CMS Approves 10-Year SeniorCare Waiver Extension Request
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted a 10-year extension of the SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program. SeniorCare, which is designed to help seniors age 65 and older with their prescription drug costs, will continue to operate through December 31, 2028, as a result of the extension.
With the 10-year extension, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) remains committed to providing quality and affordable prescription drug coverage to Wisconsin's seniors.
SeniorCare Waiver Application Submitted to CMS
On June 15, 2018, the DHS submitted an application requesting a 10-year extension of its Section 1115 Research and Demonstration waiver, known as the SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program, to CMS.
Additional information about the waiver application is available on the CMS website.
Draft Waiver Application and Attachments
Draft Waiver Application
Draft Waiver Appendices
Budget Neutrality Tables
Public Input
A 30-day public comment period for the SeniorCare waiver renewal application was held May 7 through June 7, 2018.
DHS held public hearings around the state to seek input on the SeniorCare waiver renewal application.
May 10, 2018, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Wilson Park Senior Center
Wilson Park Auditorium
2601 W. Howard Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53221
Meeting Agenda
May 14, 2018, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Department of Health Services
1 W. Wilson St., Room 751
Madison, WI 53703
Meeting Agenda
- SeniorCare Notice of Public Hearing
- Watch the May 14 public hearing
- View the PowerPoint presentation for the public hearings English (PDF) | Hmong (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
History of SeniorCare
On July 1, 2002, Wisconsin received the necessary waiver approvals from CMS to operate a portion of SeniorCare as a five-year demonstration project. Through its partnership with the federal government, the SeniorCare waiver extends Medicaid eligibility through Title XIX to cover prescription drugs as a necessary primary health care benefit.
Population and Numbers Served
Seniors age 65 and older with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level receive services under the SeniorCare waiver (levels 1 and 2A).
Over 50,000 seniors per month receive services under the SeniorCare waiver (levels 1 and 2A). With the addition of seniors with income over 200 percent of the federal poverty level who receive services under non-waiver SeniorCare (levels 2B and 3), over 93,000 seniors per month receive SeniorCare services.
