BOISE, Idaho — Idaho officials have submitted a Medicaid expansion waiver requiring patients obtain a referral from a primary physician before they can get family planning services such as birth control, abortions or pregnancy care.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Monday submitted the waiver to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Waivers are required when a state wants to deviate from Medicaid rules.
Voters authorized Medicaid expansion in November -- with an initiative that passed with 61% of the vote, after years of inaction by the Idaho Legislature.
But lawmakers earlier this year added restrictions requiring five waivers, including a work requirement waiver the state submitted late last month.
Idaho Medicaid expansion enrollment begins Nov. 1, and coverage starts Jan. 1.
(by Keith Ridler, Associated Press)
