HHS Approves Historic Medicaid Reform Plans in Idaho
2006.05.25: HHS Approves Historic Medicaid Reform Plans in Idaho
Medicaid beneficiaries in Idaho will be among the first in the nation to have benefits designed to meet their needs based on age and health status -- changes allowed by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today.
Prior to enactment of the DRA states could not target benefits to one certain group of enrollees.
"Idaho is on the cutting edge in crafting Medicaid benefit packages to the needs of its residents and I commend Governor Kempthorne for this innovative work," Secretary Leavitt said.
"These changes make sense for beneficiaries and the very future of the Medicaid program."
Under the plan approved today, Idaho will offer three benefit packages aimed at meeting the health care needs of different groups -- children, people with disabilities and beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
The Benchmark Basic plan will serve healthy children and adults and will cover most of the traditional Medicaid benefits, except long-term care, organ transplants and intensive mental health treatment.
The state's Medicaid reform will also include simplified eligibility for children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the elimination of an assets test for some children.
