Source: American Academy of Family Physicians Washington, DC, Office and Hannah News Service
On January 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that states will be allowed to test programs where work or other community engagement would be a condition for Medicaid eligibility for able-bodied, working-age adults. Kentucky received the first waiver approval under which Medicaid recipients will pay premiums which, if not paid, will allow for termination from the program.
The Kentucky waiver also implements work requirements for certain enrollees, coverage lock-outs, waiting periods for enrollment, and eliminates retroactive coverage. Additionally, Governor Matt Bevin (R) signed an executive order to terminate Kentucky’s Medicaid expansion program if a court prohibits one or more of the waiver components from being enacted. Lawsuits against the decision are expected.
The Ohio Governor’s Office of Health Transformation plans to review the CMS directive and the state budget provision requiring the Kasich administration submit a request related to work or community engagement requirements. According to a news report in Hannah News Service, Health Transformation Director Greg Moody said, “… sooner rather than later we will start to have a public conversation on that to understand what people think should be the most constructive path forward.”