2022 -- S 2196

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LC004222

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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: Senators Cano, Lawson, Quezada, Anderson, Seveney, DiMario, Burke,
DiPalma, Kallman, and Murray

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-8-3.2. Eligibility for Medicare savings programs.

     (a) Beginning July 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the secretary of the executive office of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and

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

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

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

programs.

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

implement the provisions of this section.

     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

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

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

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

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

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

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

act would also eliminate the asset test for these programs.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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