The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule in the Nov. 30 Federal Register that implements provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009. The final rule can be viewed in the Federal Register.

The final rule supports modernization of notices and appeals processes and the coordination of eligibility notices and appeals across insurance affordability programs. Other provisions complement the simplification of eligibility and enrollment, as well as the shift to MAGI-based financial methodologies, including coverage for former foster care youth, optional eligibility pathways, financial methodologies for medically needy individuals and verification of citizenship and immigration status.

CMS also published a complementary proposed rule, which is open for comment until Jan. 23, 2017, that would implement provisions of the Medicaid statute pertaining to eligibility and appeals as required under the ACA. These provisions include changes to promote modernization and coordination of Medicaid appeals processes with other healthcare coverage programs under the ACA, as well as technical and minor modifications to delegations of eligibility determinations and appeals. The proposed rule is also available to read in the Federal Register.