MEDICAID RELATED COVID-19 ISSUES

Recently, CMS released guidance to states on Medicaid-related COVID-19 issues. Click here to access a copy of this document.

Although the guidance covers a range of topics, including implementation of coverage for COVID-related services for the uninsured and benefits and cost sharing for COVID-19-related testing and diagnostic services, below we have highlighted one item that will become important to long term care providers:

Treatment of Relief Payments in CARES Act:
CMS clarifies that the $1,200 relief payments eligible Medicaid beneficiaries will receive from the CARES Act may not be counted as income when making Medicaid eligibility determinations. In addition, these payments may not be counted as resources for 12 months (Question 54).