The Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) issues technical assistance as part of the state-federal partnership in administering the Medicaid programs. We use this guidance, in the form of letters to State Medicaid Directors, Informational Bulletins, Issue Briefs, and Frequently Asked Questions, to communicate with states and other stakeholders regarding operational issues related to home and community-based services (HCBS).
Technical assistance is available from CMS to assist state Medicaid agencies in developing, enhancing, implementing, and evaluating HCBS.
Medicaid Access Final Rule – HCBS Provisions
CMS published the final rule, “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services (CMS-2442-F)” on April 22, 2024. This final rule takes a comprehensive approach to improving access to care, quality, and health outcomes, and better addressing health equity issues in the Medicaid program across fee for service (FFS) and managed care delivery systems, including in HCBS programs. These improvements increase transparency and accountability, standardize data and monitoring, and create opportunities for states to promote active beneficiary engagement in their Medicaid programs, with the goal of improving access to care.
Additional information on the rule can be found in the Fact Sheet: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services and the dates of applicability summary.
HCBS Training Series
The HCBS Training Page provides web-based training presentations and other materials on a variety of HCBS topics to ensure that CMS, state agencies and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of HCBS programs. These webinars have focused on a variety of topics such as Home and Community Based settings requirements, the Heightened Scrutiny Process, Fiscal Integrity with a focus on Personal Care Services, and Conflict of Interest.