BOISE – The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) is requesting public comment through public hearings, email, or traditional mail regarding a draft Section 1115 Waiver application. Public comments will be accepted until August 9th, and the department plans to submit the waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as soon as possible after that date.
The purpose of the waiver, titled the Idaho Coverage Choice Waiver, is to allow Idahoans with incomes from 100% to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level the choice to continue receiving tax credits to reduce premiums for private health insurance, or to enroll in Medicaid. The Idaho Coverage Choice Waiver is being requested in response to changes in Idaho law during the 2019 legislative session. The proposed effective date for the waiver is January 1, 2020. Without the waiver, individuals who are currently eligible for a tax credit and enrolled in private insurance coverage will be required to enroll in Medicaid.
The 1115 Idaho Coverage Choice Waiver coincides with the 1332 Idaho Coverage Choice Waiver that was released for public comment by the Department of Insurance on May 31, 2019. Although these are two separate waiver applications, the intent and goals of the waivers are the same. IDHW will carefully review and consider all public comments received related to the coverage choice policy, whether formally submitted through the Section 1332 waiver application process or this Section 1115 waiver application prior to submitting the full application for review and approval.
The department’s conversations with federal partners have indicated that Idaho may need both sections of waivers to implement Coverage Choice, and in the interest of time, is preparing both applications.
Read the department’s comprehensive public notice, tribal notice and the waiver application.
The public hearings will be held at the following locations in Boise:
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Location: Department of Health & Welfare, 1720 Westgate Drive, Suite A, Conference Room 131, Boise; or call in to 1-877-820-7831, 301388#
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Location: Department of Health & Welfare, 3232 Elder St., Conference Room D-East, Boise
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Public comments will be accepted until August 9, 2019, and may be emailed to 1115CW@dhw.idaho.gov or mailed to:
Attention: Cindy Brock
Medicaid Program Policy Analyst
Division of Medicaid
P.O. Box 83720; Boise, Idaho 83720-0009
For more information: https://medicaidexpansion.idaho.gov
Media contact: Niki Forbing-Orr
Public Information Manager
(208) 334-0668
DHW Voice 
This is very important!!