CMS signs off on emergency Medicaid waiver for Wisconsin

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services signed off on parts of an emergency Medicaid waiver for Wisconsin this week to help the program respond to COVID-19.

CMS notified the state Monday of the approval. In a Tuesday statement, the federal agency said the waiver delivers “urgent regulatory relief to ensure the state can quickly and effectively care for its most vulnerable citizens.”

The approval allows the state to suspend prior authorization requirements, waive pre-admission screenings and pay for services in alternate settings, among other changes.

The Department of Health Services said in a statement that it was pleased to receive CMS’ response.

“DHS is conferring with CMS about how to move forward to obtain approval on those parts that were not initially accepted,” the statement noted. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, DHS will continue to identify where flexibilities in programs may be needed and work with the appropriate federal partners to gain relief as necessary.”

According to a tracker from the Kaiser Family Foundation, Wisconsin is the 49th state to receive such a waiver. Ohio is the sole state without one.

State health officials originally tried to seek approval from the Joint Finance Committee last month for the waiver. A state law passed before Gov. Tony Evers took office blocked them, and the full Legislature passed a bill authorizing the waiver last week.

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