Updates

Feb 7, 2025 

Protecting Access to Preventive Services: A State Roadmap 

On January 10, 2025, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case, Becerra v. Braidwood Management, Inc., that could substantially weaken the Affordable Care Act’s guarantee of no-cost preventive services in private insurance. This expert perspective describes how states can take action to preserve no-cost preventive services coverage in their regulated markets through legislative or administrative means, including by shoring up their essential health benefits benchmarks, leveraging standardized plans, and using the bully pulpit to identify carriers and insurance products that retreat from today’s coverage.

Jan 17, 2025 

Release of Updated CMS Guidance on Continuous Eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP Children and Youth

On January 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released updated State Health Official letter and Frequently Asked Questions guidance, replacing a previously issued SHO letter and FAQs on the requirement in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 that states provide 12 months of continuous eligibility for children and youth under the age of 19 in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, effective as of January 1, 2024.

Jan 7, 2025 

Release of New E&E Guidance Related to Renewal Forms and Medicaid/Separate CHIP Transitions

Following the November release of guidance to support states’ efforts to verify eligibility and conduct renewals in compliance with federal Medicaid and CHIP requirements, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued on December 20 two additional Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational Bulletins (CIBs). This expert perspective summarizes the requirements outlined in the CIBs.

Dec 20, 2024 

New CMS Guidance on Compliance Requirements for Provision of Medicaid/CHIP Services to Incarcerated Youth

On December 19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released State Health Official (SHO) letter 24-006, “Provision of Medicaid and CHIP Services to Incarcerated Youth – FAQs,” which provides several clarifications for states on compliance expectations for implementing section 5121 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This expert perspective describes key clarifications addressed in the SHO letter.