CMS approves Nebraska Medicaid waiver with work requirement

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday approved a five-year Medicaid waiver for Nebraska that allows newly covered adults who are not medically frail or pregnant to access additional benefits if they participate in certain wellness, work, volunteer or training activities.

The additional benefits include vision and dental services and over-the-counter medications for beneficiaries who participate in certain wellness activities beginning in April 2021 and work, volunteer or training activities beginning in April 2022.

The state expects to enroll 41,000 to 51,000 beneficiaries in the demonstration in April 2021, with 45% of them opting to receive the additional benefits.