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2018 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB5002 (Senate Committee Approved)

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Priority Needs Access Program (language only)

Item 303 #15s

Item 303 #15s

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 278, after line 4, insert:

"PPP.1.  Subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, it is the intent that the following high priority items in the Health and Human Resources Secretariat be considered for future implementation:

(i) That the Department of Medical Assistance Services (Department) shall amend the Medicaid demonstration project (Project Number 11-W-00297/3) to (i) increase the income eligibility from 100 to 138 percent of the federal poverty level; (ii) expand program eligibility to individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness, substance use disorder, or a life-threatening or complex chronic medical condition; (iii) include in the benefit package inpatient hospital and emergency room services; and (iv) include the demonstration project in the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus managed care program. Such demonstration program shall be known as the Priority Needs Access Program. The total number of individuals enrolled in the Priority Needs Access Program as a result of the increase in income eligibility pursuant to clause (i) or the expansion of program eligibility pursuant to clause (ii) shall not exceed 20,000 individuals.

(ii) The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend the Community Living waiver to add 144 new waiver slots.

(iii) The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend the Family and Individual Support waiver to add 1,847 new waiver slots.

(iv) The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend the Building Independence waiver to add 305 new waiver slots.

(v) The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall ensure that children in the Medicaid and FAMIS programs are screened for adverse childhood experiences.  

2.  The language in paragraph PPP.1. does not provide an appropriation to meet the requirements of the second enactment clause of Senate Bill 915."



Explanation

(This amendment provides that it is the General Assembly's intent, subject to future appropriation, to increase coverage to currently unserved populations in need of behavioral health treatment, fund waiver slots for individuals on waiting lists for Medicaid waiver services, and other safety net programs reflected in Senate Bill 915. The bill creates the Priority Needs Access Program which modifies the existing Medicaid GAP waiver to: (i) include individuals with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level; (ii) add inpatient and emergency room hospital benefits; (iii) add qualifying diagnoses of mental illness, substance use disorder, or life-threatening or complex medical conditions; and (iv) moves the waiver population into Medicaid managed care. In addition, it provides for 2,296 Medicaid waiver slots to eliminate the Priority One waiting list for disabled individuals in need of services. Lastly, it includes language to ensure that children in Medicaid and FAMIS are being screened for adverse childhood experiences. These items are all subject to appropriation and will not take effect until an appropriation is provided for these purposes.)