CMS Releases Medicaid HCBS Final Rule

January 13, 2014

On January 10, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule to ensure that Medicaid’s home and community-based services programs provide full access to the benefits of community living and offer services in the most integrated settings.

The rule, as part of the Affordable Care Act, supports the Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Living Initiative. According to an HHS release, this initiative was launched in 2009 to develop and implement innovative strategies to increase opportunities for Americans with disabilities and older adults to enjoy meaningful community living. Read n4a's July 2012 comments on the proposed rule.

n4a is currently analyzing the new regulations. In the meantime, CMS has released several fact sheets on the final rule that may be of interest: