Popular program extended until April 30th while federal government reviews state’s request to keep it in place until 2028.

GREEN BAY, WI - State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) said today he received word from Department of Health services Secretary Andrea Palm that Wisconsin’s SeniorCare prescription drug program has received another 30-day temporary waiver until April 30th while the federal government continues its review of the state’s request for a longer 10-year waiver that would keep the popular program in place until December 31st, 2028.

“We were hearing from a number of constituents who were concerned that SeniorCare was going to expire on March 31st so we reached out to Secretary Palm to encourage the department to do all that can be done to see that SeniorCare continue,” said Hansen. “I’m happy to say that the federal Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) granted another temporary waiver until April 30th to give them more time to review the state’s waiver request.”

In June of 2018 the Department of Health Services applied for an extended ten-year waiver for SeniorCare, one of the nation’s best prescription drug plans that helps 90,000 Wisconsin seniors afford their needed medications. Unfortunately, full approval has not yet been granted by the federal government. Instead CMS has provided temporary waivers for the program to continue while Wisconsin’s request is approved. An earlier extension expired on March 31st, but an additional 30 day waiver was granted on April 1st.

“There is some confusion and concern among my constituents who rely on SeniorCare to be able to purchase their needed medications due to the temporary waivers. This temporary extension is good news, but hopefully, we’ll get full approval soon so people can have confidence that SeniorCare will be there for them for many years to come.”