The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today delayed until July 1, 2010 the effective date of a final rule giving states more flexibility in defining the benefits covered by their Medicaid programs. Published last December, the rule allows states to amend their Medicaid plans to offer alternative benefit packages called "benchmark plans," which are either approved by the Health and Human Services secretary or equivalent to state or certain federal employee coverage. The final rule was scheduled to take effect Dec. 31 after being delayed twice by the new administration.