Pennsylvania Submits Final Medicaid Expansion Plan For CMS Approval

On February 19, 2014, Pennsylvania submitted its Healthy Pennsylvania Medicaid reform waiver application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If the waiver is approved, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) estimates that Pennsylvania will be able offer state-funded health coverage to more than 500,000 low-income, uninsured, childless, non-elderly adult state residents currently ineligible for Medicaid. The proposed plan, anticipated to begin in January 2015, encourages personal responsibility, provides benefits that match individuals’ health care needs and promotes healthy behaviors. The “Healthy Pennsylvania” waiver seeks reforms to the current state Medicaid plan . . .