CMS Rescinds Biden-Era Health-Related Social Needs Guidance

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On March 4, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) issued an (CIB) that rescinds prior Biden Administration guidance on Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN), including:

• (November 2023 CIB);
• , which CMS has referred to as the “Framework of Coverage of HRSN Services in Medicaid and CHIP” or the “HRSN Framework.” (Document released with the November 2023 CIB)
• (December 2024 CIB)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicates that it is rescinding the prior guidance in order to “evaluate policy options consistent with the Medicaid and CHIP program requirements and objectives.” The CIB further states that CMS will consider state applications to cover HRSN on a case-by-case basis to determine consistency with federal Medicaid statute and regulations, without regard to the rescinded HRSN guidance. While the CIB itself does not directly address prior state Section 1115 waivers approved under this Biden-era guidance, CMCS in its release said that: “Rescinding this guidance does not negate existing approvals.”

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