An Overview of Recent Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver Activity

Section 1115 waivers provide states an avenue to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from federal program rules. Waivers can provide states significant flexibility in how they operate programs and can have a significant impact on program financing. As such, waivers have important implications for beneficiaries, providers, and states. This brief provides an overview of Section 1115 waiver authority, the waiver approval process, and recent waiver activity and discusses the implications.