Clarification, the State will have the opportunity to edit content. After the state has responded to Clarification, the CMS Point of Contact must assign Submission Review Team members to Reviewable Units again and review the submission package again.

After requesting Clarification, CMS (specifically the CPOC) has the option to prevent package submission. This is a way for CMS to pull the package back from the Clarification request. This may be necessary as the clock continues during the Clarification period. The CMS review team may not continue their review while the package is back with the State for Clarification, therefore the CPOC should exercise caution when to sending a Clarification, knowing that review will be temporarily suspended.

Another option is after CMS Point of Contact has reviewed the submission package, he/she has the option to Request Additional Information regarding the submission package. All Reviewable Units must appear in the complete status (represented by a checkmark) by having at least one Review Team member complete the review in order to initiate RAI. RAI stops the 90 Day Clock. In this option, the State will have the opportunity to edit content.

FAQ ID:92991

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How do I access previous reports for my state?

Select the "Records" tab in the upper tool bar. Click on the Quality Measure you are working with and then search for the report you would like to view by entering the report package ID.

FAQ ID:92996

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Is there a way to attach additional information or appendices to a report?

Yes, at the end of each report there is an "Upload Documents" section that allows you to upload any relevant documents.

FAQ ID:93011

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What do states need to do to assure availability of federal funding for the new adult group in 2014?

We are working with states to help them complete all of the steps needed to implement the new adult group on January 1, 2014. States need to make changes and updates to their Medicaid state plan (and sometimes waiver programs) as expeditiously as possible, so they can accurately determine who is eligible, assist individuals with enrollment, contract with health care plans, provide access to quality care health care for their beneficiaries, and receive federal financial assistance for these costs. They will also need to submit state plan amendments (SPAs) describing how they will claim the appropriate federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for expenditures for the new adult group. In addition, states will need to submit their budget estimates related to the new adult group, so CMS can provide funding at the appropriate levels.

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FAQ ID:91736

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Can you describe the process for providing funding for the new adult group?

As states compile their budget estimates for the first calendar quarter of 2014, or for future quarters, states that will adopt the new adult group should include in those estimates the impact of the increased newly eligible FMAP rates available for the new adult group. CMS typically issues quarterly grant awards prior to the beginning of the quarter, so that states can make payments to Medicaid providers during the quarter. We will issue grant awards associated with expenditures related to the new adult group once eligibility SPAs reflecting the new adult group have been approved and the associated FMAP SPAs have been submitted.

For states that have not yet reached these milestones, CMS can quickly issue supplemental grant awards once the new adult group SPA is approved and the FMAP SPA is submitted. States expanding coverage are likely to achieve these milestones early in the quarter but, as always, SPAs do not need to be submitted until the end of the quarter to be made effective retroactively to the beginning of the quarter. CMS is working with states to secure approval of new adult group eligibility SPAs on an expedited basis, and will provide technical assistance as needed so that states can submit their FMAP SPAs in a timely manner.

After the grant award reflecting estimated new adult expenditures is issued, states will be able to draw down federal funds during the quarter, in advance of submitting claims for such expenditures. Finally, as is our regular process, states can begin claiming for expenditures made during the quarter following the close of the quarter, subject to approval of all required eligibility, benefit, and FMAP SPAs. States that do not have approved SPAs can claim retroactively after approval is granted, as long as timely filing requirements are met.

States with waivers should note that, as always, waivers are prospective only - so any waiver changes need to be submitted and approved by January 1, 2014 if a state if trying to make coverage effective on that date.

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FAQ ID:91741

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