Medicaid 1115 Waiver

Constitutes the legal authority granted to the State by federal government to pursue innovations that improve health care access, quality and outcomes and further the goals of the Medicaid and CHIP Programs.  Section 1115 of the Social Security Act gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the ability to sign agreements with states waiving certain provisions of Medicaid to be able to test these programs. The terms and conditions of the State’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver act as a contract that establishes the scope of the State’s flexibility under federal law relative to the Medicaid State Plan.   Waivers are typically approved for an initial 5-year period, and then renewed for periods of 3 to 5 years. Recently, CMS has approved some 1115 waiver renewals for a period of 10 years. To make changes to the Medicaid 1115 Waiver, the State must submit a request to CMS for review and approval.  1115 Waivers include funding authorities, detailed and technical terms and conditions outlining program requirements, and comprehensive reporting and evaluation requirements. More than 40 states have an 1115 waiver. Additional information about 1115 Waivers can be found here: [https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/the-landscape-of-medicaid-demonstration-waivers-ahead-of-the-2020-election/](https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/the-landscape-of-medicaid-demonstration-waivers-ahead-of-the-2020-election/)