Department of Health & Human Services 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-26-12 
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 
 
Center for Medicaid, CHIP, and Survey & Certification 
                     
SMDL# 10-009 
 
 
June 21, 2010 
 
 
        Re: Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) 
               
Dear State Medicaid Director: 
 
This letter provides guidance on implementing requirements pertaining to Section 3 of the 
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program Supplemental Funding Act of 2008 (the QI Funding Act). 
This law amended section 1903(r) of the Social Security Act (the Act) to require that States have 
eligibility determination systems that provide for data matching through the Public Assistance 
Reporting Information System (PARIS) project or any successor system.  PARIS is a system for 
matching data from certain public assistance programs, including State Medicaid programs, with 
selected Federal and State data for purposes of facilitating appropriate enrollment and retention 
in public programs.  This provision took effect on October 1, 2009. 
 
Background 
 
Initiated in 1993, PARIS is a set of computer matches which enables State public assistance 
agencies (SPAAs) and Federal agencies to share information about applicants for and recipients 
of certain benefits.  The project allows participating SPAAs to exchange their previous quarters 
eligibility files for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid programs.  Federal agencies such as the 
Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have likewise 
signed agreements to participate in PARIS.  
 
State public assistance agencies enroll in PARIS and sign one or more matching agreements 
which permit them to participate in quarterly matches of client eligibility and enrollment data 
files.  Under those agreements, in the months of February, May, August, and November of each 
year, SPAA applicant and recipient data files are transmitted to the DoD Defense Manpower 
Data Center.  There, the data files are processed and the results transmitted to participating 
SPAAs. 
 
PARIS is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of participating member States and the 
PARIS Project Director.  The Board supports SPAAs in developing plans, processes, techniques, 
and activities to maximize the technical abilities of systems and staff participating in PARIS. 
 
  Page 2  State Medicaid Director 
 
Effective October 1, 2009, based on the provisions of the QI Funding Act, all States are required 
to sign an agreement to participate in PARIS as a condition of receiving Medicaid funding for 
automated data systems (including the Medicaid Management Information System).  Prior to 
passage of the QI Funding Act, participation in the PARIS project was voluntary.  PARIS is still 
a voluntary program with respect to SNAP and TANF.   
 
States can use the PARIS data match to ensure that individuals enrolled in Medicaid or other 
public assistance benefits in one State are not receiving duplicate benefits based on simultaneous 
enrollment in the Medicaid program or other public benefit programs in another State.  In certain 
circumstances, PARIS may also be used as a tool to identify individuals who have not applied 
for Medicaid coverage, but who may be eligible based on their income.   
 
States may choose to match their SPAA data against other States Medicaid, TANF, and/or 
SNAP program data through the PARIS interstate match.  The interstate match can also provide 
States with information about applicants for and recipients of workers compensation and child 
care benefits.  States may also participate in one or more matches with Federal agency data (e.g., 
data provided by the VA or DoD). 
 
The VA match provides States with information on the eligibility of SPAA applicants and 
recipients for benefits under the Federal Veterans programs.  For example, the Washington State 
Department of Social and Health Services documented Medicaid program savings of $8.2 
million during State fiscal years 2006 through 2009, which resulted from the use of PARIS in 
identifying veterans and their dependents and appropriate public assistance and VA benefits for 
which they are eligible.  
  
In order to demonstrate compliance with the new requirements in section 1903(r) of the Act, 
each State must amend its Medicaid State plan to document its participation in PARIS.  For your 
convenience, until a State plan preprint page is approved through the Paperwork Reduction Act 
process, we are enclosing a template that States may with to use for such a State plan 
amendment.  The template would add a subsection c to Part 4.32, Income and Eligibility 
Verification System, and would amend Enclosure #2, Section 4.32(c) by adding the following 
language:   
 
  The State has an eligibility determination system that provides for data matching through 
  the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS), or any successor system, 
  including matching with medical assistance programs operated by other States.  The 
  information that is requested will be exchanged with States and other entities legally 
  entitled to verify title XIX applicants and individuals eligible for covered title XIX 
  services consistent with applicable PARIS agreements. 
 
  Page 3  State Medicaid Director 
 
Thank you for your attention this matter. We look forward to our continuing work together to 
assure that the Medicaid program operates at the highest level of integrity while also ensuring 
that individuals who are eligible for Medicaid/CHIP and other public programs have the 
opportunity to enroll and receive needed services. If you have any questions about the PARIS 
system, please contact Mr. George Patterson, at 410-786-4609 or 
george.patterson@cms.hhs.gov. 
 
            Sincerely, 
 
            \s\ 
 
            Cindy Mann 
            Director 
 
Enclosure 
 
cc: 
CMS Regional Administrators 
 
CMS Associate Regional Administrators  
Division of Medicaid and Childrens Health 
 
Ann C. Kohler 
NASMD Executive Director 
American Public Human Services Association 
 
Joy Wilson 
Director, Health Committee 
National Governors Association 
 
Matt Salo 
Director of Health Legislation 
National Governors Association 
 
Debra Miller 
Director for Health Policy 
Council of State Governments  
 
Christine Evans, M.P.H. 
Director, Government Relations 
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials 
 
Alan R. Weil, J.D., M.P.P. 
Executive Director 
National Academy for State Health Policy 
 
  Page 4  State Medicaid Director 
 
DRAFT       DRAFT      DRAFT 
 
 
STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT  
   
   
State:____________________________   Medical Assistance Program  
 
Transmittal Number:       Effective:  
4.32 Income and Eligibility Verification System  
The Medicaid agency has established a system for income and eligibility verification in 
accordance with the requirements of 42 CFR 435.940 through 435.960. (Section 1137 of the 
Act and 42 CFR 435.940 through 435.960)  
(c) ATTACHMENT 4.32-A describes in accordance with 42 CFR 435.948(a)(6) the 
information that will be requested in order to verify eligibility or the correct payment 
amount and the agencies and the State(s) from which that information will be requested.  
 
The State has an eligibility determination system that provides for data matching through 
the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS), or any successor system, 
including matching with medical assistance programs operated by other States.  The 
information that is requested will be exchanged with States and other entities legally 
entitled to verify title XIX applicants and individuals eligible for covered title XIX 
services consistent with applicable PARIS agreements. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
OMB Approval Number:            Revision Number: