Specifications include, but are not limited to: Department of Human Services Health Care Administration Request for Comments on the Minnesota Substance Use Disorder System Reform Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver Extension Request DHS is announcing a second 30-day comment period on the proposed extension of the Minnesota Substance Use Disorder (SUD) System Reform Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver. The first comment period was from September 26, 2023 through October 27, 2023. Comments received during that period were submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in December 2023 with the SUD waiver extension request. CMS subsequently directed the state to make a summary of the extension request available and offer a second comment period. The summary is on the Department of Human Services’ federal waiver web page. There were no substantive revisions to the SUD waiver extension content posted on September 26, 2023. Comments received during the first period are on record with DHS and CMS and do not need to be submitted again. Comments for the second 30-day comment period must be received by February 16, 2024. The SUD waiver was first approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in August 2019. The SUD waiver provides federal Medicaid funds for enrollees receiving SUD treatment in facilities that meet the federal definition of an Institution for Mental Diseases (IMDs). This federal funding supports continued access to intensive residential SUD treatment services for Minnesotans struggling with addiction. The state proposes a five-year demonstration waiver extension under section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act to test the impact of evidence-based provider referral arrangements and practices on improving health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees with substance use conditions. The current waiver ends June 30, 2024. DHS invites public comment on the SUD waiver extension request.
