Medicaid Waivers: State Tracker (Section 1115)
- States are increasingly utilizing section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers to test innovative strategies within their Medicaid programs.
- These waivers often reflect state-specific priorities and shifting federal policies under different administrations.
- Approved and pending Section 1115 waiver provisions, including expansions and restrictions affecting eligibility, benefits, social determinants of health, and delivery system reforms, are tracked.
States are actively reshaping their Medicaid programs. section 1115 Medicaid waivers empower states to pilot innovative strategies. These waivers unlock adaptability, allowing states to go beyond existing federal requirements and address diverse needs including eligibility, benefits, and social determinants of health.Nearly every state leverages these waivers, reflecting their priorities. Find in-depth tracking of approved and pending Section 1115 waiver provisions. Updated data offers insights on eligibility, and delivery system reforms. News Directory 3 is your source. Discover the trends and changes in state medicaid programs. What impacts the healthcare landscape? Discover what’s next in the ever-evolving world of Medicaid.
States Explore New Medicaid Approaches Through waivers
Updated June 23, 2025
States are increasingly utilizing section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers to test innovative strategies within their Medicaid programs. These waivers, if approved by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, allow states to deviate from federal requirements, provided the new approach is likely to advance Medicaid’s objectives. This mechanism grants states meaningful latitude in program operation, exceeding the flexibility already available.
These waivers often reflect state-specific priorities and shifting federal policies under different administrations. Almost every state currently has at least one active Section 1115 waiver, with some states operating multiple waivers concurrently. Recent trends in waiver implementation are detailed in available resources.
Approved and pending Section 1115 waiver provisions, including expansions and restrictions affecting eligibility, benefits, social determinants of health, and delivery system reforms, are tracked. This data is updated as waivers are posted on Medicaid.gov. Detailed information on inclusion criteria, specific provisions, and a list of acronyms are also accessible.
What’s next
The ongoing evaluation of these Section 1115 Medicaid waivers will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different approaches to healthcare delivery and access across the nation. Further analysis will determine which strategies best serve Medicaid beneficiaries and inform future policy decisions regarding Medicaid programs and the role of state innovation.