CMS Defers AR Proposal to Limit Medicaid Expansion to Poverty Level

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday deferred a proposal by Arkansas to reduce income eligibility for adults in its Medicaid program from 138% to 100% of the federal poverty level. In approving the state’s request to amend and extend through 2021 the Arkansas Works program, which provides certain adult beneficiaries with premium assistance to purchase qualified health plan coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, CMS said it would not approve the request “at this time.” Under the Affordable Care Act, states can expand Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.