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 has decided to partially extend the spending time frame, through September 30, 2024, to align with the State Contract Year.
AHCCCS is working to implement the recently passed federal law, American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. ARP 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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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.
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.
Topic: ARP HCBS Plan Submission
Topic: Introduction of HCBS Funding Opportunity
ARP 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.
Topic: Introduction of SAMHSA Grant Funding Opportunity
ARP 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.
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 ARP. 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.
AHCCCS welcomes public input on proposed ARP spending plans. Submit comments by email to publicinput@azahcccs.gov.
