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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.
Date
FAQ ID
92916
FAQ Question
What is the difference between a Draft Submission Package and Official Submission Package?