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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a state report Upper Payment Limit (UPL) data for out of state providers?
The UPL data for out of state providers does not need to be included in the UPL demonstration. If the state has provider level data then it may include it in the demonstration within the private ownership category of providers.
FAQ ID:92426
SHARE URLDoes CMS participate in the state's life cycle gate reviews?
No. CMS does not participate the state's in E&E or in MMIS system development life cycle (SDLC) level reviews.
FAQ ID:95056
SHARE URLDoes the IV&V 18-month compliance period apply to E&E systems?
Yes. The rules pertaining to procuring IV&V contracts (State Medicaid Director Letter 16-010) apply to both E&E and MMIS.
FAQ ID:95061
SHARE URLDo the documents in the artifacts table need to be created for every module?
In most cases once they are created, the documents will simply be updated to account for the additional modules being planned or developed. A new document is not necessarily created for each module. If a state calls a document by a different name, the state should inform CMS of the name difference.
FAQ ID:95076
SHARE URLCALT is no longer available. Where should state artifacts and evidence be posted?
Granting CMS direct access to the state's evidence repository is the preferred method for making evidence available to CMS. If that is not possible, the state may make other secure arrangements with CMS, such as using encrypted File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It is critical to follow all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations when submitting evidence that contains personal health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII).
FAQ ID:95081
SHARE URLShould IV&V progress reports include all the checklist sets every time they submit a progress report?
No. Only the checklists pertaining to the modules undergoing review need to be included, and that only for the report created in preparation for a milestone review. However, the IV&V progress report should include risks and recommendations for the entire project--not just those about to undergo a milestone review.
FAQ ID:95086
SHARE URLWhy are there Standards and Conditions (S&C) and Access and Delivery (A&D) criteria in the Information Architecture checklist?
When streamlining the core checklists (IA, TA and S&C checklists), we found that some criteria fit better in other checklists, so they were moved. To keep traceability simple for the states, we chose to keep the original identifiers for any criteria that were moved. The same holds true for criteria moved to the programmatic tab of the IV&V progress report template.
FAQ ID:95091
SHARE URLAre Eligibility and Enrollment (E&E) systems now going to be certified the way MMIS systems are certified?
No, E&E systems are not subject to certification. Though the Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Toolkit (MEET) was based on the MMIS toolkit, the MEET was created as a way to align how CMS reviews Medicaid enterprise systems and is a means for CMS to provide technical assistance to the states.
FAQ ID:95096
SHARE URLThe Final Rule at section 438.2 defines a rating period as the 12 month period for which actuarially sound capitation rates are set, but there may be legitimate reasons why a state may want to set capitation rates for a time period that is less than or greater than 12 months. Will states have any flexibility in this area?
Yes. CMS acknowledges that states may have legitimate reasons to set capitation rates for a time period that differs from 12 months and will take unusual circumstances into account when reviewing compliance with the rating period duration requirements. CMS will approve a rating period other than of 12 months when a state transitions the contract term and rating period from a calendar year to a state fiscal year basis and setting capitation rates for a 6 month or 18 month period would facilitate that transition. There may be other reasonable justifications for such variations in the rating period that CMS would be open to considering. The rationale for a rating period that differs from 12 months as defined in the regulation in section 438.2 should be specified in the rate certification required in section 438.7 for such consideration.
Supplemental Links:
- This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 185.26 KB)
FAQ ID:93456
SHARE URLA rating period is defined in section 438.2 as the 12 month period for which actuarially sound capitation rates are set. The Final Rule ties implementation and compliance deadlines for some provisions to the rating period for contracts starting on or after a specific date. Non-risk prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) and non-risk prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs), PCCMs, and PCCM entities do not have a rating period as defined in section 438.2 because such arrangements are not subject to actuarial
The implementation date for non-risk PIHPs and PAHPs, PCCMs, and PCCM entities for provisions tied to a rating period is the earliest date that a risk-based MCO, PIHP, or PAHP would need to comply. For example, the provisions in subpart F relating to appeals and grievances have an implementation date for risk-based contracts of the rating period for contracts starting on or after July 1, 2017. Non-risk PIHPs and PAHPs would need to implement those provisions by July 1, 2017.
Supplemental Links:
- This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 185.26 KB)
FAQ ID:93461
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