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2003 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1400 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Brink
FAMIS 12 Months Continuous Coverage

Item 324 #4h

Item 324 #4h

First Year - FY2003 Second Year - FY2004
Health And Human Resources
Medical Assistance Services, Department of FY2003 $0 FY2004 $1,700,000 GF
FY2003 $0 FY2004 $3,100,000 NGF

Language
Page 308, line 13, strike "$54,440,764" and insert "$59,240,764".
Page 310, after line 50, insert:
"N.  The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend its Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan to provide 12 months of continuous coverage for eligible children as permitted in Title XXI of the Social Security Act.  The Department shall promulgate emergency regulations to become effective within 280 days or fewer from the enactment date of this act."


Explanation
(This amendment would guarantee a full year of health coverage for a FAMIS child, regardless of fluctuations in a family's income or circumstances. This prevents intermittent terminations and keeps children from shifting between FAMIS and Medicaid, helping to promote a medical home for the child. Twelve-month continuous eligibility would also reduce administrative costs related to eligibility processing by 2 to 12 percent for local Departments of Social Services and the FAMIS Central Processing Unit. At least 27 states use 12-month coverage in their state children's health insurance and/or Medicaid programs.)