Following the issuance of the proposed rule on August 17, 2011, the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) participated in listening
sessions across the country to hear comments and suggestions from a
diverse array of stakeholders. In addition, the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services held a national eligibility conference attended
by States and other stakeholders and conducted numerous conference calls
and webinars to solicit public input. CMS also received hundreds of
comments on the proposed rule. While the final rule maintains much of
the framework laid out in the proposed rule, it also includes
improvements recommended by States, consumers, consumer organizations,
and the healthcare provider community. The final rule provides
additional protections for consumers, as well as additional
flexibilities and options for States.
Eligibility, enrollment and
renewal processes will be modernized, building on successful State
efforts that are already underway. During this next phase of
implementation, CMS will work closely with States and consumer groups to
share information and successful strategies already underway and to
provide technical assistance in a variety of areas.
The rule can be accessed at the Federal Register website at
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/03/23/2012-06560/eligibility-changes-under-the-affordable-care-act-medicaid-program.
The formal publication date will be March 23, 2012. In addition, all of
our materials related to the final regulation are available on the CMS
Medicaid.gov website on the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Eligibility
page.
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