Ohio will seek a waiver from the CMS allowing the state to drop adult Medicaid beneficiaries who don't pay into a health savings account, regardless of their income.
Previously, legislators proposed that Medicaid beneficiaries with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level be required to put 2% of their family income into an HSA or lose coverage. The final, joint version signed by Republican Gov. John Kasich requires beneficiaries over age 18, except pregnant women, to annually contribute 2% of their income or $99, whichever is the lesser amount, into a health savings account, even if their income is under 100% of the poverty level.
The Kasich administration previously warned legislators that no other state has been allowed to drop Medicaid enrollees with incomes below the federal poverty line for not paying monthly fees or contributing to an HSA. Officials say they will draft the waiver request in the coming months and seek public input, though they acknowledged they could get pushback from the feds.
Ohio's Medicaid program serves more than 2.9 million residents, about a quarter of the state's population.
