On February 29, 2016, CMS is publishing its final methodology for determining federal payment amounts to states that elect to establish a Basic Health Program (BHP) to offer health benefits to low-income individuals otherwise eligible to purchase coverage through an Affordable Insurance Exchange/Marketplace in program years 2017 and 2018. The final methodology is the same as was adopted for 2016, with minor changes to update the value of certain factors used to calculate the payments. While CMS intends to apply the same methodology for both 2017 and 2018, the agency reserves the right to specify a different methodology for 2018.