States seeking renewal for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) section 1115 demonstration waivers may have their applications fast-tracked if the demonstration is working effectively and no major or complex policy changes to the waiver are proposed. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that state demonstrations would qualify for expedited approval if the demonstration renewal meets the following four criteria:
- established demonstration program, including one full extension cycle without substantial program changes
- demonstrations in compliance with reporting requirements, including positive monitoring and evaluation results that show that demonstration objectives have been fulfilled
- renewal does not propose any major or complex changes
- renewal uses streamlined extension application templates
CMS has further explained that all waivers related to delivery system reform, uncompensated care pools, and Medicaid expansion that use the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) are not eligible for the new fast track process.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Beth Feldpush, DrPH, senior vice president of policy and advocacy, at bfeldpush@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0111.
