CMS Medicaid Guidance Supported

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced its full support for new guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aimed at strengthening oversight, preventing fraud, and ensuring the integrity of the Medicaid program. As part of this effort, DHHS will fully comply with CMS requests to accelerate provider revalidation activities and develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy to ensure only qualified and legitimate providers participate in Medicaid.

In its letter to states, CMS called for immediate action to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen Medicaid provider screening and enrollment protocols, with an emphasis on strategies to enhance screening of high-risk Medicaid providers. States are expected to notify CMS of their plans for revalidation of high-risk providers within the next 10 days. CMS also directed states to submit a comprehensive two-year plan outlining enhanced oversight measures, improved data accuracy, and stronger program integrity safeguards for provider screening. These steps are part of a broader federal-state partnership designed to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure Medicaid resources are used appropriately.