The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has notified states that they have the option of using an additional year (through March 31, 2025) to spend the funding made available by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to enhance, expand, and strengthen Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
This option would not change the amount of funding available to support the initiatives detailed in AHCCCS’ ARP HCBS spending plan. It would
simply extend the time that the agency has to expend the available funding.
AHCCCS is currently exploring the option made available by CMS to determine whether extending the spending time frame is in the best interest of members and providers.
American Rescue Plan Allocations
AHCCCS is working to implement the recently passed federal law, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). ARPA is an emergency legislative package to fund vaccinations, provide immediate, direct relief to families impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, and support struggling communities.
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Home and Community Based Services Enhanced Federal Match
The Home and Community Based Services Enhanced Federal Match provision allows states to supplement, not supplant, existing funding. States must submit initial HCBS spending plans to CMS by July 12, 2021 to meet federal guidance and timelines. Due to ongoing stakeholder input, AHCCCS will post the draft spending plan draft no later than July 12, 2021. The draft spending plan is subject to CMS approval. AHCCCS is permitted to update its initial draft spending plan through the quarterly spending plan submission requirement based on Arizona's needs.
Services Eligible to Claim the ARPA 10 Percent FMAP Increase
- Rehabilitative Services (including mental health and substance use disorder services)
- Private Duty Nursing
- Alternative Benefit Plans
- Home Health Care
- Personal Care Services
- Self-Directed Personal Care Services
- Case Management
- School Based Services
The funding is short-term and must be spent by March 31, 2024 (3 years). These efforts cannot negatively impact current HCBS; it can only add programs, services, and activities that are completed by March 2024 or have an additional plan for funding or sustainability beyond March 2024.
Stakeholder Meetings
Topic: ARPA HCBS Plan Submission
- Wednesday, July 7, 5:00 p.m. (AZ/ MST)
Materials: - Stakeholder Feedback Session ARPA HCBS Next Steps, 07/07/2021
Topic: Introduction of HCBS Funding Opportunity
- Monday, June 7, 2021, 5:00 p.m. (AZ/MST)
Materials: - June 7 slide deck
- June 7 meeting flyer
ARPA HCBS Spending Plan
- ARPA HCBS Spending Plan (Revised 01/19/2022)
This updated plan reflects changes to be submitted to CMS in the quarterly report due prior to 02/01/2022.
- CMS ARPA HCBS Conditional Approval 1/19/2022
- Provider Payment Information (Revised 05/20/2022)
SAMHSA Block Grants to Address Addiction, Mental Health Crisis
ARPA also allocated additional SAMHSA Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Block Grant funding of a total of $71 million to Arizona. SAMHSA encourages states to consider a focus on support of a behavioral health crisis continuum.
See “Recent Award Decisions” on the Grants web page for the status of decisions.
ARPA MHBG/SABG Spending Plan
Stakeholder Meetings
Topic: Introduction of SAMHSA Grant Funding Opportunity
- Thursday, June 17, 2021, 5:00 p.m. (AZ/Pacific time)
Register in advance for this webinar at: https://ahcccs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YJhUgr4tRZilCSjWsfsrfg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Materials: - ARPA Block Grant Forum Presentation
- SAMHSA MHBG and SABG Guidance Letter
- ARPA SAMHSA Grants Forum Flyer
Mobile-Crisis Services Grant Funding
ARPA authorizes $15 million for state planning grants to be awarded by the HHS Secretary as soon as practicable. It also creates a state option to cover community-based mobile crisis intervention services with 85 percent federal matching funds.
Status
AHCCCS has analyzed a recent State Health Official Letter (#21-008), which provided federal guidance on the increased FMAP for mobile crisis intervention services available under ARPA. We are currently in discussions with federal partners on how best to address topics such as telehealth integration and the size of mobile crisis intervention teams.
Public Input Welcomed
AHCCCS welcomes public input on proposed ARPA spending plans. Submit comments by email to publicinput@azahcccs.gov.
Other ARPA Resources
- AHCCCS ARPA Provider Attestation
- American Rescue Plan Act
- Home and Community Based Services Section of American Rescue Plan (Section 9817)
- Guidance on Home and Community Based Services-Federal Guidance
- HHS Announcement for SAMHSA Block Grants
- SAMHSA Announcement for Grants to Address Addiction, Mental Health Crisis
- State Medicaid Director Letter MD #21-003 (SMD)