Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Section 1115 Demonstrations

As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ ongoing effort to assist states with addressing the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created a demonstration opportunity under the authority of section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act for states to test a variety of options to deliver the most effective care to their Medicaid beneficiaries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  CMS also developed a standardized section 1915(c) home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver “Appendix K” template to streamline state requests for flexibilities in delivering home and community-based services (HCBS) to Medicaid beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Appendix K template option is similarly available to states that provide HCBS coverage to beneficiaries under the authority of a section 1115(a) demonstration.  In accordance with these new opportunities, the states listed on this page have approved section 1115(a) demonstration programs to address the particular challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic in their state.