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Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance intended to help states restore regular Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) operations after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE) ends. Due to the bold actions of the Trump Administration, CMS was able to provide a variety of flexibilities through waivers and Medicaid and CHIP state plan flexibilities to help states respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 17th, CMS has approved over 600 state Medicaid and CHIP requests for temporary program flexibilities or waivers to ensure that CMS’ state partners have the tools needed to combat COVID-19.
When the COVID-19 PHE ends, many of the flexibilities and waivers granted to states will also end. CMS is releasing this guidance now to ensure that states have sufficient time to plan and prepare to transition back to normal operations. It outlines CMS expectations in critical policy areas, including addressing pending eligibility and enrollment actions that developed during the COVID-19 PHE. It also outlines other planning considerations for states, including steps they would need to take should they wish to make any of the temporary flexibilities permanent. The Trump Administration remains committed to providing state partners with the resources and technical assistance needed to respond to the pandemic as well as plan for the eventual transition to normal state operations.
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