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Key Questions About the New Increase in Federal Medicaid Matching Funds for COVID-19

Key Questions About the New Increase in Federal Medicaid Matching Funds for COVID-19 Key Questions About the New Increase in Federal Medicaid Matching Funds for COVID-19, our suggestion to make money from home: Key Questions About the New Increase in Federal Medicaid Matching Funds for COVID-19, our suggestion for walmart products tags, our suggestion for Diamond CBD Gummy products get your last business news our CBD oil suggestion our suggestion for weight loss our suggestion for keto weight loss Recent federal legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, amended by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, authorizes a 6. 2 percentage point increase in federal Medicaid matching funds to help states respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional funds are available to states from January 1, 2020 through the quarter in which the public health emergency period ends, provided that states meet certain conditions. The HHS Secretary declared COVID-19 a nationwide public health emergency on January 31, 2020, retroactive to January 27, 2020. The public health emergency ends when the Secretary declares that the emergency no longer exists or after 90 days, whichever happens first, although the Secretary can renew the public health emergency declaration for subsequent periods. This issue brief answers key questions about the new federal funds, drawing on two sets of frequently asked questions about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and CARES Act issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A separate issue brief answers key questions about another provision of the new law, which provides 100% federal funding for states to cover coronavirus testing for uninsured people. Why is increasing federal Medicaid funding significant at this time? Increasing the amount of federal matching funds available to states during significant economic downturns is an effective means of providing fiscal relief. An increase in states’ federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) leverages Medicaid’s existing financing structure, which allows federal funds to be provided to states more quickly and efficiently than establishing a new program or allocating money from a new funding stream. Increased federal matching funds support states in responding to the increased need for services, such as testing and treatment during the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as increased enrollment as more people lose income and qualify for Medicaid during the economic downturn. When can states access the increased federal funding? CMS already has made the enhanced federal funding available to states, and the funding increase will continue through the quarter in which the public health emergency ends. States could draw down the increased federal matching funds beginning in late March for claims paid in the first quarter of 2020, and in early April for the second quarter of 2020. Expenditures are considered to be incurred for purposes of drawing down the enhanced matching funds on the date that the state pays a provider, not on the date of service. The amount of increased funds available to states is based on states’ estimated budget requests, with claims to be reconciled with allowable expenditures when states file their quarterly expenditure reports. U. S. territories also are eligible to receive the increased federal matching funds. What spending is subject to the increase? The enhanced federal matching funds generally apply to Medicaid spending that is otherwise reimbursed at the state’s regular FMAP. The FMAP is based on state per capita income and ranges from 50% to 78% in FY 2021. The enhanced federal matching funds do not apply to administrative expenses or to most Medicaid spending that is already subject to an increased match, including ACA expansion adults (90%), family planning services (90%), services received through an Indian Health Services facility (100%), Medicare cost-sharing assistance for Qualified Individuals (100%), and health home services (90% during first eight quarters). CMS recently clarified that the 6. 2% enhanc..

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