Frequently Asked Questions

States are no longer allowed to cover parents in CHIP after Sept. 30, 2013 and therefore, are no longer eligible to receive the enhanced CHIP FMAP for expenditures for parents.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

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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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

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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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

Typically, grant awards exclude any amounts associated with unapproved SPAs. If the eligibility SPA for a state is approved after the initial grant award to the state was issued (and which, therefore, would not have included amounts for the new adult group), the state could subsequently submit a request for additional funds at any time during the quarter once the eligibility SPA was approved. We consider the approval of the eligibility SPA for the new adult group to provide the necessary basis and authority for this grant action. However, to ensure that states demonstrate they will be able to claim federal funds properly, grant awards will also be contingent upon the submission (but not approval) of an FMAP claiming SPA. These steps will enable states to draw down federal funds during the quarter. However, states must still have all applicable SPAs (eligibility, benefits, and FMAP) approved before they claim expenditures on the CMS-64 after the quarter has closed. If they don't, they can claim retrospectively once approval is granted, as long as timely filing requirements are met. It is important to note that retroactive claiming is not possible when eligibility is triggered by a section 1115 waiver.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

We noted in a previous FAQ released on May 22, 2012 (available at: http://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/state-resource-center/FAQ-medicaid-and-chip-affordable-care-act-implementation/downloads/Eligibility-Policy-FAQs.pdf), states are not required to track the pregnancy status of women enrolled in the adult group, and are not required to move them to the eligibility group for pregnant women if the state becomes aware of their pregnancy outside of the regular redetermination process. Women who become pregnant must be given the option of moving to the pregnancy-related coverage category, and states must inform women of the differences in coverage between the adult group and pregnancy-related coverage (including any differences in benefits, premiums and cost sharing) so that pregnant women can make an informed choice about reporting the pregnancy and changing their eligibility status between regular renewals. We clarify that, at a regularly scheduled renewal, states must determine whether a current beneficiary enrolled in the adult group meets all eligibility criteria to remain eligible in the adult group. If at that time the state is aware that a woman is pregnant (either because of ex parte information confirmed during the renewal process by the state or through the return of a pre-populated renewal form from the woman), she no longer would meet the requirements for eligibility under the new adult group and, if otherwise eligible for coverage based on pregnancy, must instead be enrolled in the pregnant women's group. The state may give a pregnant woman the option to remain enrolled in the same alternate benefit package she is enrolled in through the new adult group, to minimize any disruption to her coverage or access to providers. Note that if the state covers any additional benefits for pregnant women under 42 CFR 440.250(p) not provided to other individuals eligible under the state plan, such benefits also must be provided to pregnant women enrolled in such alternative benefit package. Between regular renewals, if a woman enrolled in the adult group who becomes pregnant does not elect to switch groups and remains in the adult group, her status for FMAP purposes (as newly eligible or not) is unchanged until her next regularly scheduled redetermination. If, consistent with the policy described above, her enrollment is transferred to the pregnant women's group either prior to or at the point of her regular renewal, regular FMAP would apply because she would no longer be in the adult group.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

We believe these files have information that states can rely on. As with any transmission of data or logic process, discrepancies may arise. However, we have done quality reviews and continue to act on reports of issues as quickly as possible by investigating them and introducing systems fixes as needed. We are continuing our testing and quality assurance efforts as well. We expect that states will be doing the same on accounts transferred from states to the FFM. We will continue to rely on our daily desk officer calls and our SOTA process to follow up with states on any questions that may arise.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

As applicant information is entered into state systems, there will be some applicants that will be known to the system, such as people who previously applied to or enrolled in Medicaid, family members of current beneficiaries, and possibly beneficiaries of other human services programs. If, based on this information known to the system, the state finds information that indicates the individual is unlikely to be eligible for Medicaid under MAGI rules, then the state may treat such information as an inconsistency. Just as states are not enrolling applicants on the flat file who have an inconsistency in their income or residency information based on FFM verification without further evaluation, states may also not enroll applicants based on the flat-file data for whom there are discrepancies based on state system information. We will work with states that would like to pursue other options for dealing with information found in state systems when entering individuals from the flat file.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

If the state would like to exclude individuals from enrollment based on the flat file, please reach out to CMCS to discuss the state's options. Our goal in offering this flat file option is to provide an additional avenue for enrollment and we will work with states on how they might best maximize the use of these files.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

In a letter dated November 29, 2013, (see http://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-PolicyGuidance/downloads/SHO-13-008.pdf) CMS offered states the opportunity to apply for a waiver under section 1902(e)(14)(A) of the Social Security Act to allow them to make temporary enrollment decisions based on the information included in the flat file. So, as long as states follow the procedures outlined in the guidance and other applicable rules with respect to eligibility and claiming, federal funding is available for this temporary enrollment. Individual's circumstances might change and other factors might arise that could change the outcome of the eligibility determination once the state evaluates eligibility based on the full account transfer. Federal funding is not at risk for states that follow appropriate procedures to enroll beneficiaries based on the FFM's determination or assessment of eligibility.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.

Since the waiver is a temporary grant of authority, if changes in circumstance are reported then states have the flexibility to choose to act on reported changes immediately or wait until the full determination occurs. If a state has the capability to review and process the changes reported they can do so, and if a state does not wish to act upon reported changes during this temporary waiver period that is also permissible. States should discuss with CMS how to document the state's policy regarding changes in circumstance in the waiver request.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set.