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Page 10 – CMCS Informational Bulletin information on how to comply with the community engagement requirements, including an explanation of the definition of an “applicable individual” and the exceptions; the consequences of non-compliance; and how to report a change in status that could result in the individual qualifying as a specified excluded individual, meeting an exception, or being subject to the community engagement requirement after an exclusion or exception ends. States must provide this outreach notice to the beneficiary by mail (or in an electronic format, if elected by the individual), and one or more additional formats. Additional formats may include telephone, text message, an internet website, other commonly available electronic means, and other formats the Secretary determines appropriate. States must notify applicable individuals before implementing community engagement requirements on a timeframe that is based on the state’s implementation date (i.e., either January 1, 2027, or an earlier date selected by the state) and the number of consecutive months a state requires applicable individuals to demonstrate community engagement at application. The set number of months prior to initial implementation that outreach is required in a particular state is determined by adding three months to the number of months a state requires an applicable individual to demonstrate community engagement at application. As such, states requiring an applicable individual to demonstrate one, two, or three months of community engagement at application would be required to begin outreach no later than September, August, or July 2026, respectively, for implementation on January 1, 2027. For a visual representation of these outreach timelines, reference the Appendix. IX. Managed Care Plan Role (WFTC legislation Section 71119(c)) States are prohibited from using Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs), prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs), or other contractors with direct or indirect financial relationships to MCOs, PIHPs, or PAHPs to determine beneficiary compliance with community engagement requirements. There is no other prohibition in the statute on states choosing to delegate some support activities to managed care plans to support states’ successful implementation of community engagement requirements. CMS expects to issue further guidance on the potential role that managed care plans can appropriately play in activities that are not related to determining beneficiary compliance. X. Timeline for Implementation, and Temporary Exemption for Good Faith Effort (Section 1902(xx)(1) and (11) of the Act) Section 1902(xx)(1) of the Act requires that states implement the new community engagement requirements beginning January 1, 2027, although states may elect an earlier implementation date via a section 1115 demonstration or through a state plan amendment. States interested in an earlier implementation should contact CMS for more details.