Alabama Medicaid to sponsor public forums on work requirements application
Agency to submit Section 1115 Demonstration Application

Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 431.408, the Alabama Medicaid Agency is required to give public notice of its intent to submit a Section 1115 Demonstration proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Alabama Medicaid is seeking this Section 1115 Demonstration to assist able-bodied Parent or Caretaker Relative (POCR) recipients improve their health outcomes and improve their economic stability which will assist the state in having healthier citizens.
 
Unemployment has been shown to have a negative impact on physical and mental health outcomes. Alabama Medicaid seeks to implement programs for the able-bodied POCR eligibility group that will require unemployed or underemployed adults to become gainfully employed, or participate in training opportunities to enhance their potential for full employment. This change will put Alabamians on a path to better health outcomes. 
 
There are three key objectives of this Demonstration:
 

• Identify individuals eligible for employment opportunities and assist them with accessing employment training activities.
• Improve the health outcomes and economic security of those eligible by requiring them to engage in employment activities.
• Improve the health outcomes of children enrolled in Medicaid, by assisting their parents in finding and succeeding in employment activities.

 
As required by federal regulation, Medicaid is now opening a formal thirty (30) day comment period. A copy of the draft Demonstration proposal, the full public notice, and additional information can be found on Medicaid’s website at http://www.medicaid.alabama.gov/content/2.0_Newsroom/2.7_Special_Initiatives/2.7.5_Work_Requirements.aspx. A copy of the draft Demonstration proposal will also be available upon request for public review at each county office of the Department of Human Resources and the State Office of the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Additionally, two opportunities for public comment will be held at the following locations:

 

Medicaid is also making teleconference access available for the March 5, 2018, meeting at Montgomery, Alabama. For dial-in information, please see the Medicaid website at  
http://www.medicaid.alabama.gov/content/2.0_Newsroom/2.7_Special_Initiatives/2.7.5_Work_Requirements.aspx.
 
Written comments concerning these changes should be submitted on or before April 2, 2018, to the following e-mail address: PublicComment@medicaid.alabama.gov or mailed hardcopy to: Administrative Secretary, Alabama Medicaid Agency, 501 Dexter Avenue, P.O. Box 5624, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5624. All written comments will be available for review by the public during normal business hours at the above address.

Robin D. Rawls, MBA

Director, Communications

Alabama Medicaid Agency

Office: (334) 353-9363

Cell: (334) 414-1261

robin.rawls@medicaid.alabama.gov