By: Sarah Thomas
Education Programs Professional
State Foster Care Liaison
January 2023
Hello everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the holidays and got some much-needed rest.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released information about recent changes to the SUPPORT Act that affect Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Group eligibility. They also provide guidance for implementing the new requirements.
Why do Former Foster Care Children benefit from Medicaid?
One of the many issues youths face when transitioning out of foster care and into adulthood is access to proper medical care and health insurance. Since many have experienced traumatic events as children, FFCC are more likely to struggle with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems that can impair their health as adults. It is critical that FFCC continue to receive Medicaid after leaving foster care, so they have the opportunity to take care of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being (Medicaid Former Foster Care SUPPORT Act Slide Deck).
What changes will be made?
Changes to the SUPPORT Act seek to help FFCC by requiring states to “recognize the former foster care status of individuals from any state” (Medicaid Former Foster Care SUPPORT Act Slide Deck). The table below identifies the key changes that will take place.
Who will be affected by these changes?
It’s important to note that changes to the eligibility group requirements will not apply to all FFCC. Those who turn 18 on or after January 1, 2023 will qualify for them, but those who turned 18 before January 1, 2023 will not (Medicaid Former Foster Care SUPPORT Act Slide Deck).
Where can I find more information?
CMS provides resources to better understand the details of changes to the SUPPORT Act that impact FFCC, states, and other stakeholders. Take a look at the links under Helpful Resources for more information.
Definitions
“CMS” - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
“FFCC” - Former Foster Care Children
“SUPPORT Act” - Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment [SUPPORT] for Patients and Communities Act was enacted on October 24, 2018. This law grants FDA additional import authorities that FDA believes will meaningfully advance efforts to stop illegal and unsafe drugs from being imported into the United States.
Helpful Resources
Medicaid Coverage of Youth Formerly in Foster Care Changes Slide Deck
Guidance Letter for Health Officials
References
“Medicaid Former Foster Care SUPPORT Act Slide Deck.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 16 Dec. 2022, https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USACFCWIG/2022/12/19/file_attachments/2359168/former-foster-care-coverage-changes.pdf.
“Overview of the SUPPORT Act Provisions Related to Imports.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 17 Nov. 2020, https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-basics/overview-support-act-provisions-related-imports.