2016 -- H 7123

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LC003587

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Shekarchi, Tanzi, Naughton, and Barros

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     40-8-3.2. Eligibility for Medicare savings programs. -- (a) Beginning July 1, 2016, and

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annually thereafter, the secretary of the executive office of health and human services shall

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increase income disregards used to determine eligibility by the department of human services for

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the federal Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and

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the Qualifying Individual Programs, administered in accordance with the provisions of 42 U.S.C.

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1396d(p), by an amount that equalizes the income levels used to determine eligibility for said

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programs to income levels at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal

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poverty level.

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     (b) The secretary shall not apply an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare savings

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program.

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     (c) The secretary shall submit any Medicaid state plan amendment necessary to

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implement the provisions of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

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     This act would require the secretary of the executive office of health and human services

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to increase income disregards to determine eligibility for certain Medicare cost-sharing programs

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by an amount that equalizes the income levels to one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the

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federal poverty level.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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