The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved New Hampshire’s request to incorporate work and community engagement requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility for certain enrollees through its Section 1115 demonstration waiver.
New Hampshire is the fourth state to receive such approval from CMS this year, after Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas.
The waiver, entitled New Hampshire Health Protection Program Premium Assistance (NHPP), will require non-disabled adults newly eligible for Medicaid through the state’s expansion to work or participate in other approved community engagement activities for at least 20 hours per week for the first 12 months of coverage. The requirement increases to 25 hours per week in the second 12 months and 30 hours per week in subsequent months.
The waiver includes exemptions for certain populations, including:
- individuals with illnesses that prevent them from working;
- participants in a state-certified drug court program;
- parents or caretakers for individuals requiring extensive care; and
- parents or caretakers of a child under 6 years old.
America’s Essential Hospitals recently released a policy brief examining work and community engagement requirements in Medicaid waivers.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
