Background
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 was signed into law on March 11, 2021. Section 9817 of ARPA provides states with a temporary ten (10) percentage point increase to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). HCBS is defined broadly in the statute and guidance to include home health, 1915(c) waivers, 1915(i) programs as well as services provided under the rehabilitative services option. States must use funds equivalent to the amount of federal funds attributable to the increased FMAP to implement activities that enhance, expand, or strengthen Medicaid HCBS.
States were required to submit a spending plan and narrative that describe planned enhancement activities to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review by July 12, 2021. Mississippi’s initial plan was submitted and is linked under Resources below.
Public Input
DOM is committed to engaging stakeholders on Mississippi’s path forward. Prior to submission of the initial plan, we received feedback from waiver operating agencies, providers, and vendors. The submitted plan creates a framework for use of the ARPA savings but there will be significant details for DOM to develop to put these components in place, which will allow time for additional stakeholder feedback and input. We will be planning additional engagement opportunities in the coming weeks to dive deeper into the planning and implementation of identified initiatives.
Stakeholders interested in submitting written comments, recommendations, or suggestions may submit them to:
Long Term Services and Supports
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Walter Sillers Building, Suite 1000
550 High Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Email: LTSSPrograms@medicaid.ms.gov
1915(c) Waiver Direct Care Provider One Time Supplemental Payment
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) will be issuing one-time supplemental payments to eligible 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Direct Care Workforce providers to increase access to HCBS by stabilizing and strengthening the HCBS workforce and building provider capacity to meet the needs of individuals receiving HCBS in these programs. This opportunity is possible through federal savings available under Mississippi’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Section 9817 HCBS Spending Plan and authorized through a CMS approved Appendix K. For more information on who qualifies and how to apply for this payment, please refer to the links below.
Completed attestations must be emailed to DOM at LTSSPrograms@medicaid.ms.gov no later than 8/15/2022 to receive a supplemental payment.
- ARPA HCBS DCW One Time Payment Announcement
- ARPA HCBS DCW One Time Supplemental Payment Provider Attestation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ARPA HCBS DCW One Time Supplemental Payment Tracking Tool (Excel Version)
- ARPA HCBS DCW One Time Supplemental Payment Tracking Tool (GoogleDoc Version)
- ARPA HCBS DCW One Time Supplemental Payment Tracking Tool Training
Resources
- State Medicaid Director Letter
- MS ARPR HCBS Spending Plan Submitted July 12, 2021
- CMS Partial Approval of Mississippi’s 9817 Spending Plan – September 30, 2021
- MS Response to CMS Partial Approval Submitted October 27, 2021
- MS ARPA Section 9817 1st Quarterly Spending Plan & Narrative Update Submitted October 27, 2021
- ARPA Section 9817 HCBS Enhancement Opportunities
- MS ARPA Section 9817 2nd Quarterly Spending Plan & Narrative Update Submitted January 31, 2022
- CMS Conditional Approval of Mississippi’s 9817 Spending Plan – January 31, 2022
