GenIC #64 (New): Federal Meta-Analysis Support: Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstrations

Attachment 1.a. Email from CMS to State Medicaid Director Introducing RTI Evaluation

To: Director State Medicaid Agency

CC: RTI SUD Team Lead

Subject: RTI International Evaluation of Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstrations

Dear [State Medicaid Director], 

 

On [DATE], the State of [STATE] received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a section 1115 substance use disorder (SUD) demonstration. States with section 1115 SUD demonstrations are required to conduct independent evaluations of their demonstrations and report monitoring data regularly. To complement individual state evaluations and monitoring, the CMS has contracted with RTI International to conduct a meta-evaluation of SUD demonstrations. This evaluation will look across states with SUD demonstrations to understand the demonstrations’ effectiveness, and how variations in state demonstration features and the context in which demonstrations are implemented lead to differences in effectiveness.  CMS is requesting that you participate in the activities described below to support the meta-evaluation.

As an initial step in its evaluation, RTI will conduct a telephone interview with the state Medicaid director (or state staff designee) to confirm and clarify information in the state’s waiver application, state special terms and conditions, and implementation plan. The purpose of the first interview is to clarify and confirm the accuracy of information already gathered by RTI about your state’s pre-demonstration SUD treatment coverage and service delivery policies, and details regarding program features of your demonstration. In advance of this call, RTI will send the you a pre-populated grid detailing the SUD demonstration policies and services, along with questions highlighting needed clarifications. We expect this interview will take no more than 60 minutes. We will also conduct a second interview with you, as well as separate interview with the substance abuse agency director. These interviews will be an in-depth discussion of demonstration implementation experiences, challenges, and programmatic changes. The second interview will take no more than 90 minutes.

RTI recognizes you are facing unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19 and will work to minimize burden on you. RTI will provide a pre-populated grid summarizing their understanding of SUD treatment service coverage and delivery before and after demonstration implementation in your state and will limit questions to features needing clarification. RTI will also ensure flexibility interview scheduling, allowing you to choose the date and time that best fits your schedule.

RTI will follow up with you via email to schedule a time for the first telephone interview. The calls will be conducted from [DATE RANGE].  We appreciate your participation in this important evaluation. Please contact me at [INSERT CMS PHONE NUMBER] if you have questions. 

Thank you,

[NAME OF CMS PROJECT OFFICER]