Conducting Robust Implementation Research for Section 1115 Demonstration Evaluations

Implementation research is an essential component of evaluating section 1115 Medicaid demonstrations because it helps states and CMS understand whether demonstration policies are working as expected and informs and strengthens research on demonstration outcomes. Because implementation research takes place while the demonstration is underway, it can help track changes over the course of the approval period and reveal possible modifications that could increase the demonstration’s chances of achieving its policy goals. In addition, implementation research can generate nuanced information about the factors.