CMS

As part of the New Freedom Initiative, 17 states have been awarded Real Choice System Changes grants. The $25.8 million in grants is to help people of all ages with disabilities or long-term illnesses live in their homes and participate fully in community life. Review the list of Systems Transformation Grant Awardees and Family to Family Health Information and Education Center Awardees.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the unique needs of people with disabilities must be surveyed and responded to. If you’re seeking help, review our collection of resources, initiatives and written material about available assistance and supports.

CMS has acted to assure Medicare, Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs will accommodate emergency health care needs of beneficiaries and medical providers in Hurricane Katrina devastated states. CMS emergency relief activities and information including a detailed explanation of billing and payment policy revisions, and phone numbers for the state medical assistance offices can be found on this website. Frequently asked questions and their answers will be updated daily by 2pm.

This presentation reviews important changes CMS is making in the reporting system for FY04 RCSC grants. The slides provide an overview of the “why and how of the proposed changes” offers next steps and introduces the Logic Model Framework. The Logic Model is a tool for strategic planning and program evaluation. This presentation notifies grantees of upcoming changes to the web-based reporting system and introduces the systems terminology, context and concepts.

CMS announced that a certificate of medical necessity is no longer required for power wheelchair and power operated vehicle claims. This is another step to streamline and ensure appropriate access for people with Medicare to power operated vehicles. In an interim final rule with opportunity to comment that went on display at the Federal Register, CMS clarified the requirements for prescribing, supplying, and receiving payment for these vehicles. Review the interim final rule and fact sheet.

The Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, CMS invites your comments on their draft Strategic Action Plan. The action plan is a is a public declaration of what is important, a statement of accountability, and provides direction to the future. Please review and send your comments to StrategicActionPlan@cms.hhs.gov

On August 18, 2005 CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, and Administration on Aging Assistant Secretary Josefina Carbonell announced $15 million in grants to 19 states to create a single source of information and assistance for families navigating the often confusing array of long-term care services. Part of the New Freedom Initiative, the ADRC grants are jointly administered by CMS and HHS’ Administration on Aging. A complete list of grantees and award amounts are included in the press release.

This memo is from Gale Arden, Director of the Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group. The letter offers clarity on the changes brought about by the Medicare Modernization Act and prescription drugs for persons who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles).

CMS recently hosted a teleconference to provide an overview of the recently released draft 1915 (c) Medicaid Waiver Application. The presentation offered information on the development of the application including incorporation of comments from states; the protocol for use of the application in its draft form; design and development of the web based application including plans for Beta testing; information on CMS training events and the roll out plan which includes an evaluation component.

This document was created by the CMS Quality Council, in an effort to delineate and advance a vision for improving of medical care. It provides a summary of CMS's many quality-related initiatives. The goal of the quality roadmap is to ensure the right care for every person every time and to do this by making care safe, effective, efficient, patient-centered, timely and equitable.