Consolidated Appropriations Act

On August 15, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin to advise that the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 modifies section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to require that state Medicaid agencies apply the spousal impoverishment rules to married applicants and beneficiaries eligible for home and community-based services (HCBS) through September 30, 2027.

On January 5, 2023 CMS released an Informational Bulletin providing further guidance on the Medicaid eligibility provisions in the recently-enacted Federal budget (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023). The CAA permits states to begin terminating Medicaid eligibility for current recipients on April 1, 2023 and provides gradually-decreased FMAP increases through December, 2023. This IB is the first in a series of written guidance from CMS on these provisions, focusing first on revised key due dates for certain state eligibility redetermination deliverables and activities.

The wave of federal funding from programs like the American Rescue Plan and Consolidated Appropriations acts can be overwhelming to comprehend. Many state leaders are wondering how best to invest these funds while keeping future needs in mind. This panel of state-level experts will provide considerations for funding topics including: • Understanding current funding initiatives • Considering the range of options states have to use funds • Implementing innovations like private-pay programs