The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for implementing laws passed by Congress related to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program. To implement these programs, CMS issues various forms of guidance to explain how laws will be implemented and what states and others need to do to comply. In addition to regulations, CMS issues sub-regulatory guidance to address policy issues as well as operational updates and technical clarifications of existing guidance.
Federal Policy Guidance
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Rescission of Guidance on Health-Related Social Needs
Date:
Topics:
- Health Related Social Needs
- Program Administration
Type: Informational Bulletin
2026 Updates to the Child and Adult Core Health Care Quality Measurement Sets and Mandatory Reporting Guidance
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: State Health Official Letter
Ensuring Seamless Coverage Transitions between Medicaid, Separate CHIP, and Other Insurance Affordability Programs and Exercise of Enforcement Discretion to Delay Implementation of Certain Coverage Transition Requirements
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Compliance
- Coverage
- Eligibility
- Enrollment
- Program Administration
- Renewals
- Unwinding
- COVID-19
Type: Informational Bulletin
Coverage of Services and Supports to Address Health-Related Social Needs in Medicaid and CHIP
Date:
Topics:
- Benefits
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Financing & Reimbursement
- Health Related Social Needs
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
Type: Informational Bulletin
Links:
Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Against Impermissible Fraud and Abuse Sanctions (SMD 24-005) [RESCINDED ON MAY 1, 2025]
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Compliance
- Program Administration
- Program Integrity
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
State Compliance with Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Requirements by December 31, 2026
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Compliance
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Program Administration
- Renewals
- COVID-19
- Unwinding
Type: Informational Bulletin
2025 Updates to the Child and Adult Core Health Care Quality Measurement Sets and Mandatory Reporting Guidance
Date:
Topics:
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- CHIPRA
- Program Administration
- Quality of Care
Type: State Health Official Letter
Informational Bulletin on Opportunities for Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees Experiencing Homelessness
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Health Related Social Needs
- Homelessness
- Mental Health
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Substance Use Disorders
Type: Informational Bulletin
2024 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS)
Date:
Topics:
- Long-Term Services & Support
- Quality of Care
- Program Administration
Type: Informational Bulletin
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS) Reporting Requirements for Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Grant Recipients
Date:
Topics:
- Long-Term Services & Support
- Quality of Care
- Program Administration
Type: Informational Bulletin