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
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:
State Medicaid Director Letter: Permanent Extension of Mandatory Medicaid State Plan Coverage of MAT/MOUD
Date:
Topics:
- Benefits
- Coverage
- Mental Health
- Program Administration
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
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
Basic Health Program; Federal Funding Methodology for Program Year 2025
Date:
Topics:
- Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Cost Sharing
- Benefits
- Financing & Reimbursement
- Program Administration
- Eligibility
- Basic Health Program
Type: Informational Bulletin
Accessing Enhanced Federal Medicaid Matching Rates for State Information Technology Expenditures to Improve Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Care Coordination
Date:
Topics:
- Financing & Reimbursement
- Mental Health
- Program Administration
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: Informational Bulletin
Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Monitoring and Oversight Tools, including States’ Responsibility to Comply with Medicaid Managed Care and Separate CHIP Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Requirements
Date:
Topics:
- Managed Care
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Mental Health
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: Informational Bulletin
Frequently Asked Questions on Medicaid and CHIP Coverage of Peer Support Services
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Mental Health
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: Frequently Asked Questions
Informational Bulletin on Opportunities for Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees Experiencing Homelessness
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Health Related Social Needs
- Homelessness
- Mental Health
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: Informational Bulletin
Exercise of Enforcement Discretion until Calendar Year 2028 for Existing Health Care-Related Tax Programs with Hold Harmless Arrangements Involving the Redistribution of Medicaid Payments
Date:
Topics:
- Financing & Reimbursement
Type: Informational Bulletin