DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 
HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare 
& Medicaid Services 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-26-12 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 
 
 
CMCS Informational Bulletin  
 
DATE:    July 24, 2015  
 
FROM:    Vikki Wachino 
Director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services  
 
Patrick Conway 
    Deputy Administrator for Innovation & Quality, CMS Chief Medical Officer 
 
    Tim Engelhardt 
    Acting Director, Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office 
 
    Jackie Garner 
    Administrator, Consortium for Medicaid and Childrens Health Operations 
 
SUBJECT:   Establishing SOTA 2.0 as a Coordinated Point of Contact for States 
 
States, as well as the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and the National 
Governors Association (NGA), have suggested that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services (CMS) improve its Medicaid-related intra-agency and interagency communication. The 
purpose of this Informational Bulletin is to update states and our partners about CMS efforts to 
improve communication and coordination by creating a coordinated point of contact for states 
within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS).  
 
This new approach, SOTA 2.0, expands the scope of CMCS existing State Operations and 
Technical Assistance (SOTA) teams to encompass each states Medicaid-related work across 
CMS. This will establish for each state a central point of contact that coordinates and tracks 
Medicaid issues within CMCS and with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation 
(CMMI), the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO), the Center for Consumer 
Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), and the Center for Program Integrity (CPI).  
 
SOTA 2.0s goal is to provide a smoother and more efficient experience for states when working 
across CMS on Medicaid-related issues. By creating a team that will organize itself around a 
state and can be accountable to them, we believe that the new SOTA 2.0 structure will provide 
states a more seamless experience for states as they work with CMS. 
 
In spring 2012, the SOTA initiative was created to work through policy and operational changes 
required in Medicaid by the Affordable Care Act. The multidisciplinary SOTA teams worked to 
address questions from and disseminate information to states. CMS is building on this successful 
process and expanding the scope of the issues that these teams address by establishing SOTA 
2.0. 
  Page 2  CMCS Informational Bulletin 
SOTA 2.0 teams, which will be co-led by central and regional office staff, will be responsible for 
coordinating, tracking, and monitoring progress on Medicaid-related issues between states and 
CMS. SOTA 2.0 will also serve as a vehicle to disseminate outcomes from the Medicaid 
Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP) and Medicaid and CHIP Learning Collaboratives. States 
can expect that SOTA 2.0 co-leads are aware of major pieces of business (waiver renewals, State 
Innovation Model (SIM) activities, and demonstrations to integrate care for dual eligible 
beneficiaries) that each state has at CMS and identifying relationships between them.  
 
SOTA 2.0 can be used as a states first point of contact when trying to navigate or obtain CMS 
assistance on broad delivery system reform efforts. It can also serve as an entry point to CMS 
when a new or undefined topic arises.  
 
Standing SOTA calls can still be used for ongoing eligibility and enrollment issues but also to 
touch base and share information about other topics as well. SOTA 2.0 co-leads can also arrange 
for subject matter experts to attend SOTA standing calls if a state would like a deep dive on a 
particular subject. This will be particularly useful for states on issues that cut across multiple 
CMCS components and other federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 
 
Each state will have SOTA 2.0 co-leads  one person from the CMS Central Office and one 
person from the local CMS Regional Office. The day-to-day responsibilities of the SOTA 2.0 co-
leads will be to:   
  Coordinate on behalf of states, and be accountable to them; 
  Coordinate among CMCS and other CMS components and, when appropriate, participate 
in interagency discussions regarding state issues; and  
  Coordinate CMCS ownership of issues.  
 
In short, SOTA 2.0 can be considered a hub and a resource of information and communication 
as it relates to Medicaid-related state issues at CMS. 
 
Below are examples of when states might reach out to their SOTA 2.0 co-leads as a first contact: 
  A state is interested in understanding the federal authority issues involved with 
establishing a shared savings or pay for performance initiative; or is interested in 
obtaining technical assistance to do so.  
  Exploration of multifaceted Medicaid initiatives that may involve several CMS 
components;  
  Medicaid expansion efforts; and  
  Proposals that do not fit into a single Medicaid authority or could be executed under 
multiple authorities. 
 
