DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-26-12 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 
 
Center for Medicaid, CHIP and Survey & Certification 
 
CMCS Informational Bulletin 
 
  
DATE:  March 16, 2012 
 
FROM:  Cindy Mann, Director 
  Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services 
 
SUBJECT:  Affordable Care Act  Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility Final Rule    
 
We are pleased to announce that today, CMS put on display at the Federal Register, final 
regulations implementing the provisions of the Affordable Care Act related to eligibility and 
enrollment for Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Following the 
issuance of the proposed rule on August 17, 2011, the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) participated in listening sessions across the country to hear comments and 
suggestions from a diverse array of stakeholders.  In addition, CMS held a national eligibility 
conference for States and other stakeholders and conducted numerous conference calls and 
webinars to solicit public input. We received over 800 comments on the proposed rule.  
 
While the final rule maintains much of the framework laid out in the proposed rule, it also 
includes improvements recommended by States, consumer organizations, and the health care 
provider community.  The final rule provides additional protections for consumers, as well as 
additional flexibilities and options for States.  The rule can be accessed today on display at the 
Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/03/23/2012-
06560/eligibility-changes-under-the-affordable-care-act-medicaid-program.  The formal 
publication date will be March 23, 2012.  In addition, all of our materials related to the final 
regulation are available on our Medicaid.gov website on the Affordable Care Act Medicaid 
Eligibility page: 
     
  Fact Sheet:  Assuring Access to Affordable Coverage:  Medicaid and the Childrens 
Health Insurance Program Final Rule  
  Section-by-Section Summary: Comparison of the Medicaid Eligibility NPRM to the 
Final Rule 
  Press Release 
 
Webinar Series 
 
In an effort to provide additional information about this final rule, CMCS will be hosting a series 
of webinars over the next several weeks that will focus on specific topics covered in the 
regulation.  The schedule for these 90-minute webinars is below: 
 
  March 22, 2012, 1:30 p.m. EST: Overview of the Final Rule 
    March 29, 3:00 p.m. EST:  MAGI methods and Household Scenarios 
  April 5, 3:00 p.m. EST:  Coordination across Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Insurance 
Exchanges 
  April 19, 3:00 p.m. EST:  Application and Verification process, and ensuring 
accessibility for individuals with disabilities and those who are limited English proficient  
  April 26, 3:00 p.m. EST:  MAGI Screening and Renewals 
  May 10, 3:00 p.m. EST:  Eligibility Final Rule Wrap-up 
 
Announcements for each webinar along with registration information will be circulated in 
advance of the event.    
 
We hope you will find this information helpful.  We look forward to our continuing work with 
States and all of our partners in implementing the Affordable Care Act.