HHS Offers States Flexibility to Better Address Medicaid Enrollees’ Needs

Home Care Association of America

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS released guidance to help states expand access to health care services and address health-related social needs for people with Medicaid coverage. The option of “in lieu of services and settings” in Medicaid managed care will help state offer alternative benefits to address unmet health-related social needs, such as housing instability and food insecurity.

​Provided via a state Medicaid director letter, the guidance establishes requirements that states must meet to ensure the services are cost effective, medically appropriate, preserve enrollee rights and protections, and fulfill the objectives of the Medicaid program.
 
For more information or to read the state Medicaid director letter in its entirety, visit Medicaid.gov. 

https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/smd23001.pdf