2022 -- H 7445

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LC004718

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Barros, Felix, Kislak, McGaw, Batista, Ajello,
and Diaz

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2022

     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 July 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the secretary of the executive office of

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health and human services shall increase income disregards used to determine eligibility by the

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department of human services for the federal Medicare Savings Programs administered in

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accordance with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 1396d(p) as follows:

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     (1) For the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount that equalizes the

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income level at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level;

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     (2) For the Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount that

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equalizes the income level at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level;

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and

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     (3) For the Qualifying Individual Program by an amount that equalizes the income level at

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or below two-hundred and twenty-five percent (225%) of the federal 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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programs.

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     (c) The secretary shall submit any Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver 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 increase eligibility for the three (3) federal Medicare Savings Programs as

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follows: (1) Increase to one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level for the

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Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program that pays for a person’s Medicare Part B premium and

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additional cost-sharing in Parts A and B; (2) Increase to two hundred percent (200%) of the federal

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poverty level for the Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program that pays for a person’s

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Part B premium; and (3) Increase to two hundred twenty-five percent (225%) of the federal poverty

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level for the restricted Qualifying Individual Program that pays for a person’s Part B premium. The

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act would also eliminate the asset test for these programs.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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