What Medi-Cal Waivers are Available?

Two sections of the Social Security Act, Sections 1915 and 1115, allow California to apply to the federal government to obtain exemptions from particular Medicaid statutes.  These two sections prescribe two types of Medicaid waivers:

Program Waivers:  These waivers, authorized under Section 1915(b) or (c) of the Social Security Act, allow exemptions from parts of Section 1902 of the Social Security Act relating to managed care or home and community-based care.

Research and Demonstration Waivers:  Section 1115 allows the waiver of a broader scope of Medicaid laws in Section 1902 for the purpose of experimentation or testing pilot programs.

Source:   Medicaid Waivers: California’s Use of a Federal Option; March 2000; Valerie Lewis, M.P.P., M.P.H.; p 4, 7, 8