SOTA 2.0 will not replace day-to-day program management needs and requirements, such as 
state plan amendment submissions or grant reporting. Likewise, states with SIM grants should 
continue to consider SIM project officers as their primary contacts for SIM-related technical 
assistance needs, and states with Medicare-Medicaid financial alignment model demonstrations 
will continue to have a dedicated state lead within MMCO.  
  Page 3  CMCS Informational Bulletin 
Attached is a list of the SOTA 2.0 co-leads for each state. Additional members of the SOTA 
team will fluctuate based on state needs but might include staff from other CMCS components, 
CCIIO, CMMI, MMCO, and CPI as needed.    
 
For questions or more information about SOTA 2.0 efforts, please contact Carol Backstrom at 
carol.backstrom@cms.hhs.gov.   
   
List of SOTA 2.0 Co-Leads 
Robin Preston (robin.preston@cms.hhs.gov), Division Director, State and Stakeholder Relations 
Verlon Johnson (verlon.johnson@cms.hhs.gov), Regional Director, Consortium for Medicaid & 
Childrens Health Insurance Program 
 
 State  Regional Office Lead  Central Office Lead 
Alice Hogan  Iris Allen 
Alabama 
Alice.Hogan@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov  
Treva Wornath  Jason Berry 
Alaska 
Treva.Wornath@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov  
Audrey Cassidy / Tanya Pulley 
Peter Banks 
American Samoa  Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov / 
Peter.Banks@cms.hhs.gov  
Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Brian Zolynas  Audrey Cassidy  
Arizona 
Brian.Zolynas@cms.hhs.gov  Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Lynn Ward  Jason Berry  
Arkansas 
Lynn.Ward@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Cheryl Young  Audrey Cassidy  
California 
Cheryl.Young@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Curtis Volesky/Trinia Hunt/ 
Carl Piekarski  Lisa Jones/Falecia Smith 
Colorado  Curtis.Volesky@cms.hhs.gov /  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Trinia.Hunt@cms.hhs.gov /  Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Carl.Piekarski@cms.hhs.gov  
Lisa Jones/Tanya Pulley 
Marie DiMartino 
Connecticut  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Marie.DiMartino@cms.hhs.gov  
Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Mike Cleary  Ethan Moore 
Delaware 
Michael.Cleary@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov  
Alice Robinson-Penn  Ethan Moore  
District of Columbia 
Alice.Robinson-Pin@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Etta Hawkins  Iris Allen 
Florida 
Etta.Hawkins@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Tandra Hodges  Iris Allen 
Georgia 
Tandra.Hodges@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Peter Banks  Audrey Cassidy 
Guam 
Peter.Banks@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Christy Bonstelle  Audrey Cassidy 
Hawaii 
Christly.Bonstelle@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Tom Couch  Jason Berry  
Idaho 
Thomas.Counch@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Courtenay Savage 
Illinois  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Courtenay.Savage@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov    
 State  Regional Office Lead  Central Office Lead 
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Elizabeth Lewis 
Indiana  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Elizabeth.Lewis@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Sandra Levels  Tanya Pulley 
Iowa 
Sandra.Levels@cms.hhs.gov   Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Karen Hatcher  Tanya Pulley 
Kansas 
Karen.Hatcher@cms.hhs.gov   Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Melanie Benning  Iris Allen 
Kentucky 
Melanie.Benning@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Ford Blunt  Jason Berry  
Louisiana 
Ford.Blunt@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Aimee Campbell-O'Connor  Lisa Jones/Tanya Pulley 
Maine  Aimee.Campbell- Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
OConnor@cms.hhs.gov    Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Andrea Cunningham  Ethan Moore 
Maryland 
Andrea.Cunningham@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Lisa Jones/Tanya Pulley 
Julie McCarthy 
