NEWS RELEASE–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Aug. 23, 2019
Department of Health and Welfare seeks public comments on Section 1115 waiver for work requirements under Medicaid expansion
BOISE – The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) is requesting public comment through public hearings, email, and traditional mail regarding a draft Section 1115 waiver application for work requirements. Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 22, and the department plans to submit the waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as soon as possible after that date.
The purpose of the waiver is to implement work, community engagement, education, or volunteerism requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level made eligible under Idaho Medicaid expansion.
These new requirements will affect individuals eligible for the expansion adult group (an eligibility category not determined on the basis of a disability). Many individuals in the expansion adult group will be exempt from the requirement or are already meeting the requirements.
The Idaho Legislature outlined several factors in state statute that would exempt an individual from the requirements. IDWH has included all such exemptions in its waiver application, including:
An individual is younger than 19 and or older than 59 years of age.
An individual is physically or intellectually unable to work (including individuals with mental health barriers).
And individual is pregnant, a parent, or caretaker providing for a dependent younger than 18 years of age or for people with a serious medical condition.
An individual is applying for or receiving unemployment compensation and complying with related work requirements.
An individual is applying for Social Security disability benefits or is participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.
An individual is an American Indian or Alaska Native and is eligible for services through the Indian Health Service or tribal health program.
The proposed effective date for the waiver is January 1, 2020.
Read the department’s comprehensive public notice, tribal notice and the waiver application.
The public hearings will be held at the following locations:
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019
Location: Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho State Capital Building, 700 W. Jefferson St., Boise; or call in to 1-877-820-7831, 301388#
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
Location: East Conference Room in the Joe R. Williams Building, 700 W. State St., Boise; or call in to 1-877-820-7831, 301388#
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 22, 2019, and may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Attention: Cindy Brock
Medicaid Program Policy Analyst
Division of Medicaid
P.O. Box 83720; Boise, Idaho 83720-0009
For more information on Idaho Medicaid expansion, please visit https://medicaidexpansion.idaho.gov/
