Guidance on Adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions to State Medicaid and CHIP Applications for Health Coverage

CMS released an informational bulletin on adding sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions to state Medicaid and CHIP applications. The guidance follows a recent announcement that starting November 1, individuals applying for coverage through HealthCare.gov will be asked three new optional SOGI questions. States that elect to include these questions on their Medicaid and CHIP applications exactly as they are worded will not be required to seek CMS approval, while states using alternative language are asked to work with CMS and may need to seek formal approval. Irrespective of which wording states choose, these questions must be optional.