Section 1332: State Innovation Waivers

Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver (also referred to as section 1332 waiver) to pursue innovative strategies for providing residents with access to high quality, affordable health insurance while retaining the basic protections of the ACA.

Section 1332 waivers are subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury (the Departments). In order for a section 1332 waiver to be approved, the Departments must determine that the waiver will provide coverage that is at least as comprehensive as the coverage provided without the waiver; provide coverage and cost-sharing protections against excessive out-of-pocket spending that are at least as affordable as without the waiver; provide coverage to at least a comparable number of residents as without the waiver; and not increase the federal deficit.

State Innovation Waivers have been available since January 1, 2017, are approved for up to five-year periods, and can be extended.

Additional Resources:

Contact:

For additional information or to submit your application, contact the State Innovation Waiver team at stateinnovationwaivers@cms.hhs.gov.

Pending Application(s):

Maryland:
On July 15, 2024, Maryland submitted a request to amend its State Innovation Waiver from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. On August 22, 2024, the Departments deemed Maryland’s waiver application complete. Federal public comments will be accepted from August 22, 2024, through September 20, 2024. To submit a public comment, please email stateinnovationwaivers@cms.hhs.gov. To view Maryland’s amendment application, please visit the Maryland waiver section of this webpage below.

Rhode Island:
On July 8, 2024, Rhode Island submitted a request to extend its State Innovation Waiver from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029. On August 7, 2024, the Departments deemed Rhode Island’s waiver application complete. Federal public comments will be accepted from August 7, 2024, through September 5, 2024. To submit a public comment, please email stateinnovationwaivers@cms.hhs.gov. To view Rhode Island’s extension application, please visit the Rhode Island waiver section of this webpage below.

New York:
On June 28, 2024, New York submitted a request to amend its State Innovation Waiver. On July 24, 2024, the Departments deemed New York’s waiver application complete. To view New York’s amendment application and public comments on this application, please visit the New York waiver section of this webpage below.

Montana:
On May 17, 2024, Montana submitted a request to extend its State Innovation Waiver from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029. On June 14, 2024, the Departments deemed Montana's waiver application as complete. To view Montana’s extension application, please visit the Montana waiver section of this webpage below.

Nevada:
The Departments held a public comment period on Nevada’s waiver application from February 12, 2024, through March 14, 2024. On March 21, 2024, Nevada requested that the Departments pause review of the waiver application. On August 23, 2024, Nevada submitted an updated waiver application and review of the waiver resumed. Federal public comments will be accepted from August 26, 2024, through September 25, 2024. To submit a public comment, please email stateinnovationwaivers@cms.hhs.gov. To view Nevada’s application and public comments on this application, please visit the Nevada waver section of this webpage below.

Regulations and Guidance

Fact Sheets, Data Briefs, and Evaluations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Letters

Application Tools and Resources