On March 22, 2019 CMS issued new guidance to State Medicaid Directors on implementation of the 2014 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) rule. The 2014 HCBS rule required states to scrutinize facilities, including an assisted living facilities or group homes, receiving HCBS funding to make sure they met certain standards. The 2014 rule aimed to define the characteristic of “community based” to move these settings and facilities away from the qualities of an “institution.” In May of 2017, CMS delayed implementation of the rule and in response to concerns regarding the transition process, a three year extension was granted. The transition period for states to ensure provider compliance with the criteria for settings in which a transition period applies has now been extended to March 17, 2022 during which states may work with all existing HCBS providers to complete their remediation and be validated as fully complying with the settings criteria. Not meeting these standards could mean loss of Medicaid funding.

The new CMS guidance, issued as an FAQ, defines a setting that is isolating individuals as a facility that limits any opportunities for patients and residents to interact with the broader community. Certain settings are presumed under the regulations to have the qualities of an institution:
Continue Reading CMS Issues New Guidance to States on Home and Community Based Services