Frequently Asked Questions

Information about the known data elements, definitions for the Federal data hub services are contained in Business Services Description (BSD) documents. The best way to access the BSDs and to avoid version control problems, is to request access to the CMS Service Catalog. States may do so by contacting dsh.support@qssinc.com and requesting the CMS Services Catalog User Intake Form. Please note that as the information published on the repository is quite technical in nature, state users should ideally have a technical background.

Supplemental Links:

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

FAQ ID:93291

The Federal agencies involved in data verifications are currently involved in discussions of the overall approach to oversight and audits of safeguards. Certain agencies are expected to conduct their own independent audits.

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

FAQ ID:93296

The Federal data services hub is utilizing the same Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAVE verification service currently available to states. States will receive both the verification data received from SAVE as well as the Federal data services hub-derived indicators of lawful presence, qualified non-citizen status, and whether the five year bar has been met where applicable.

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

FAQ ID:93301

Each federal agency has the authority to define use of its data. Therefore CMS defers to IRS, DHS and SSA who are partnering with us to provide data via the Federal data services hub. Please refer to the CMS Services Catalog to review the Business Service Description (BSD) for the verification of income service to identify the Federal tax information data elements and definitions that will be made available to states through the Federal data services hub.

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

FAQ ID:93306

Enhanced Medicaid funding for Eligibility & Enrollment (E&E) activities is available from the approval of an Advanced Planning Document (APD). An ongoing Medicaid administrative match at the 50% rate is available for activities that take place prior to an approved E&E APD, as long as the activities fall within the purview of administering the Medicaid program (42 CFR 433.15). Funding is available ongoing, subject to APD approvals. More information is available in the State Medicaid Director Letter on Enhanced Funding dated March 31, 2016 (SMD# 16-004), to be found at https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/federal-policy-guidance.html.

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

FAQ ID:93321

The twenty-two standards and conditions are listed in the Medicaid Program; Mechanized Claims Processing and Information Retrieval Systems (90/10) rule issued on 12/4/2015. See https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/12/04/2015-30591/medicaid-program-mechanized-claims-processing-and-information-retrieval-systems-9010.

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

FAQ ID:93331

The requirements of Circular OMB-A-87 apply to the allocation of costs for design, development, and implementation (DDI) and maintenance and operations (M&O) of eligibility and enrollment (E&E) systems including the respective benefiting health insurance affordability programs: Medicaid, CHIP (for states that have separate Title XXI programs or for portions of separate CHIP programs in states that operate a combination CHIP/Medicaid program) and to CCIIO Grant Funding if the project will include functionality for Health Insurance Exchanges.

States can request the temporary exception to Circular OMB-A-87 requirements to use Medicaid enhanced funding for DDI costs of shared eligibility services that will benefit other human service programs (SNAP, TANF, childcare, and child welfare). The exception does not apply to M&O costs, and therefore states must cost allocate to benefiting programs for these costs. For more information, please see the State Medicaid Director Letter, dated July 20, 2015, at https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/smd072015.pdf (PDF, 80.07 KB).

Supplemental Links:

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

FAQ ID:93341

In zONE, states can find business process models, templates for concepts of operations, and other planning and development artifacts, business and technical requirements, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), system design documents, etc. CMS Eligibility & Enrollment (E&E) state leads are available to discuss and assist states in finding the right artifacts in the zONE collaboration spaces. Your SOTA team and your E&E state lead are available to answer specific questions about what might be available soon that is not already in the CALT.

Supplemental Links:

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

FAQ ID:93346

An assessment for IV&V analysis of a state's E&E system development effort will be required for APD projects that meet any of the criteria contained in federal regulations at 45 CFR 95.626(a). If CMS determines that the IV&V analysis is required for a state's system development effort, the provisions contained in federal regulations at 45 CFR 95.626(b) and (c) apply. Additional guidance is available in the Medicaid E&E Toolkit, available at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/data-and-systems/meet/index.html.

Supplemental Links:

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

FAQ ID:93351

Medicaid Budget Expenditure System/Children's Budget Expenditure System (MBES/CBES) has been modified to add new Medicaid Eligibility Determination System lines to the 64.10 Form series beginning with Quarter Ending March 31, 2011:

• 28A - DDI of Medicaid E&E systems/cost of in house activities - 90% FFP
• 28B - DDI of Medicaid E&E systems cost of private sector contractors - 90% FFP
• 28C - Operation of an approved Medicaid E&E system/cost of in-house activities - 75 % FFP
• 28D - Operation of an approved Medicaid E&E system/cost private sector contractors- 75% FFP

FAQ ID:93361