CMS Issues More Guidance for States on Unwinding of Public Health Emergency

On January 27, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to state health officials noting the upcoming changes states should anticipate as a result of the passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2022 and the unwinding of certain Medicaid-related provisions from the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

The letter explains the key statutory changes, including:

• Allowing states to begin to terminate Medicaid enrollment of individuals who no longer meet Medicaid eligibility requirements on or after April 1, regardless of when the PHE is terminated
• Winding down the availability of the temporary federal match (FMAP) increase beginning April 1, gradually phasing down the increase until December 31, 2023
• Adding new reporting requirements
• Creating new enforcement authorities for CMS related to the new reporting requirements

For more information, read the full letter to state health officials.