Letter from Cindy Mann to Julie Weinburg re: Centennial Care

From Albuquerque Area IHS:

forwarded letter from Cindy Mann CMS Director

"Dear Tribal Leader,

 

This is a follow up to the tribal consultations held between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 27, 2012 and then on January 23, 2013, with the State of New Mexico.  Please see the attached letter to Julie Weinberg, Director, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Department of Human Services,  confirming CMS’s support for New Mexico’s request for a section 1115 demonstration waiver to implement Centennial Care.

 

I am pleased to inform you that the State of New Mexico has agreed to some important provisions as part of their proposal.  Of particular importance is that the waiver will not impose any new requirement for Native Americans to enroll in managed care. Native American Medicaid beneficiaries will have the opportunity to voluntarily opt-in to managed care. The terms and conditions will promote and encourage voluntary enrollment but there will be no expansion of mandatory managed care enrollment for Native Americans. Native American beneficiaries who meet nursing facility level of care or who are dually eligible will continue to be required to enroll in managed care as is the case today under CoLTS.   

 

Thank you for working with the State and CMS to ensure that the wavier embraces the concerns of the tribal community. We value your input and believe that your efforts better help us serve our program beneficiaries through improving health outcomes in tribal communities. 

 

Best,

Cindy Mann

Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services"