| Policy/Flexibility |
Description |
Start Date |
End Date |
| Enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) |
A temporary 6.2 percentage point increase in the regular federal matching rate. To receive the enhanced match states must comply with maintenance of eligibility requirements. |
January 1, 2020 |
End of the quarter in which the PHE ends |
| Continuous Coverage Requirement |
Requires states to provide continuous eligibility for those enrolled prior to or during the emergency, regardless of changes in circumstances, unless the individual requests termination or ceases to be a resident. |
March 18, 2020 |
End of the month in which the PHE ends |
| Other Maintenance of Eligibility (MOE) Provisions |
States cannot implement more restrictive eligibility policies or procedures and states cannot increase Medicaid premiums. States also must cover coronavirus testing and COVID-19 treatment without cost-sharing. States also cannot increase political subdivisions’ contributions to the non-federal share of Medicaid costs. |
January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2020 (for political subdivision contributions) |
End of the quarter in which the PHE ends |
| Disaster-Relief SPA |
Allows states to make temporary changes to address eligibility, enrollment, premiums, cost-sharing, benefits, payments, and other policies differing from their approved state plan during the COVID-19 emergency. States may not make changes that restrict or limit payment, services, or eligibility or otherwise burden beneficiaries and providers. |
January 1, 2020 (using Section 1135 waiver authority) or later date elected by state |
End of public health emergency or earlier date elected by state |
| Traditional SPA |
Allows states to amend their Medicaid state plans, which govern program elements such as coverage groups, covered services, provider reimbursement methodologies, and administrative activities. |
1st day of quarter in which SPA is submitted to CMS or later date elected by state |
Continues until subsequently amended or terminated |
| Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver |
Allows states to operate Medicaid programs without regard to specific statutory or regulatory provisions to furnish medical assistance in a manner intended to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the health, safety, and welfare of individuals and providers who may be affected by COVID-19. |
March 1, 2020 or later date elected by state and approved by CMS |
60 days after public health emergency ends or earlier date approved by CMS |
