The Kaiser Family Foundation has Long Term Care and Dual Eligibles: Overview and Managed Care Opportunities released a brief exploring aspects of California’s Section 1115 Medicaid waiver, which makes approximately $8 million in federal matching funds available to expand Medicaid coverage over five years.  KFF highlights aspects of the waiver that other states can draw upon in expanding their Medicaid programs under health reform, including its preservation of the county-based safety net system and California’s expanded use of managed care for disabled and elderly beneficiaries.

From the report:

On November 2, 2010, California received approval for its ”Bridge to Reform” Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver.  Under this demonstration, up to $7.7 billion in federal Medicaid matching funds will be available over a five-year period to assist the state and its counties in implementing the health care coverage expansions that will occur in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The demonstration has three key components: a Low-Income Health Program (LIHP), under which counties extend coverage to low-income adults before 2014; a Delivery System Reform Incentive Pool (DSRIP), under which safety net providers prepare their delivery systems for 2014; and the enrollment of seniors and persons with disabilities (SPDs) currently eligible for Medicaid into managed care plans. This brief provides an overview of the demonstration.

Full report: California's "Bridge to Reform" Medicaid Demonstration Waiver (PDF | 575.62 KB)

Kaiser Family Foundation.  (2011).  California's "bridge to reform" Medicaid demonstration waiver.