Overview
- A federal judge denied a preliminary injunction request on Thursday, leaving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ interim rule in place so states can continue preparing for a Jan. 1 implementation deadline.
- The rule tightens the definition of “medically frail” by requiring evidence that a condition substantially impairs a person’s ability to meet work or community engagement requirements rather than relying on a diagnosis alone.
- CMS has told the court it will reimburse 90% of states’ technology and system costs, but states say the remaining expense and the tight timetable create major operational burdens for eligibility systems and outreach.
- Medical groups and patient advocates warn the rule will add paperwork for doctors, complicate clinical care, and could lead to large coverage losses for vulnerable people as some fail to prove work history or qualify for exemptions.
- The court did not resolve the merits, ordered an expedited briefing schedule to decide the case before January, and left the injunction denial without prejudice so states may seek emergency relief again if new evidence emerges.