Here is a summary of recent CMS actions taken in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, click here www.coronavirus.gov. For information specific to CMS, please visit the CMS News Room and Current Emergencies Website.
CMS Approves 12 Additional State Medicaid Waivers to Give States Flexibility to Address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
CMS approved an additional 10 state Medicaid waiver requests under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act (Act), bringing the total number of approved Section 1135 waivers for states to 23. The waivers were approved within days of states’ submitting them, and offer states new flexibilities to focus their resources on combatting the outbreak and providing the best possible care to Medicaid beneficiaries in their states. The waivers were approved within days of states' submitting them, and offer states new flexibilities to focus their resources on combatting the outbreak and providing the best possible care to Medicaid beneficiaries in their states. These waivers support President Trump’s commitment to a COVID-19 response that is locally executed, state managed and federally supported.
In addition, keeping with its commitment to ensure states have the necessary tools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS also approved TWO additional Appendix K Amendments requests to existing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers under Section 1915 (c) of the Social Security Act (Act), bringing the total to 6 approved waivers to date.
New Guidance Regarding Enhanced Medicaid Funding for States – Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CMS released a set of Frequently Asked questions regarding the implementation of provisions under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116-127) that provide states with enhanced federal Medicaid funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the release of implementation guidance.
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CMS released Frequently Asked Questions on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief related to COVID-19 including the toll-free hotlines available to Medicare Administrative Contractors. These hotlines provide expedited enrollment and answer questions related to COVID-19 enrollment requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Guidance on Payment and Grace Periods, Telehealth for Private Coverage, and Prescription Drugs
CMS posted guidance on Payment and Grace Period Flexibilities for Issuers Offering Coverage on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges and State-based Exchanges on the Federal Platform. Under the newly released guidance, CMS announced that it will exercise enforcement discretion to permit issuers of qualified health plans (QHPs) and stand-alone dental plans (SADPs) to extend payment deadlines for initial binder payments as well as ongoing premium payments during the period of the COVID-19 national emergency. Additionally, CMS released FAQs on the “Availability and Usage of Telehealth Services Through Private Health Insurance Coverage”, and on “Prescription Drugs and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Issuers Offering Health Insurance Coverage in the Individual and Small Group Markets”.
Update on Enforcement of Open Payments Program Records Submission
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 is the Open Payments Program Year 2019 data submission deadline for applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) to submit and attest to data for the June 2020 publication of Program Year 2019 data. Because the deadline cannot be extended past March 31, 2020, CMS we will exercise enforcement discretion for submissions completed after the statutory deadline due to circumstances beyond the reporting entity’s control related to the pandemic. For more details, click here: Open Payments FAQ Page
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