Feds Give Medicaid Waivers to 11 More States for Coronavirus Care

Federal regulators approved Medicare and Medicaid waivers Monday requested by 11 states seeking greater flexibility in fighting the coronavirus crisis.

The waivers provide relief on a number of fronts, including prior-authorization and provider-enrollment requirements, suspending nursing home pre-admission reviews, and enabling reimbursement to providers for care delivered in alternative settings, according to a statement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The announcement came 10 days after President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency. That action was needed to allow states to apply for waivers from Medicare and Medicaid requirements under Section 1135 of the Social ...