CMS Releases Companion Guide to Access Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a companion guide to the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services (Access) Final Rule. The new guide focuses on Documentation of Access to Care and Service Payment Rates, which is specific to fee-for-service (FFS) delivery systems and rates.

Key aspects covered in the companion guide include:

• Documentation of Access to Care: Detailed guidelines on how states can document access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries under the fee-for-service model.
• Service Payment Rates: Instructions on documenting and ensuring adequate service payment rates.
• State Requirements: Clarification on when and how states need to comply with these provisions to meet the 2024 Access Final Rule standards.

ANCOR members can find the companion guide and more information on the Access Rule at ANCOR’s Access Rule Resource Center.