MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration Extension

EOHHS submitted its Section 1115 Demonstration Extension Request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on September 30, 2013. The Demonstration provides federal authority for Massachusetts to expand eligibility to individuals who are not otherwise Medicaid or CHIP eligible, offer services that are not typically covered by Medicaid, and use innovative service delivery systems that improve care, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. The current 1115 Demonstration is authorized through June 30, 2014.

The Commonwealth's Demonstration Extension Request outlines the specific authorities being requested from CMS from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019 to sustain and improve upon the gains in coverage, affordability and access to health care achieved to date under the Demonstration.

The MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration has been a key element in the Commonwealth's achievement of near-universal coverage since the enactment of Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. Now, as required by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) and recent state legislation (Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012), the next phase of health care reform focuses on cost containment and delivery system reforms. MassHealth is well positioned to continue its leadership role in these areas by advancing alternative payment methodologies and delivery system transformation. To meet the Demonstration's goals and gain additional benefits through reform, the Commonwealth's partnership with CMS remains central to its continued success.