CMS approves Georgia’s work-requirement Medicaid expansion plan

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday announced Georgia can move forward with a limited Medicaid expansion plan under which enrollees up to 100% of the federal poverty level must comply with, and report, work or other qualifying activities.

The expansion is expected to cover an estimated 65,000 additional residents through Medicaid enrollment or Medicaid premium assistance or employer sponsored insurance coverage.

Under the plan, the state must report to CMS its adherence to quality measures and evaluations; furthermore, Georgia is financially accountable for the expansion. The state also is working on significant changes to its individual insurance market, including implementing a state-based reinsurance program and then moving to a private sector-run market, in the process transitioning from the federally facilitated marketplace.