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Several groups, including Arkansas' largest health insurer, have critiqued components of the state's plan to seek federal approval for a revised version of the private option and a waiver extension through 2021. The state Department of Human Services received nine written comments prior to Friday's public comment deadline. The commenters, including private residents and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, attacked a provision that would eliminate retroactive coverage for enrollees to "better align" the program with commercial insurance coverage. Currently, Medicaid covers up to 90 days of medical expenses incurred before the date an enrollee applied. (Field, 6/20)

Indiana remains at odds with the federal government over how to evaluate the state’s unique Medicaid program, a standoff that affects not only Indiana, but also other states looking to adopt Indiana’s model. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave Indiana a deadline of June 17 to finalize a data-sharing agreement on the jointly funded health care program for the poor. Instead, Indiana responded in a letter Friday that the federal government hasn’t satisfied the state’s concerns about data safety. (Groppe, 6/20)

The state Department of Health said today that it is throwing the New Orleans nonprofit Alternative Livings Inc. off the state Medicaid program after three family members who run the organization were charged in a federal indictment. (Litten, 6/20)