The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two informational bulletins outlining enhanced Medicaid support for pregnant mothers and infants affected by an opioid use disorder.
These bulletins provide information to states on sections contained in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, the 2018 bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid epidemic.
The first bulletin provides information on how to cover services for infants via residential pediatric recovery centers (RPRCs) — a new provider type for which coverage was authorized under section 1007 of the SUPPORT Act. Beneficiaries can use RPRCs for treatment of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome without other significant medical risk factors. The bulletin also provides information on how states should implement provisions allowing RPRCs to provide counseling and other services to mothers of infants in their care.
The second bulletin provides information on implementing a limited exception to the institutions for mental disease exclusion for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder, covered under section 1012 of the SUPPORT Act.
America’s Essential Hospitals has established a resource page for the opioid epidemic and a tracker highlighting funding opportunities available to essential hospitals under the SUPPORT Act.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
