CMS Medicaid Rule Gives Flexibility In Designing Programs

CMS on Wednesday published a final Medicaid rule that gives states the option of offering Medicaid coverage that is equal in value to one of four "benchmark" plans, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Benchmark plans include the standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO service benefit plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, state employee health coverage or coverage approved by the HHS secretary. The final rule also grants states the ability to pay a portion of an employee premium so that the worker could afford employer coverage, CMS said.

Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said, "This new rule recognizes that states are in the best position to design plans that provide Medicaid beneficiaries better health care for the same or even lower cost" (CQ HealthBeat, 12/3).

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