CMS Approves Five-Year Extension To North Carolina’s Medicaid Reform Demonstration, But Requires Compliance With Federal Parity Law

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a five-year extension of North Carolina’s section 1115 demonstration, “North Carolina Medicaid Reform Demonstration.” With this extension, the state will continue previously approved authorities, including mandatory managed care enrollment and coverage of addiction treatment for individuals residing in an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD). However, the extension includes new requirements related to parity in mental health and addiction disorder treatment benefits. The state and its managed care organizations must document that services are delivered in compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act in order to . . .