The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 13 released a new set of COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQ) document for state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies.
The document provides additional guidance on Medicaid provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Specifically, the FAQ document provides guidance on:
- the new optional Medicaid eligibility group to provide coverage to uninsured individuals for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services, which is eligible for 100 percent of the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP);
- benefits and cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and diagnostic services;
- implications for CHIP and the Basic Health Program; and
- how COVID-19 relief funds and support impact Medicaid and CHIP eligibility.
The FAQs also provide more information about the enhanced FMAP and accompanying maintenance of effort requirements. The CARES Act added a new subsection to the maintenance of effort requirements allowing states a grace period to reduce premiums that would have made them ineligible for the enhanced FMAP.
Visit the America’s Essential Hospitals coronavirus resource page for more information about the outbreak.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
