Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

Government agencies last week provided guidance to states regarding a healthcare reform provision that allows Medicaid waivers for dual-eligible beneficiaries to be approved or renewed for up to five years.

These waivers include Section 1115 demonstration programs, Section 1915(b) managed care waivers, and Section 1915(c) waivers for home and community-based services. An example of a section 1115 waiver is a demonstration that provides long-term and acute care services for dually eligible individuals in a managed care delivery system.

“In order for a state to apply for the extended approval periods, the waiver or demonstration must include a focus on the dual-eligible population and provide delivery system options or services that could not typically be provided to dually eligible individuals under the state plan,” according to the letter.