Massachusetts  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Julie.McCarthy@cms.hhs.gov  
Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Leslie Campbell 
Michigan  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Leslie.Campbell@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Sandra Porter 
Minnesota  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Sandra.Porter@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Tandra Hodges  Iris Allen 
Mississippi 
Tandra.Hodges@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Deborah Read  Tanya Pulley 
Missouri 
Deborah.Read@cms.hhs.gov   Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Cindy Smith  Ethan Moore 
Montana 
Cindy.Smith@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Peter Banks  Tanya Pulley 
N. Mariana Islands 
Peter.Banks@cms.hhs.gov   Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Benton Williams  Tanya Pulley 
Nebraska 
Benton.Williams@cms.hhs.gov   Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Peter Banks  Audrey Cassidy Audrey Cassidy 
Nevada 
Peter.Banks@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Lisa Jones/Robin Preston 
Joyce Butterworth 
New Hampshire  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Joyce.Butterworth@cms.hhs.gov  
Robin.Preston@cms.hhs.gov  
Nicole McKnight  Audrey Cassidy 
New Jersey 
Nicole.McKnight@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Stacey Shuman  Jason Berry 
New Mexico 
Stacey.Shuman@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov   
 State  Regional Office Lead  Central Office Lead 
Nicole McKnight  Audrey Cassidy 
New York 
Nicole.McKnight@cms.hhs.gov   Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Elaine Elmore  Iris Allen 
North Carolina 
Elaine.Elmore@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Kristin Michel  Ethan Moore 
North Dakota 
Kristin.Michel@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Christine Davidson 
Ohio  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Christine.Davidson@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Suzette Seng  Jason Berry Jason Berry 
Oklahoma 
Suzette.Seng@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Gary Ashby  Jason Berry Jason Berry 
Oregon 
Gary.Ashby@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Mary McKeon  Ethan Moore Ethan Moore 
Pennsylvania 
Mary.McKeon@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Audrey Cassidy/Tanya  Pulley 
Ivelisse Salce 
Puerto Rico  Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov / 
Ivelisse.Salce@cms.hhs.gov  
Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Lisa Jones/Robin Preston 
Lynn DelVecchio 
Rhode Island  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Lynn.Delvecchio@cms.hhs.gov  
Robin.Preston@cms.hhs.gov  
Maria Drake  Iris Allen 
South Carolina 
Maria.Drake@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Laurie Jensen  Ethan Moore 
South Dakota 
Laurie.Jensen@cms.hhs.gov    Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Kenni Howard  Iris Allen 
Tennessee 
Kenni.Howard@cms.hhs.gov   Iris.Allen@cms.hhs.gov 
Cheryl Rupley  Jason Berry Jason Berry 
Texas 
Cheryl.Rupley@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Audrey Cassidy/Tanya Pulley 
Ivelisse Salce 
US Virgin Islands  Audrey.Cassidy@cms.hhs.gov 
Ivelisse.Salce@cms.hhs.gov  
/Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Lisa Jones/Falecia Smith 
Mandy Strom 
Utah  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Mandy.Strom@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Lisa Jones/Tanya Pulley 
Tom Schenck 
Vermont  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Tom.Schenck@cms.hhs.gov  
Tanya.Pulley@cms.hhs.gov  
Peggi Kosherzenko  Ethan Moore 
Virginia 
Margaret.Kosherzenko@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov 
Rick Dawson  Jason Berry 
Washington 
Rick.Dawson@cms.hhs.gov   Jason.Berry@cms.hhs.gov 
Peggi Kosherzenko  Ethan Moore 
West Virginia 
Margaret.Kosherzenko@cms.hhs.gov   Ethan.Moore@cms.hhs.gov   
 State  Regional Office Lead  Central Office Lead 
Renee Frandson/Falecia Smith 
Charles Friedrich 
Wisconsin  Renee.Frandson@cms.hhs.gov / 
Charles.Friedrich@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov  
Lisa Jones/Falecia Smith 
Cindy Riddle 
Wyoming  Lisa.Jones@cms.hhs.gov / 
Cynthia.Riddle@cms.hhs.gov  
Falecia.Smith@cms.hhs.gov