Overview
Section 1115 of the Social Security Act gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to approve experimental, pilot or demonstration projects that promote the objectives of the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs. Under this authority, the Secretary may waive certain provisions of the Medicaid law to give states additional flexibility to design and improve their programs. To learn more,
visit Medicaid.gov - Section 1115 Demonstrations.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) is working through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in seeking section 1115 Waiver authority to strengthen its program of long-term services and supports for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Current Demonstration How to comment
The Demonstration focuses on two initiatives
Expansion of Oregon Project Independence (OPI) using Medicaid to serve more older adults and people with physical disabilities who require some assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but who are not accessing Medicaid long-term services and supports.
Create a Family Caregiver Assistance Program, offering a limited, monthly benefit to older adults and people with physical disabilities who receive support for ADLs from family or other unpaid caregivers.
- 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver Summary
-
Oregon Project Independence Fact Sheet
-
Family Caregiver Assistance Program Fact Sheet
Public comment on the
1115 Demonstration Waiver Application draft expired at 5 p.m. on August 15, 2021.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a public comment period on the application. The goal of the public comment period was to obtain perspectives from a broad range of individuals on the draft application.
Feedback received during the public comment period may help to identify areas of improvement for the application, including the revised specifications. The comments also provide insights into the public's general reaction, including concerns about the programs proposed and their implementation.
The federal comment period on the application closed on Dec. 16, 2021.
For more information about 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waivers,
visit the CMS website. To learn more about OHA, Oregon's Medicaid agency,
visit the OHA website.
Prior comment opportunities
ODHS and OHA sought public comment on the proposed 1115 Demonstration Waiver from Sep. 24, 2021 through Oct. 24, 2021. The public was invited to one or more of the public meetings listed below to learn more about the proposed demonstration or to send written comments by mail or email.
Public hearings were held
- Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, 11 a.m. to noon PDT
- Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, 9 to 10 a.m. PDT
- Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT