Re-approval of Kentucky Medicaid Demonstration Waiver
Issue Brief
CMS’s cover letter refers to “approving Kentucky HEALTH as a component of the KY HEALTH demonstration.” Letter from Paul Mango, Chief Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief of Staff, CMS Office of the Administrator to Carol H. Steckel, Commissioner, Dep’t for Medicaid Servs., Commonwealth of Kentucky at 1, (Nov. 20, 2018), https://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/ky/ky-health-ca.pdf. The waiver terms and conditions indicate that these provisions are included in the KY Health demonstration as an amendment.
The KY HEALTH waiver also provides authority for the state to cover former foster care youth who were in foster care in another state and to align Medicaid and CHIP renewals with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) open enrollment periods for those receiving ESI premium assistance. CMS Waiver List, KY HEALTH 1115 Demonstration, #11-W-00306/4 and 21-W-00067/4, approval period Jan. 12, 2018 through Sept. 30, 2023, amended Nov. 20, 2018, https://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/ky/ky-health-ca.pdf.
Letter from Paul Mango, Chief Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief of Staff, CMS Office of the Administrator to Carol H. Steckel, Commissioner, Dep’t for Medicaid Servs., Commonwealth of Kentucky at 11, (Nov. 20, 2018), https://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/ky/ky-health-ca.pdf.
In June, 2018, Arkansas became the first state to implement a Medicaid work requirement waiver. KFF, An Early Look at Implementation of Medicaid Work Requirements in Arkansas (Oct. 2018).