CMS Releases Guidance for Alien Payment Under MMA Section 1101

Summary

Action:

On May 9, 2005, CMS issued its final guidance for implementation of MMA Section 1011, which provides for funding in the amount of $250 million per year to cover the otherwise uncompensated costs of emergency care provided to undocumented aliens and certain other aliens by hospitals, physicians and ambulance providers.

Impact:

The guidance describes covered services, eligible patients and the procedures to be used by providers to enroll in the program and submit claims. It also describes how payment amounts will be calculated and distributed.

Effective Date:

Once CMS designates a contractor, eligible providers can begin submitting enrollment applications. Claims for services provided on and after May 10, 2005 can be submitted thirty days after enrollment.