December 3, 2008

Medicaid Program; State Flexibility for Medicaid Benefit Packages; Final Rule

This final rule will implement provisions of section 6044 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which amends the Social Security Act by adding a new section 1937 related to the coverage of medical assistance under approved State plans. It also provides States increased flexibility under an approved State plan to define the scope of covered medical assistance by offering coverage of benchmark or benchmark-equivalent benefit packages to certain Medicaid recipients. In addition, this final rule responds to public comments on the February 22, 2008, proposed rule that pertain to the State Medicaid benefit package provisions. These regulations are effective on February 2, 2009.