CIB: New State Flexibilities and Requirements regarding Alternative Benefit Plans (ABP) and Essential Health Benefits (EHB)

Today, CMS is issuing an Informational Bulletin to inform states about new flexibilities for defining essential health benefits (EHB) in Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plans (ABP) effective January 1, 2020. The bulletin explains three new options available to states when choosing the benchmark plans used to define EHB in its ABP. States with existing ABPs may continue to use the benchmark plan they currently use to define EHB for ABPs, but states selecting new benchmark plans to define EHB for ABPs are required to use one of the new options beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The bulletin also provides a reminder to states on state plan amendment (SPA) submissions and ABP public notice requirements.

• CIB: New State Flexibilities and Requirements regarding Alternative Benefit Plans (ABP) and Essential Health Benefits (EHB)