CMS Delays Enforcement Of Medicaid Community- Based Services Grievances Requirements Until 2027, Citing State Implementation Burden

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to delay enforcement of a provision of a 2024 regulation known as “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” (Access Rule) governing Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS). The delay is intended to give states additional time to come into compliance with the fee-for-service (FFS) grievance system requirements. Enforcement had been slated to begin July 9, 2026, but will now be delayed until December 31, 2027.

The CMS Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) discussed the enforcement delay in an informational bulletin released on February 26, 2026. The bulletin . . .