The Maine Department of Health and Human Services filed a federal section 1115 waiver application to institute Medicaid work requirements Aug. 2.
Here are three things to know about the application.
1. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services seeks federal approval to enact a community engagement and work requirement for "able-bodied adults" receiving coverage through MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program. The requirements would be similar to regulations the department implemented as part of its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 2014.
2. Under the proposed waiver, the department would require applicable Medicaid beneficiaries ages 19 to 64 work at least 20 hours per week, contribute monthly premiums and pay $10 to use the emergency department for nonemergency services. Premiums would range from $0 for beneficiaries at less than 51 percent of the federal poverty level to $40 for beneficiaries at more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
3. Ricker Hamilton, acting commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said the application intends to "preserve limited financial resources for the state's most needy," "promote financial independence and transitions to employer sponsored or other commercial health insurance" and "encourage individual responsibility for one's health and healthcare costs."