CMS Releases Final Regulations, Final Access Rule Regulation

On April 22, 2024, CMS released a new set of final regulations related to ensuring access to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). The regulations are collectively referred to as the Access Rule. The Access Rule adds new requirements for states in both managed care and fee-for-service (FFS) delivery systems related to: • Payment adequacy and transparency of Medicaid payment rates to direct care workers; • Critical incident management; • Timeliness of access to services; • Person-centered service planning; • Establishing a grievance system in fee-for-service (FFS) programs; and • Quality measures.