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CMS Approves Alabama Medicaid Section 1135 Waiver Request to Waive Administrative Requirements in Response to COVID-19

March 25, 2020

ALABAMA MEDICAID AGENCY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020
CONTACT: MELANIE CLEVELAND-(334) 353-9363–melanie.cleveland@medicaid.alabama.gov

MONTGOMERY -- In response to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Alabama Medicaid’s waiver request under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act (Act). The waiver was approved within days of the state submission, and this offers the Agency new flexibilities to focus resources on combatting the outbreak and providing the best possible care to Medicaid beneficiaries in Alabama.

Commissioner Stephanie Azar said, “We are pleased with CMS’ quick response to our 1135 waiver request. We anticipate more 1135 waiver requests to be filed in the near future.”

This request includes a 30-day waiver of mental health assessments for newly admitted nursing home residents, whereby, they will receive a review when resources become available. Additionally, new preadmission mental health screens are waived for residents who are being transferred between nursing facilities, and they will be completed as resources become available.

This waiver became effective as of 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 15, 2020, with a retroactive effective date of March 1, 2020. Section 1135 waivers will terminate and no longer be available, upon termination of the public health emergency, including any extensions.

Providers and nursing homes can find more information about the approved Section 1135 waiver on the Agency website, www.Medicaid.Alabama.gov.

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