2023 -- H 5993

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LC002255

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Vella-Wilkinson, Sanchez, Potter, Giraldo,
Felix, Speakman, Tanzi, Stewart, and Kazarian

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     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.

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     (a) Beginning November 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, in accordance with the

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provisions of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. ยง 1396 et. seq., the secretary

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of the executive office of health and human services shall increase the income amount used to

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determine eligibility by the department for a federal Medicare saving program, Qualified Medicare

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Beneficiary Program, by an amount equal to the income level at or below one hundred eighty-five

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percent (185%) of the federal poverty level.

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

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savings programs.

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     (c) The secretary shall submit to the department of human services any Medicaid state plan

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amendment or seek any waiver from the federal government necessary to implement the provisions

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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 amend the current law on Medicare eligibility by requiring the EOHHS

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secretary, annually, to increase the income amount used to determine eligibility by the department

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for a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount equal to the income level at or below

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one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level. The secretary would be

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prohibited from applying an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare savings programs.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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