Dear State Health Official:
This letter is to provide additional guidance on the implementation of the Children?s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), Public Law 111-3. CMS provided general information on the new option for States to provide CHIP coverage to targeted low-income pregnant women in its May 11, 2009 letter to State Medicaid Directors and State Health Officials (SHO #09-006). The attached set of answers to frequently asked questions are intended to provide further guidance on CMS policies regarding options for coverage of pregnant women under CHIP. In addition, a listing of the provisions with effective dates of February 4, 2009 and April 1, 2009 is provided.
We hope you will find this information helpful in your efforts to implement the provisions of CHIPRA. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Dianne E. Heffron, Acting Director, Family and Children?s Health Programs Group, who may be reached at (410) 786-5647.
Sincerely,
/s/
Cindy Mann
Director
Enclosure
Questions and Answers Related to Coverage of Pregnant Women in the Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
On May 11, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a letter to State Health Officials (SHO #09-006) describing the new option created by section 111 of the Children?s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) that permits States to extend CHIP-funded health insurance coverage to targeted low-income pregnant women. The letter and attachments can be accessed on the CMS Web site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SMDL/SHO/list.asp?listpage=9
The following questions and answers are intended to further clarify CMS? policies around coverage of pregnant women under CHIP and the parameters under which States may offer that coverage.
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