12 Jan CMS launches Medicaid IT online resource, highlights state opportunities
The site hopes support states’ transition from outdated legacy systems to industry-proven standards.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has launched an online resource to support states’ efforts to update outdated IT systems, Andy Slavitt, CMS’ acting administrator, announced on Monday.
Through the resource, private sector companies can identify opportunities to participate in Medicaid investments. The site places all Medicaid procurement sites and open state Medicaid IT proposals in one place, which makes it easy for IT vendors to find.
Officials can also view state guidance documents for a new system module certification process through the site. There’s also a form asking industry, state, consumer and private sector IT vendors to provide advice on the best ways to shift into modernized IT solutions.
The resource seeks to support the permanent Medicaid funding garnered in the CMS 90/10 final rule passed in December, where the organization will match 90 percent of federal funds.
The goal, of course, is to ensure Medicaid coverage works as well as or better than other insurance programs.
New regulations require states to evolve outdated Medicaid legacy IT systems into those with industry-proven standards, Slavitt said. CMS is also shifting financial incentives away from custom development to expedite states’ IT timelines, reduce costs and increase the use of advanced IT.