The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity that provides State Medicaid agencies with information to apply for planning grants that will aid in the treatment and recovery of substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder (OUD). Fighting the opioid epidemic is one of CMS’s top priorities, and the planning grants are an important step in that effort.
The planning grants are intended to increase the capacity of Medicaid providers to deliver SUD treatment or recovery services through an ongoing assessment of the SUD treatment needs of the State; recruitment, training, and technical assistance for Medicaid providers that offer SUD treatment or recovery services; and improved reimbursement for and expansion of the number or treatment capacity of Medicaid providers.
To apply, State Medicaid agencies are required to submit an 18-month proposal by August 9 to increase the capacity of Medicaid providers throughout the State and quickly deliver SUD treatment or recovery services within local communities. CMS will review all of the applications and select at least 10 proposals, with awards totaling $50,000,000.
The application for planning grants is the first step CMS is taking in implementing section 1003 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which is a comprehensive bill that tackles multiple aspects of the epidemic including treatment, prevention, recovery and enforcement. Upon completion of the planning phase, up to 5 states will be selected to carry out a subsequent 36-month demonstration.
Learn more about this funding opportunity.
The required Letter of Intent is due July 18, 2019.
The Application is due August 9, 2019.