CMS Authorizes States to Increase Income Eligibility for Medicaid HCBS

​CMS recently released guidance to state Medicaid Directors about a provision of the Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019 that allows states to adopt special financial methodologies for Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries who need home and community-based services (HCBS). The provision permits states to only apply certain income and/or asset disregards to individuals who need home and community-based services.

This new option permits states to adopt higher effective income and resource eligibility standards for people who need HCBS, either for all such individuals or for a particular cohort of such individuals determined by the state.
 
This authority is currently in effect and CMS is available to provide technical assistance to any state wishing to adopt the authority.
 
Click here for details.