CMS is approving this time-limited state plan amendment (SPA) to respond to the COVID-19 national emergency. The purpose of this amendment is to rescind, effective February 9, 2021, the election at a temporary rate increase for personal care assistance service.

It eliminates payment for bed reserve days for hospitalizations for all residents aged over 21 years with the exception of persons on hospice and therapeutic leaves. 

This amendment was submitted in order to update the Children's System of Care rates.

The purpose of SPA #21-0026 is to comply with State Medicaid Director letter #10-021 of October 1, 2010 and to request an exception to the Recovery Audit Contract (RAC) program.

SPA authorizes a new supplemental payment to facilities treating a high volume of patients under the age of 18. 

The SPA authorizes an additional class of disproportionate share hospital payments to facilities treating a high number of COVID-19 patients.