Waivers
A Medicaid waiver is a provision in Medicaid law through which the federal government "waives" certain rules that normally govern the Medicaid program. When a state applies for a waiver, it asks the federal government for permission to operate its Medicaid program in ways not normally allowed.
Waivers give states flexibility to:
- Design and operate their Medicaid programs.
- Deliver health care services in new ways.
- Reduce costs by using different service strategies.
- Expand coverage to groups of people usually not eligible.
Oregon uses waivers and the K Plan to provide home and community-based services to people who need long-term care. This means they can stay in their own home or other community setting.
K Plan
The
K Plan is a Medicaid state plan option authorized under the Affordable Care Act. It is also called the "1915(k) State Plan" or the "Community First Choice Option." It allows states like Oregon to provide home and community-based attendant services and supports while receiving an increase in federal medical assistance funds for those services.
Oregonians who receive K Plan benefits can still receive Medicaid-funded and non-Medicaid-funded home and community-based supports and long-term care services.
We're updating our 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. We seek feedback on our proposed changes. Some changes will make services easier to access. Other changes are minor and won't affect people's services.
How to provide feedback
1. Read the proposed changes
Read the
plain language summary (translated in six languages).
If you want, you can read the
full waiver with changes noted (English only).
This is optional. You don't need to read the full waiver to provide feedback.
The long version includes the whole waiver with changes noted. The short version just shows sections with changes.
For print versions
Call 503-507-2083 or email
odds.waivers@odhs.oregon.gov.
2. Submit your feedback by February 27
Use one of these methods.
-
Email comments to: odds.waivers@odhs.oregon.gov.
-
Mail written comments to:
ODDS Medicaid waiver/State Plan analyst
500 Summer Street NE E-09
Salem, OR 97301
Deadline: To be considered, we must receive your feedback by Feb. 27, 2026.
Next steps: We will review all comments before we submit final applications. We will share a summary of comments and our responses on this web page when we submit the final applications.
Alternate formats: You can get this document for free in other languages, large print, braille or a format you need. Email
dd.directorsoffice@odhs.oregon.gov or call 503-945-5811. We accept all relay calls.