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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 1 to 10 of 30 results

What is the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A -87 Exception?

OMB Circular A-87requires costs associated with building shared state-based Information Technology (IT) systems that support multiple health and human service programs be allocated across all benefitting programs in proportion to their use of the system. The OMB A-87 Exception revised this approach by allowing human service programs (e.g. SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, etc.) and others to utilize a wide range of IT components, needed by Medicaid but also of use to these other programs, at no additional cost except for interfaces or other uniquely required services specific to those programs. The A-87 Exception applies only to design, development, and implementation. Maintenance and operations work should continue to be allocated in accordance with the A-87 Circular. OMB Circular A-87  â€“ Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, has been Relocated to 2 CFR, Part 225 .

FAQ ID:93611

When does the OMB A-87 Exception expire?

On July 20, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a three-year extension of the Exception to the OMB A-87 cost allocation requirements from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2018. We are currently making plans for the OMB A-87 exception to end.

FAQ ID:93616

What is the impact of the OMB A-87 expiration for states utilizing the exception for system integration development?

States will need to incur costs for goods and services furnished no later than December 31, 2018 to make use of this Exception. Therefore, if work is completed by December 31, 2018, it can be funded under the OMB A-87 Exception and states should follow typical invoicing and claiming processes. However, if an amount has been obligated by December 31, 2018, but the good or service is not furnished by that date, then such expenditure must be cost allocated by program in proportion to their use of the system in accordance with OMB A-87.

FAQ ID:93621

How should states account for OMB A-87 exception in their Advance Planning Documents (APD)

For FFY2019 annual APDs and budget tables, including the Medicaid Detailed Budget Table (MDBT), must be completed as follows:

  • For Q1 FFY2019, states can allocate costs in accordance with the OMB A-87 Exception
  • For Q2-Q$ FFY2019, and all APDs going forward, states should allocate costs as required under the OMB A-87 Circular

If a state has already submitted their annual APDs without providing separate budgets they will need to complete an APDU with a revised MDBT and cost allocation plan. The update should address how cost allocation will be done prior to, and after, December 31, 2018. Budget tables should be completed as described above.

The Data and Systems Group (DSG) that approves APDs does not approve cost allocation methodology. States working to develop their new methodologies should send operational cost allocation plans to Cost Allocation Services  and the regional office fiscal staff for all benefiting programs.

FAQ ID:93626

What browsers are compatible with MACPro?

Browser Comments
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, 10, 9, and 8

Microsoft Internet Explorer 10, 9, and 8 are depreciated and will not be supported in a future release of MACPro.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 is supported on Windows 8.x tablet.

Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox updates automatically. MACPro supports the most recent stable version of Mozilla Firefox.
Google Chrome Google Chrome updates automatically. MACPro supports the most recent stable version of Google Chrome.
Apple Safari Apple Safari is only supported on Mac operating systems.

FAQ ID:92846

Is there spell check in MACPro?

The spell check function is determined by your web browser and is not a feature within MACPro itself. Within Internet Explorer, there is an option to turn spelling correction on or off.

  1. Under "Settings," choose the "Programs" tab and then select "Manage add-ons."
  2. On the left hand tool bar, there is a "Spelling Correction" Add-on Type. There is a box labeled "Enable Spelling Correction" that can be selected.
  3. Select "Enable spelling correction".

FAQ ID:92851

Who should be contacted with questions?

If there are questions or problems related to the system/website, please contact the MACPro Help Desk staff via email to MACPro_HelpDesk@cms.hhs.gov. If there are questions regarding the quality measure content or reporting please contact MAC Quality TA via the contact link at the bottom of the screen or by email to MACQualityTA@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:92726

How do I add new users to the system?

User Management is a feature in MACPro that works in conjunction with the CMS EIDM user identification and authentication system. To request access to the MACPro application, a user must first go to the Enterprise Identity Management Portal (EIDM: https://portal.cms.gov ) and create an EIDM ID. Once an ID is created, the user must request access to the MACPro application by way of an EIDM role. Once their EIDM role request is approved, they may access MACPro via the link https://macpro.cms.gov  and enter their newly created EIDM credentials to log in. Once in MACPro, the user must request their MACPro roles and attributes via My User Profile under the Records tab. MACPro user role requests are approved by the State System Administrator, CMS System Administrator, or CMS Role Approver. Further detailed instructions can be found in the reference documents posted to Medicaid.gov (https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/medicaid-and-chip-program-portal/medicaid-and-chip-program-portal.html).

FAQ ID:92731

Do I have to log out of the system when I am finished working in the application and want to exit the system?

Yes, before logging out, save any information you have entered. Select the Logout link when you're finished with the application site and then close your browser. By doing so, you prevent others from potentially gaining access to your application in your absence.

FAQ ID:92736

I locked myself out of my account, what should I do?

Email the MACPro Help Desk at MACPro_HelpDesk@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:92741

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