This SPA implements coverage of the new mandatory benefits of COVID 19 Vaccines and Administration of the Vaccines, Diagnostic and Screening Tests, and Treatment, Specialized Equipment and Therapies, and Preventive Therapies in accordance with the requirements of Section 9811 of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.

Coverage and reimbursement of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine administration, coverage and reimbursement of COVID-19 testing, coverage and reimbursement of services for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, including conditions that may seriously complicate the treatment of COVID-19.

CMS is approving this time-limited state plan amendment to allow the state to implement temporary policies while returning to normal operations after the COVID-19 national emergency. This amendment temporarily extends the waiver of the requirement for Registered Behavior Technicians to have a credential if they have completed all training but are unable to test due to COVID-19 related test center closure or COVID-19 related delays, which was originally approved in Disaster Relief SPA 20-0021.

CMS is approving this time-limited state plan amendment to allow the state to implement temporary policies while returning to normal operations after the COVID-19 national emergency. This amendment continues to allow telehealth services to continue until May 31, 2023, originally approved in Disaster Relief SPA TN 20-0004.

This SPA is to amend the provisions governing the Home Health Program in order to increase the number of medical professionals that can order home health services.

This State Plan Amendment updates Nursing Home reimbursement rates to the 2020 nursing home cost reports. The SPA also updates calculation of the Property and Related Net Per Diem established under the FRV System by increasing the rate for construction cost for nursing facilities from $187.12 to 198.86, as derived from the 2020 RSMeans Building Construction cost data for Nursing Homes.

This State Plan change will allow Medicaid to reimburse for Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) services provided to individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder. OTP services are being revised to allow for a bundled payment consistent with Medicare rates that utilizes an integrated service model that includes medication, medication administration, counseling, laboratory tests and case management services.

This State Plan Amendment increases the inpatient hospital per-diem rate of reimbursement for extended observation bed (EOB) services in hospital-based comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs (CPEP), subsequent to a CPEP full or triage and referral visit and where the beneficiary remains in the CPEP for longer than 24 hours.

The purpose of this SPA is to add mandatory coverage of COVID-19 vaccine and administration, testing, and treatment benefits as required by Section 9811 of the American Rescue Plan Act.

The purpose of this SPA is to add mandatory coverage of COVID-19 vaccine and administration, testing, and treatment benefits as required by Section 9811 of the American Rescue Plan Act.