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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are used to provide additional information and/or statutory guidance not found in State Medicaid Director Letters, State Health Official Letters, or CMCS Informational Bulletins. The different sets of FAQs as originally released can be accessed below.

Showing 21 to 30 of 176 results

Is the aggregate durable medical equipment (DME) limit on federal financial participation (FFP) per category of DME or an aggregate in total?

The limit on FFP is the total aggregate amount for all relevant DME subject to the limit described in Section 1903(i)(27) of the Act.

FAQ ID:93506

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What is the Medicare definition of durable medical equipment (DME) used in the State Medicaid Director Letter?

The guidance document references 42 CFR 414.202. The regulation defines “durable medical equipment” as equipment, furnished by a supplier or a home health agency that meets the following conditions:

  • Can withstand repeated use
  • Effective with respect to items classified as DME after January 1, 2012, has an expected life of at least three years
  • Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
  • Generally is not useful to an individual in the absence of an illness or injury
  • Is appropriate for use in the home

FAQ ID:93511

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Will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) send the Medicare rates to the states each year for their regions?

Medicare payment amounts for durable medical equipment (DME) are available through CMS.gov (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/DMEPOSFeeSched/DMEPOS-Fee-Schedule.html) and through DMECompetitiveBid.com, which is the Medicare website for the competitive bidding program. States may access the appropriate information through these resources, or upon request through MedicaidDME@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:93516

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How can a state contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for help with the federal financial participation (FFP) Limit for state expenditures for durable medical equipment (DME)? Where can a state submit statements and supporting evidence that the states are already in compliance with this DME limit on FFP based on the state using Medicare rates?

For technical assistance with the implementation efforts and assistance with determining if current state practices are below the FFP limit, please contact the Medicaid DME mailbox: MedicaidDME@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:93476

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Where can states find a list of the Medicare competitive bidding areas (CBAs), including zip codes and areas of the state, and how does a state find out if it has CBAs?

States may review Medicare’s CBAs through the following website for the most up-to-date information: www.dmecompetitivebid.com. In the alternative, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has a list of states and CBAs by state that is available upon request. We will monitor the lists and update them with any necessary Medicare changes. As of January 1, 2018, the following states and territories do not have CBAs: Alaska, Maine, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and all of the US territories.

FAQ ID:93481

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Are individuals who were in foster care and enrolled in Medicaid when they turned age 18 or aged out of foster care in a different state eligible under this group?

We do not believe the statue requires states to cover, under this group, individuals who were in foster care and enrolled in Medicaid when they turned age 18 or aged out of foster care in a different state. However, we believe the statute provides states the option to do so. As noted above, pending publication of a final regulation at section 435.150, states may exercise the option proposed when they complete SPA page S33 for this group.

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FAQ ID:92166

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At state option, are states allowed to claim title XIX funding instead of title XXI for services provided under a Medicaid expansion program?

Yes. Section 115 of CHIPRA gives states the option to claim expenditures for Medicaid expansion program populations under section 1905(u)(2)(B) of the Act, either at the enhanced FMAP rate using title XXI funds or at the regular FMAP rate using title XIX funds. States that elect to claim expenditures under title XXI will receive the enhanced FMAP rate. However, states that elect to claim expenditures under title XIX will receive the regular Medicaid FMAP rate. Claims submitted at the enhanced FMAP rate will be paid from the state's CHIP allotment.

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FAQ ID:92171

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How will states and providers know which primary care services will be paid at the higher rates under CMS 2370-F?

Regulation at 42 CFR 447.000(c)(1) and (2) specifies Evaluation and Management codes 99201 through 99499 and vaccine administration codes 90460, 90461, 90471, 90472, 90473, or their successor codes.

FAQ ID:92126

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Under CMS 2370-F, may states continue to use discounted reimbursement rates for out-of-state or out-of-network eligible primary care providers, which may be less than the Medicare rate, for calendar years (CYs) 2013 and 2014?

CMS acknowledges the customary practice of reimbursing out-of-state or out-of-network providers at a base rate minus a defined percentage. The applicable Medicare rate effectively becomes the ‘floor’ for payments to eligible providers for eligible services rendered in CYs 2013 and 2014. Health plans may pay above that rate but not below.

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FAQ ID:92131

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Under CMS 2370-F, CMS has indicated that the CMS-64 will be modified for states to report the expenditures that will receive the 100 percent federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for the increased expenditures for primary care services. Will the CMS-21 also be modified to report these expenditures for the CHIP Medicaid Expansion population?

No. The only expenditures that count against the CHIP allotment and must be reported on the CMS-21 are those related to the Medicaid rate in effect on July 1, 2009. The difference between those rates and the 2013 and 2014 Medicare rates eligible for 100 percent FMAP are Medicaid expenditures and are reported on the CMS 64.9.

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FAQ ID:92116

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