On March 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an informational bulletin rescinding prior guidance and the enabling informational bulletins on health-related social needs (HRSN).

HRSN have been demonstrated to have an outsized effect on people’s health and well-being. CMS has in the past offered guidance to states on ways to use Medicaid to expand access to HRSN such as nutritional supports, housing and tenancy stability supports, among others.

The change in policy notes that applications from states will still be considered on a case-by-case basis and assessed for compliance with other Medicaid programmatic requirements. While this means states that haven’t yet but were considering expanding access to HRSN via Medicaid have a less clear path forward, the bulletin does not affect already approved programs states have in place. Some state waivers and programs could be in jeopardy upon renewal if these policies remain in place.

The full bulletin can be accessed here.