# EHB-Benchmark Plan Modernization Grant for States with a Federally-Facilitated Exchange

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/cms-2u2-25-001-ehb-benchmark-plan-modernization-grant-for-states-with/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356740

> Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services offered grants of up to $375,000 to state and local governments. It expected to make about 28 awards. Applications closed on January 15, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | CMS-2U2-25-001 |
| Agency | Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | January 15, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | $375,000 |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 28 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 93.679 |

## Who can apply

- State governments

You are eligible for funding under this funding opportunity if you meet all of the following criteria:•You are a state government’s executive branch agency.•You regulate the non-grandfathered individual and small group health insurance markets in the state, even if any of the following are true:•The state does not have statutory authority to enforce the EHB requirements.•The state is not otherwise enforcing the EHB requirements, or CMS has determined that the state is not substantially enforcing the EHB requirements. •Your state must have an FFE as of January 1, 2026. The states expected to have an FFE as of January 1, 2026 are: AL, AK, AZ, DE, FL, HI, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI, and WY

## What the grant funds

We know it can be challenging for states to fund the work necessary to improve the Essential Health Benefits (EHB). Improving EHB typically involves: Comprehensively reviewing EHB-benchmark plans. Seeking public feedback on the coverage of EHB in the state. Submitting an application to CMS to change the EHB in the state. We understand that, due in part to these challenges, that there are many states that have not considered updating their EHB-benchmark plans. These states include 24 of the 28 states expected to have a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) as of January 1, 2026. As a result, the covered benefits in the Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered through the Exchanges in these states may not reflect recent changes in medical evidence, scientific advancement, and clinical care guidelines. Additionally, people enrolled in these QHPs may have trouble accessing EHB because of cost, claims denials, utilization management, discriminatory benefit design, or other factors. We want to lessen these challenges through the EHB-Benchmark Plan Modernization Grant for States with a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE EHB Mod Grant). This new grant program will fund states with an FFE for a variety of activities related to the review of EHB-benchmark plans. The goal is to help applicants modernize and change their EHB-benchmark plans under 45 CFR 156.111.

## Questions people ask

### Is CMS-2U2-25-001 still open?

No. It closed on January 15, 2025.

### Who can apply for EHB-Benchmark Plan Modernization Grant for States with a Federally-Facilitated Exchange?

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services accepted applications from state and local governments. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for EHB-Benchmark Plan Modernization Grant for States with a Federally-Facilitated Exchange?

Closed January 15, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $375,000 each.