New CMS Bulletin: Coverage of Services and Supports to Address Non-Medical Drivers of Health

On November 14, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an informational bulletin on opportunities to cover nutrition and housing related services in Medicaid and CHIP programs. In addition to the bulletin, CMS published a framework of nutrition and housing services and supports that are considered allowable under CHIP and Medicaid and the corresponding statutory authority a state can use to cover the services.

Health-related social needs (HRSN) are the unmet and adverse social conditions that contribute to an individual’s poor health outcomes. Non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH) are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Addressing NMDOH and associated HRSNs can improve access to health care and health outcomes and result in reduced long term health care costs. State Medicaid programs have not traditionally covered housing and nutrition related services. Today, however, states are exploring coverage options, and the new CMS memo outlines opportunities states can leverage to address food and housing insecurity.