Response to Public Comments (60-Day)

Response to 60-day Public Comments

While we received a number of comments, the following are in scope or closely within scope.

GenIC #43 (Section 223 Demonstration Programs to Improve Community Mental Health Services)

Comment : I believe that there should be more programs implemented to improve community mental health. As a Los Angeles native, I have experienced so many people I know who suffer with mental illness and do not receive the proper mental health services because of the community that they live in.

CMS Response: CMS takes seriously its mission to ensure that high-quality behavioral health services and supports are accessible to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and consumers and in May 2024, CMS updated it’s behavioral health strategy located on the CMS.gov website located here: https://www.cms.gov/cms-behavioral-health-strategy.

GenIC #57 (Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Demonstration: Monitoring Reports Documents and Templates)

Comment/Response: While the comments are beyond the scope of this PRA package, SUD demonstrations are discussed. As such, the commentor indicates their support of SUD demonstrations and suggests that additional funding for such demonstrations and access to community based resources would be helpful.

GenIC # #79 (COVID-19 Risk Corridor Reconciliation Reporting Template)

Comment: CMS received one comment from an individual supporting the continued use of the Excel template for COVID-19 risk corridor reconciliation reporting from states. The individual noted that COVID-19 infections continue to impact the health of seniors. No other comments were received during the 60-day comment period for the reinstatement of this package.

CMS Response: CMS acknowledges the support from the individual for the continued use of the template to facilitate the COVID-19 risk corridor reconciliation data collection.

Action(s) Taken: CMS has not revised any requirements or documents as a result of the comment. CMS has not revised any burden estimates as a result of the comment.