During a March 8 webinar, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offered an overview of 1915(i) state plan options for states looking to expand access to home and community-based services. Presenters reviewed slides and answered questions about target populations, caps on enrollees, and federal participation.

Of note, these programs cannot limit enrollment based on geography, available slots, or institute waiting lists, and needs-based population target criteria must be less stringent than the nursing facility clinical eligibility requirement for 1915(c) waivers. CMS agreed that criteria could be established to target individuals with dementia diagnoses for service through the 1915(i) option.

If your state is considering pursuit of a 1915(i) program, Georgia Goodman would like to learn about your state’s plan and target populations.