On January 22, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule designed to provide states with additional flexibility in administering their Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Exchange programs. Among many other things, the rule would enhance the ability of states to coordinate eligibility determinations, appeals processes, beneficiary notifications, and other related administrative procedures for these health programs. The proposed rule also would give states more options with regard to benefits, through policies on the use of benchmark and benchmark-equivalent plans (now known as Alternative Benefit Plans) for newly-eligible low-income adults, and the relationship between Alternative Benefit Plans and Essential Health Benefits under the ACA. In addition, CMS proposes a series of changes to Medicaid premium and cost-sharing requirements to enhance state flexibility, including updating maximum allowable cost-sharing levels and consolidating and streamlining all Medicaid premium and cost sharing rules. The proposed rule also would allow states to establish higher cost sharing for non-preferred drugs and for non-emergency use of emergency departments. The rule also addresses a number of other related policies, including: streamlining eligibility categories; simplifying the citizenship documentation process; and establishing procedures for Exchanges to verify access to employer-sponsored coverage. Note that while the proposed rule states that comments are due February 13, 2013, CMS subsequently issued a correction notice extending the comment period until February 21, 2013.