The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) continues to move forward with its planned release of $529 million allocated through HB 169 to support the initial phase of the ARPA-HCBS Immediate Provider Relief payments. As members will recall, ODM outlined in the Provider Relief Funding Grid the eligible provider types and the complex process that requires development, submission, and CMS approval of various 1135 State Plan Amendments or Appendix K documents in order to authorize disbursement of funds.

ODM has remained in close contact with CMS and will begin releasing funds to provider types as soon as CMS approval is received and emergency rules are approved. Funds, which for community behavioral health providers will be approximately 10% of FY 21 Medicaid FFS and MCO payments, will be released as one-time lump sum payments distributed through a MITS special payment cycle. The Ohio Council monitor this process and continue to provide updates as they become available.