CMS Issues Medicaid Guidance on State Approaches to Opioid Crisis

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued guidance on designing state approaches to covering treatment services for Medicaid-eligible infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. “Through discussions with states, we have recognized their growing challenge in providing treatment services to the expanding number of infants with NAS,” said Tim Hill, acting director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. “We have also recognized that states may not be fully aware of available options under Medicaid that can play a critical role in the care of these infants, as well as the limitations on Medicaid coverage.” In addition, CMS issued a letter to state Medicaid directors on funding authorities that may support health information technology efforts to address the opioid crisis.