What should the state’s proposed Section 1115 Demonstration look like? How can it best be used to facilitate the state’s move to managed care? During the month of March, providers, advocates, local officials and others with an interest in Medicaid presented ideas and comments on proposed healthcare delivery system changes via two public hearings in Montgomery and Birmingham.
Public hearing participants addressed a variety of topics and issues based on the draft application published February 28. Comments from the public hearings and those received by the Agency will be included in the final Demonstration application when it is submitted to the federal government later this year.
“Approval of the 1115 Demonstration is a critical element in our plan to transform Medicaid,” said Acting Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar. “We are encouraging our stakeholders to provide comments and suggestions to strengthen our application for this waiver so the state can implement new ideas to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.”
Emails may be sent to PublicComment@medicaid.alabama.gov while regular mail may be addressed to the Alabama Medicaid Administrative Procedures Office. After comments are received, the state will be eligible to formally submit its waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Click here for more information and a copy of the waiver draft.
1115 Demonstration waivers are used by states to research or test the cost and program effectiveness of innovative ideas that are otherwise not allowed under the state’s agreement with the federal government. In Alabama’s case, Medicaid hopes to test new strategies such as a delivery system through which risk bearing, provider-based regional care organizations are paid on a capitated basis, along with payment methodology changes that would move the state away from volume-based, fee-for-service reimbursement system to one that recognizes and rewards quality health outcomes.