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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.

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Can a state type information and data into unlocked fields in the Upper Payment Limit (UPL) templates or must the data from state-developed UPL reports/workbooks be mapped through, for example, V-Look-ups into the UPL templates?

Yes. Mapping data, through V-Look-ups, for example, is a much easier and consistent process for current and future UPL submissions. However, a state may choose to type information and data into unlocked fields in the UPL templates. When a state chooses to input data directly (not through a V-Look-up) into the template, it still must provide the supporting documentation with the source data. Additionally, the state should explain how it mapped data from the supporting documentation into the template. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services utilizes the supporting information to confirm that the information in the templates is correct.

FAQ ID:92451

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Do states need to track people enrolled in the adult group who become pregnant? If a woman indicates on the application she is pregnant, do states need to enroll her as a pregnant woman if she is otherwise eligible for the adult group? Would there be a need to track pregnancy if the benefits for both groups are the same?

If a woman indicates on an initial application that she is pregnant, she should be enrolled in Medicaid coverage as a pregnant woman, rather than in the new adult group. However, as stated in the preamble to the March 23, 2012 Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility & Enrollment final rule , states are not required to track the pregnancy status of women already enrolled through the new adult group. Women should be informed of the benefits afforded to pregnant women under the state's Medicaid program and if a woman becomes pregnant and requests a change in coverage category, the state must make the change if she is eligible.

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FAQ ID:92151

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If a woman moves from the adult group under 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) to the pregnant woman group, are states then required to move former pregnant women from the pregnant women eligibility group back to the adult group when the post-partum period ends?

If a woman is enrolled in a group for pregnant women, before the end of the post-partum period, as specified in the definition of "pregnant woman" at 42 CFR 435.4, the state Medicaid agency will need to re-evaluate the woman's eligibility for other groups, including the lowincome adult group and advance payment of premium tax credits through the Marketplace. Our regulations at 42 CFR 435.916 explain the requirements for states in connection with renewals of eligibility or determinations of ineligibility based on a change in circumstances. The procedures outlined in the regulation are intended to promote continuity of coverage.

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FAQ ID:92161

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How do I withdraw a submission package?

A State may withdraw a submission package once it has been submitted to CMS. Withdrawing a submission package takes it out of contention and the submission package cannot be edited or resubmitted. Log in as State Point of Contact, and select the "Records" tab. Then select "Submission Packages" for your State. Next, select the link to the submission package you wish to withdraw. In the left panel, select "Related Actions". Next, select "Withdraw Submission Package". Then select the green button labeled "Withdraw Submission Package". A box will pop up, select "Yes". Once the submission package is withdrawn, you will be redirected to the Records screen. A yellow notification will appear briefly at the top of the page indicating "Action Completed Successfully".

FAQ ID:92891

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How do I allow CMS to view my submission package prior to submitting?

After the State Editor has forwarded the submission package to the State Point of Contact for Reviewing, the State Point of contact should log into MACPro. Then go to the "Records" tab and select "Submission Packages" for your state. Select the submission package you wish for CMS to view. In the left panel, select "Related Actions". Next, select "Allow CMS to View Screen". On the Allow CMS to View Screen page, select "Yes" under Visibility Setting, and then select the green "Update Visibility" button in the bottom right corner.

Note: Selecting this option will permit the CMS review team to see the screens in this submission package as they are now. It does not cause the package to be submitted as Draft or Official, and does not start a CMS review clock. Validation of the screens is not required. Notify your CMS contact that viewing is available and who you wish to see it; MACPro does not notify CMS staff. You can deselect this option at any time.

FAQ ID:92896

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What functions can my role perform?

Refer to the table below.

Role Actions
State Editor (SE)
  • Responsible for creating SPA submission packages
State Point of Contact (SPOC)
  • Responsible for reviewing and submitting the SPA submission package to CMS
  • Responds to Requests for Additional Information (RAIs) from CMS
  • Documents and reviews Correspondence Log
State Director (State Director)
  • Reviews and certifies SPA submission packages
State System Administrator (SSA)
  • Creates/maintains State Profile

FAQ ID:92901

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How do I assign a SPA ID?

The SPA ID is assigned by the State Editor and entered in a field in Official Submission packages. The SPA ID (SS-YY-NNNN-xxxx) is assigned by the State in Official Submission Packages and consists of the State abbreviation (SS), they year (YY), a four character sequence number (NNNN), and an optional four character alpha and numeric (xxxx).

FAQ ID:92906

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How do I access previous submission packages for my state?

Select the "Records" tab in the upper tool bar. Select "Submission Packages" for your state and then search for the package you would like to view.

FAQ ID:92911

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What is the difference between a Draft Submission Package and Official Submission Package?

Official Submission Package

CMS suggests initially submitting simple program amendments or new programs that are similar to existing programs as official submission packages.

Draft Submission Package

CMS suggests submitting complex programs or new Health Home models and new targeted amendments as draft submission packages.

Official submissions start the 90 day policy clock upon submission to CMS for review and disposition.

Drafts submitted to CMS do not start the 90 Day Policy Clock.

CMS may review and view package. States may allow CMS to view the submission package informally prior to official submission.
CMS may approve, disapprove, request additional information (RAI), or submit a clarification for the official submission package. CMS may review, but cannot approve, disapprove, implement an RAI, or request clarification for the draft submission package.
The State may allow CMS to view the submission package informally prior to official submission. When CMS returns the package to the State they may provide feedback in the correspondence log or offline.
If the state chooses not to edit the returned draft package, it may be closed and converted to an official package for submission to CMS starting the 90 Day Policy Clock.
If the state chooses to edit the returned submission package, the state must re-submit the draft to CMS as a draft submission package for re-review prior to closing the draft submission and converting to an official submission package.
Closed draft submissions cannot be edited.
Official submissions that were converted from drafts cannot be edited with the exception of the SPA ID and proposed effective date prior to submissions to CMS.

FAQ ID:92916

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What is the difference between the SPA ID and Package ID?

The package ID is an auto-generated ID consists of the two letter state abbreviation, the year, the authority in this case MH for Medicaid Health Homes, an automatic number assignment, and the letter O for official or D for draft. The package ID is used to track this submission package. The SPA ID (SS-YY-NNNN-xxxx) is assigned by the State in Official Submission Packages and consists of the State abbreviation (SS), they year (YY), a four-character sequence number (NNNN), and four-character optional alpha and numeric (xxxx).

FAQ ID:92921

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