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
REFINE YOUR SEARCH:
Healthy Adult Opportunity State Guidance (SMD 25-001)
Date:
Topics:
- Delivery System
- Program Administration
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
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
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:
Notice of Technology and Process Upgrades for Account Transfer Functionality for States Served by Marketplaces on the Federal Platform
Date:
Topics:
- Data & Systems
- Eligibility
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Marketplace
- COVID-19
- Unwinding
Type: Informational Bulletin
Best Practices for Adhering to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Requirements
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Benefits
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Coverage
- Delivery Systems
- Managed Care
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Program Administration
- COVID-19
Type: State Health Official 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
Guidelines for Achieving Compliance with Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Renewal Timeliness Requirements Following the Medicaid and CHIP Unwinding Period
Date:
Topics:
- Access to Care
- Children's Health Insurance Program
- Eligibility
- Outreach & Enrollment
- Program Administration
- Renewals
- COVID-19
- Unwinding
Type: Informational Bulletin
Budget Neutrality for Section 1115(a) Medicaid Demonstration Projects SMDL (SMD 24-003)
Date:
Topics:
- Program Administration
- Section 1115 Demonstrations
- COVID-19
Type: State Medicaid Director Letter
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