Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided 90 percent federal matching funds for the new or improved eligibility systems that states are developing to accommodate the new modified adjusted gross income rules and to coordinate coverage with the Exchange. To further reduce system costs, we have promoted ways for states to share elements of their system builds with each other, and we will be sharing the business rules for adopting modified adjusted gross income in the new eligibility systems. In addition we are designing, with extensive state and stakeholder consultation, a new combined and streamlined application that states can adopt (or modify subject to Secretarial approval). And, we will continue exploring opportunities to provide States additional support for the administrative costs of eligibility changes. These and other initiatives relating to state systems development will lower administrative costs.

Implementation of the on-line application system, the new data-based eligibility rules, verification and renewal procedures and states' access to the federally-managed data services hub ("the hub") will collectively help defray states' ongoing costs and result in greater efficiency in the long term. For example, states will be able to electronically verify eligibility factors through the hub, where previously they had to verify through multiple federal venues. This is expected to lower the per-person administrative costs of enrollment and renewal for both newly and currently eligible individuals. As stated in previous guidance, no charge will be imposed on states for use of the hub, nor for the required data accessed there. In addition, it is anticipated that many individuals- both those who are eligible under current state eligibility rules as well as those who are eligible under the adult expansion- will apply for coverage via the Exchange. Our rules provide states the option to have the Exchange determine eligibility for Medicaid or to assess eligibility for Medicaid, in both cases using the state's eligibility rules and subject to certain standards. No charge will be imposed on states for the Medicaid determinations or assessments conducted by the Exchanges.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 359.41 KB)

FAQ ID:94586

Yes. Both the "90/10" funding for Medicaid eligibility (E&E) system design and development, and the enhanced 75 percent matching rate for maintenance and operations of such systems, will be available indefinitely as long as the systems meet applicable program requirements.

In previous guidance (PDF, 104.38 KB), we have assured states that the 90/10 and 75/25 percent funding for eligibility systems will be available without regard to whether a state decides to expand its program to cover newly eligible low-income adults. We reiterate that system modernization will be supported and the enhanced matching funds will be available regardless of a state's decision on expansion. Additionally, we will continue exploring opportunities to provide states additional support for the administrative costs of eligibility changes.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 359.41 KB)

FAQ ID:94591

The 90/10 funding is not contingent on a state's decision to proceed with its Medicaid expansion. As the preamble to the final regulation makes clear, the enhanced funding was not solely for eligibility determination systems that support the Medicaid expansion. (76 Fed Reg 21950-21975 (April 19, 2011) and 42 CFR Part 433.
CMS was clear in the final rule that enhanced funding could be available for eligibility determination systems that determine eligibility for traditional eligibility groups. However, such systems must meet all requirements, standards and conditions included in the final rule, including the Standards and Conditions for Medicaid IT that ensure modernized and efficient eligibility systems that produce accurate and timely eligibility determinations and that can interface seamlessly with the Exchange operating in that state. In all states, including those that do not proceed with the expansion, state eligibility systems must be able to electronically pass accounts between the Exchange (whether state-based or federally-facilitated) in order to facilitate seamless coordination. In addition, the systems must be able to support a single streamlined application for coverage among insurance affordability programs, support Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)-based eligibility determinations; and must support new renewal processes and connections for data-driven, electronic verifications as described in the Medicaid eligibility final rule issued March 23, 2012 (available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03- 23/pdf/2012-6560.pdf ).
States are not required to "build in" programming for the new adult group. However, a state that conforms to the Standards and Conditions for Medicaid IT (particularly modular design and separation of business rules from core programming) will be able to quickly and efficiently support enrollment for the expansion population. In addition, enhanced funding is available for states that wish to explicitly "build in" placeholder programming for the new adult group now to provide for future flexibility.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93216

CMS has developed the Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Toolkit (MEET) to provide guidance for states that are conducting E&E systems projects. The MEET is available at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/data-and-systems/meet/index.html.

Also, various artifacts developed by states are posted in a shared environment for reuse by others. These artifacts can be used to help jump-start projects. More information on reuse, including access to the reuse repository, is available at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/data-and-systems/reuse/index.html.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93226

There is no deadline by which states need to decide on the Medicaid expansion. We understand that there are many considerations involved in this decision, and CMS stands ready to work with states on their individual timetables. Regardless of the expansion, every state that uses the Federally Facilitated Exchange will need to support coordination between the Medicaid and CHIP programs and the FFE and otherwise comply with the new MAGI rules as well as the application, renewal and verification procedures described in the Medicaid eligibility final rule issued March 23, 2012 (available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-23/pdf/2012- 6560.pdf). We will be working with each state to ensure that the appropriate business rules are accommodated and tested, and the necessary electronic account handoffs are in place, before the FFE is operational and the new Medicaid rules are in effect. We are continuing to provide more guidance and information on these issues as part of the FFE manual and MOU process as well as through our SOTA calls. We are also establishing a state- to- FFE change process to help manage changes in policies that a state may make over time; a state that decides later to proceed with expansion will be accommodated within that process.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93236

As previously stated in a letter from the Secretary to the nation's governors, the Supreme Court held that a state may not lose federal funding for its existing Medicaid program if the state chooses not to participate in the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults. The Court's decision did not affect other provisions of the law. State Medicaid and CHIP programs will need to coordinate with the Federally-facilitated Exchange, regardless of a state's decision to proceed with expansion. States will need to be part of the seamless system for people to apply for all coverage programs; and will need to coordinate eligibility with the new insurance affordability programs. These provisions have relevance regardless of whether a state chooses to participate in the expansion for low-income adults.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93246

The FFE's role is the same whether or not a state implements the Medicaid expansion for low-income adults. The FFE will still make MAGI-based determinations or assessments of eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP and will assess eligibility for premium tax credits and cost sharing. The FFE will apply the state's eligibility levels for Medicaid/CHIP when it makes the Medicaid determination or assessment. In addition, as established in the Exchange and Medicaid/CHIP eligibility final rules, the FFE will electronically transfer accounts for individuals who are either determined or assessed as eligible for Medicaid and CHIP (it is a state option whether to have the FFE determine or assess eligibility) for further evaluation/action.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93256

The federal hub will provide data verification services to any state-based exchange and to the Medicaid and CHIP program without regard to whether a state has adopted the low-income adult expansion. Consistent with the regulations issued on March 23, 2012, state Medicaid and CHIP programs must rely on the HUB for certain information; this provision applies without regard to whether a state has adopted the Medicaid expansion for low-income adults.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93261

The Federal data services hub will provide the following services on Day 1. CMS is also pursuing data sources for additional verifications through the Federal data services hub and will keep states updated as they are confirmed:

• Social Security Number (SSN) verification via the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Citizenship verification via SSA or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when relevant
• Incarceration verification via SSA
• Title II benefit income information via SSA (monthly and annual amounts)
• Quarters of coverage information via SSA
• MAGI income information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Max APTC from IRS
• Immigration status verification via DHS, as well as a translation to indicators for lawful presence, qualified non-citizen, and five year bar status.
• Public minimum essential coverage (MEC) verification from Federal agencies

FAQ ID:93266

No. We will not charge state-based exchanges (SBEs) or Medicaid/CHIP agencies for the Federal data hub services or underlying data.

Supplemental Links:

• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 104.38 KB)

FAQ ID:93271