By: Jane Perkins
Executive Summary
National Health Law Program urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary to reject a Sec. 1115 Medicaid waiver proposal from Arizona that would end retroactive health care cover for thousands of low-income individuals and families in the state. The purpose of the Medicaid Act’s retroactive coverage is to protect “persons who are eligible for Medicaid but do not apply for assistance until after they have received care, either because they did not know about the Medicaid eligibility requirements, or because the sudden nature of their illness prevented their applying.” In comments to HHS, the National Health Law Program says, “Waiving retroactive coverage will harm low-income people and care providers. Without this protection, individuals are likely to incur significant medical costs if they need medical care and are not yet enrolled in coverage.”
