Medicaid Extends End Date of Existing LOCD

MDHHS released L 21-57 letter on August 11 to notify providers that the end date of existing LOCDs will be extended through the termination of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). The extension applies to Medicaid beneficiaries who are currently receiving services from a SNF where the LOCD end dates fall between September 1, 2021 and the termination of the PHE. The end dates will be updated in CHAMPS on a quarterly basis as needed.

Nursing facilities “must not conduct LOCDs during this timeframe if there is an existing eligible LOCD in CHAMPS for an admitted or enrolled beneficiary. If a beneficiary has an LOCD record that has been extended, no action is needed by the provider.” The passive redetermination process continues to run during the PHE and may create a new eligible LOCD record in CHAMPS. Refer to L 21-37 for more details on conducting or adopting LOCDs during the PHE.

At the end of the PHE MDHHS will provide guidance on the impact of the termination of the PHE and return to normal operations. Providers will be responsible to ensure that the beneficiary remains eligible under the existing LOCD criteria at that time. Policy information on LOCDs can be found in the MDHHS Medicaid Provider Manual Nursing Facility Level of Care Determination Chapter.