CMS approves Arizona Medicaid demonstration waiver

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday approved a waiver to revise and extend Arizona’s Medicaid demonstration program for five years beginning Oct. 1. Among other reforms, adults with incomes over 100% of the Federal Poverty Level will pay a monthly premium of 2% of household income or $25, whichever is less, which will go into an account they can use to pay for non-covered services. Participants can defer premium payments for six months if they meet certain targets for preventive health or managing chronic illnesses, and will be automatically enrolled in job-seeking programs. “AzHHA is pleased with the federal approval for the continuation and improvement of our Medicaid waiver program,” said President and CEO Greg Vigdor. “The new reforms proposed by Governor Ducey and approved by CMS offers hope that states can find a new way to help clients improve their health and lives, while still maintaining its original and crucial safety net purpose. We look forward to working with Governor Ducey's team to implement this waiver, and to continue to make the Arizona Medicaid program a leader among national programs – and a vehicle for achieving our vision of making Arizona the Healthiest State in the Nation.”