CMS releases guidance on optional Medicaid home health benefit for children

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday released guidance on an optional home health services benefit for Medicaid-eligible children with medically complex conditions effective Oct. 1 under the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019. Section 1945A of the Act gives states the option to cover care coordination, care management, and patient and family support services for these children. States with approved Medicaid state plan amendments to cover the benefit will receive a temporary 15-percentage-point increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for these services.