CMS Provides H1N1 Guidance to State Medicaid and CHIP Officials - September 28, 2009

The Center for Medicaid and State Operations issued a letter to state health officials on September 24, 2009, urging states to make changes to, and in some cases expand, their Medicaid and CHIP programs to assure access to the H1N1 vaccine and services necessary to treat H1N1. Of particular note, the letter states that CMS will be offering an expedited state plan amendment review/approval process to accommodate modifications related to H1N1, and it encourages states to amend their state plans to provide a period of presumptive eligibility for children and pregnant women to assure prompt diagnosis and treatment of H1N1. The letter also clarifies that H1N1-related services should be covered as emergency Medicaid services, urges states to review their vaccine administration fees so they are sufficient to provide broad access to the vaccine, and encourages states to permit "roster billing," under which a provider may submit one claim for all vaccines given on one day.