Section 1115 Medicaid waivers allow states to explore new options for providing health coverage to persons who would otherwise not be eligible and allow states to examine innovative ways to deliver care by waiving certain requirements of the Medicaid Act.
While waivers can be important tools that can help states respond to the needs of low-income individuals, they also present concerns for health advocates working to protect the rights of Medicaid enrollees and promote transparency in state waiver processes.
Sec. 1115 of the Social Security Act allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive some requirements of the Medicaid Act so that states can test novel approaches to improving medical assistance for low-income people.
Under the current administration, several states are seeking waivers to impose harmful cuts and restrictions. The first set of harmful waivers have been approved for Kentucky and Arkansas, with a number of states seeking to enact similar changes to Medicaid. Learn more about Medicaid waivers and how the National Health Law Program is combating the Trump administration’s illegal use of waivers to weaken Medicaid.
View 1115 Waiver Resources By State
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- Abigail Coursolle
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- Wayne Turner
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- August 29, 2013
Webinar: Medicaid Cost-Sharing
National Health Law Program Legal Director Jane Perkins and Senior Policy Analyst David Machledt discuss cost-sharing, the portions of medical bills that are payed by the enrollee, and premiums in the context of Medicaid. This webinar covers the relative impacts of cost-sharing and premiums on access to care at different income levels, the legal requirements that limit Medicaid cost-sharing, the important litigation on Medicaid cost-sharing at the time of recording (including Section 1115 Demonstration cases), and tips for advocates working in this policy area. Download the slides from this presentation here. Note: This is Part II of our two-part series on Medicaid Eligibility Regulations. View Part I, "Medicaid Alternative Benefits Plans," here.
- July 29, 2013
Comments on Draft Bridge Plan Demonstration Project
NHeLP's comments on Covered California's proposal to use bridge plans to serve lower income people connected to Medi-Cal in the Exchange focus on ensuring that lower income people have timely access to affordable plans and continuity of care.
- July 23, 2013
Q&A – Early MAGI Implementation
To help facilitate the transition to MAGI, CMS recently issued guidance allowing states to implement MAGI on October 1, 2013, coinciding with the beginning of open enrollment in the new health insurance marketplaces (exchanges).The following Q & A addresses questions and concerns regarding the early implementation of MAGI, including how to best protect current enrollees.
- July 23, 2013
NHeLP Letter to Cindy Mann on Partial Medicaid Expansion
After the Supreme Court rules that HHS could not enforce penalties on states if they refused the adult Medicaid expansion, several states showed interest in using generous federal matching funds to partially expand their adult coverage. This letter to Cindy Mann presents legal analysis supporting NHeLP's recommendation that CMS not allow states to partially expand Medicaid.
- July 23, 2013
Comments to Arizona’s 1115 Waiver Amendment Request
William E. Morris Institute for Justice comments on Arizona 1115 Waiver --------------------------------------------------- For full publication text, download document.
- July 23, 2013
Due Process in California’s Early Medicaid Expansion Program
Low-Income Health Programs (LIHP) were created in 2010 to allow California to expand health coverage to low-income individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. This brief describes the notice and appeals rules in the LIHPs, and their implementation around the state.
- July 23, 2013
Covering HCB Services through the 1915(i) State Plan Option
Q. My state is considering asking CMS to approve Medicaid coverage of home and community-based (HCB) services through the 1915(i) state plan option. Can you explain what this option is and whether there are any particular issues that advocates should watch for? A. Section 1915(i) enables to states to offer HCB services through a state plan option. This can be good for P & A clients, because it can increase access to HCB services for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid waiver programs. At the same time, it can be a way for states to limit coverage of services to particular populations. Therefore, advocates need to closely monitor states? plans to offer 1915(i) services. Discussion In 2005, Congress added a new section to the Medicaid Act that authorizes states to provide HCB services to certain individuals through a state plan option.2 Previously, such home and community-based services could be offered only pursuant to an 1115 or 1915 waiver.3 The 1915(i) option enables states to serve individuals with incomes under 150% of FPL who need HCB supportive services but whose disabilities are less severe than those served under HCB waivers. Unlike waivers, individuals…
- July 23, 2013
1115-Copayment Waiver Amendment Attachments
For full publication text, download document.
- July 23, 2013
Limiting Cost-Sharing in Medicaid Funded Programs
Q. My state is considering implementing cost sharing for Medicaid beneficiaries, arguing that this will save money. The state wants to implement cost sharing above the nominal amounts listed in federal Medicaid regulations and to make payment of the copayments mandatory. It also wants to impose premiums on some Medicaid populations that exceed the premium amounts currently allowed in the Medicaid laws. We understand that the state is going to ask the federal Medicaid agency for approval of these changes. Are there arguments we can make against these cuts? Can you suggest evidentiary support for our legal position? A. Yes. A recent decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals casts doubt on the state?s plan to impose the heightened cost sharing. Moreover, numerous studies have demonstrated that Medicaid cost sharing reduces utilization of necessary services and lowers enrollment. The imposition of premiums also implicates the maintenance of efforts requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Discussion Medicaid cost sharing rules Cost sharing requires a patient to pay part of the cost of health care services, such as enrollment fees, premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or similar charges. Congress has been very…
- July 23, 2013
Duals Demonstration/Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) As Amended by May Revise
Kim Lewis LetterHonorable Members California State Legislature Re: Duals Demonstration/Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) As Amended by May Revise ? Concerns The undersigned organizations have been active participants in the planning process for the Duals Demonstration Project, which was authorized by SB 208 (Statutes of 2010) as pilot programs in up to four counties. We have also written to oppose the Governor?s State Budget Proposal which proposed to expand the demonstration from four to ten counties as part of the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI). In early May, several of our organizations individually gave input to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Department of Social Services (DSS) on our outstanding concerns regarding the State?s draft plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We continue to work collaboratively with the Administration and hope to see a demonstration which delivers on the potential for integrated funding and services for people who are dually eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare. While we appreciate the proposed changes in the May Revision to delay implementation from January 1, 2013 to March 1, 2013 and to reduce the proposed expansion of pilots to eight counties, we must continue to oppose…