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The Final Rule at section 438.2 defines a rating period as the 12 month period

Yes. CMS acknowledges that states may have legitimate reasons to set capitation rates for a time period that differs from 12 months and will take unusual circumstances into account when reviewing compliance with the rating period duration requirements. CMS will approve a rating period other than of 12 months when a state transitions the contract term and rating period from a calendar year to a state fiscal year basis and setting capitation rates for a 6 month or 18 month period would facilitate that transition. There may be other reasonable justifications for such variations in the rating period that CMS would be open to considering. The rationale for a rating period that differs from 12 months as defined in the regulation in section 438.2 should be specified in the rate certification required in section 438.7 for such consideration.

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Date
Sub Topic
FAQ ID
93456
FAQ Question
The Final Rule at section 438.2 defines a rating period as the 12 month period for which actuarially sound capitation rates are set, but there may be legitimate reasons why a state may want to set capitation rates for a time period that is less than or greater than 12 months. Will states have any flexibility in this area?