The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for implementing laws passed by Congress related to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program. To implement these programs, CMS issues various forms of guidance to explain how laws will be implemented and what states and others need to do to comply. In addition to regulations, CMS issues sub-regulatory guidance to address policy issues as well as operational updates and technical clarifications of existing guidance.
Federal Policy Guidance
REFINE YOUR SEARCH:
Healthy Adult Opportunity State Guidance (SMD 25-001)
Date:
Topics:
- Delivery System
- Program Administration
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
2026 Updates to the Child and Adult Core Health Care Quality Measurement Sets and Mandatory Reporting Guidance
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: State Health Official Letter
Coverage of Services and Supports to Address Health-Related Social Needs in Medicaid and CHIP
Date:
Topics:
- Benefits
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Financing & Reimbursement
- Health Related Social Needs
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
Type: Informational Bulletin
Links:
Budget Neutrality for Section 1115(a) Medicaid Demonstration Projects SMDL (SMD 24-003)
Date:
Topics:
- Program Administration
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
- COVID-19
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
2025 Updates to the Child and Adult Core Health Care Quality Measurement Sets and Mandatory Reporting Guidance
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: State Health Official Letter
2024 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS)
Date:
Topics:
- Long-Term Services & Support
- Quality of Care
- Program Administration
Type: Informational Bulletin
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS) Reporting Requirements for Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Grant Recipients
Date:
Topics:
- Long-Term Services & Support
- Quality of Care
- Program Administration
Type: Informational Bulletin
Initial Core Set Mandatory Reporting Guidance for the Health Home Core Quality Measure Sets and Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Updates to the Health Home Core Quality Measure Sets (SMD 24-002)
Date:
Topics:
- Long-Term Services & Support
- Quality of Care
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
Initial Core Set Mandatory Reporting Guidance SHO
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: State Health Official Letter
Updates to the Child and Adult Core Health Care Quality Measurement Set
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: Informational Bulletin