Public Notice: Section 1115 SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program Waiver Extension

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Section 1115 SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program Waiver Extension

Overview

The Department of Health Services (DHS) intends to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting an extension of its section 1115 research and demonstration project waiver, known as the SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program. Wisconsin was previously authorized to extend the waiver beginning January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018. DHS is requesting a 10-year extension so Wisconsin may continue to operate SeniorCare through December 31, 2028.

Through a section 1115 demonstration waiver renewal, Wisconsin seeks to continue federal Medicaid funding of outpatient pharmacy benefits for individuals who qualify for SeniorCare. In addition, by extending access to prescription drug benefits for the elderly, Wisconsin will continue to provide a needed health care benefit to low-income seniors.

This Wisconsin SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program waiver extends Medicaid eligibility through Title XIX to cover prescription drugs as a necessary primary health care benefit. The target population for services under the SeniorCare is seniors who are age 65 or older with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $24,280 for an individual and $32,920 for a two-person family in 2018.

Public Comment  

Providing information to and getting input from the public on changes is important to DHS as we prepare to submit the extension request. By law, you have the opportunity to review the official full public notice and waiver extension application and provide comments from May 7 through June 7, 2018. These documents will be available on the DHS: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm.

You may also provide comments through written or verbal statements made during public hearings (see below). Public comments will be included in the waiver extension submitted to CMS and will be available on the DHS website at the address listed above.

Public Hearings

Thursday, May 10, 2018

2-4 p.m.

Wilson Park Auditorium

Wilson Park Senior Center

2601 West Howard Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53221-1941

Monday, May 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Public comment at 11 a.m.

SeniorCare Advisory Committee

Department of Health Services

1 West Wilson Street

R 14, 2018

Room 751

Madison, WI 53703

Agendas for these meetings will be posted to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm.

Written Comments

Written comments on the proposed application are welcome and will be accepted May 7 through June 7, 2018. Send written comments to the Division of Medicaid Services at:

Fax:   [phone]

Email:   [e-mail]

Mail:   Department of Health Services

  Attn: Tiffany Reilly

  1 West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53707-0309

Copies of Waiver Documents

On May 7, 2018, a copy of waiver documents, including the waiver application, may be obtained from DHS at no charge by downloading the documents from www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm or by contacting or by contacting Al Matano at:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Mail: Department of Health Services

Attn: Al Matano

1 West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53707-0309