The Utah Department of Health (Department) is pleased to invite input regarding the development of a new Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program Section 1115 Waiver demonstration initiative. This pilot represents another effort by the State to transform its Medicaid program. Able bodied individuals in the pilot will be required to give service to the community in exchange for their program benefit. This service will help build a sense of contribution to the program and also add to the client's program experience.

Utah will submit a draft waiver amendment for review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The formal waiver amendment request will be submitted after public comment is received.

In response to the recently passed H.B. 211, Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program (2011 General Session), the Department will be submitting a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver amendment authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The waiver amendment, if approved, will establish a new Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program.

The waiver amendment will allow the state to modify the enrollment rules for the Primary Care Network (PCN) for a selected group of less than 100 people. In addition to the established PCN eligibility guidelines, this new PCN eligible group will be required to perform regular community service as a condition of eligibility. The recipients will receive the same medical benefit afforded to other PCN recipients.

The Department is committed to an extensive public process and wants everyone to have an opportunity to see the draft waiver amendment, weigh in on key provisions of the amendment, and offer comments. The waiver application will be available for public review and comment on November 15, 2011, at: http://health.utah.gov/medicaid/HB211proposal.htm

The Department will provide opportunities for input. An informal work group will meet from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM on November 10, 2011, at the Cannon Health Building in Room 128, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. A formal public hearing will be held following the Medical Care Advisory Committee meeting from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM on November 17, 2011, at the Cannon Health Building in Room 125, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Department will be accepting formal input and comments through December 2, 2011. Comments may be directed to the Utah Department of Health, Division of Medicaid and Health Financing, PO Box 143102, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-3102, or to: cdevashrayee@utah.gov.