Kentucky Medicaid Waiver Could Hurt Those With Substance Use Disorders

Experts and advocates are concerned the recently approved Kentucky Medicaid waiver that imposes work requirements on certain beneficiaries could cause people suffering from opioid addiction to lose coverage as exemptions for medically frail adults are undefined and the waiver doesn't explain exactly how substance abuse treatment counts as an approved work activity. Those exempt from fulfilling the Kentucky Medicaid waiver's 80-hour per month work requirement includes “medically frail adults.” Beneficiaries with chronic substance use disorders are medically frail, according to...