Waiving Medicaid Retroactive Coverage in Iowa

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Waiving Medicaid Retroactive Coverage in Iowa  A new issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation examines a recently-approved amendment to Iowa’s Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration that eliminated 3-month retroactive coverage for nearly all new Medicaid applicants in the state as of November 1, 2017. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the amendment on October 26, 2017. Populations affected by Iowa’s waiver include low-income parents, children over age 1, Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. CMS has approved retroactive coverage waivers in a limited number of other states with certain conditions.  The new brief answers key questions about Medicaid retroactive coverage, describes Iowa’s recent waiver amendment, considers the policy implications of retroactive coverage waivers, and identifies issues to watch. Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Menlo Park, California.