This Week in Health Care

PENNSYLVANIA
The House Aging and Adult Services Committee will hold a hearing on September 28 regarding Pennsylvania HB 291. This measure changes the eligibility date for PACENET and PACE program individuals. This measure changes the eligibility date for persons whos income has surpassed the maximum income limit of the PACENET or PACE programs due to social security cost-of-living adjustments from December 31, 2018 to 2020. This measure would take effect immediately upon passage.
Contact: Max Karlin

MASSACHUSETTS
The Joint Health Care Financing Committee will hold a hearing on September 28 regarding Massachusetts HB 1273. This measure amends Massachusetts code regarding Medicaid eligibility to establish criteria for determining an undue hardship waiver with respect to the period of ineligibility that results if a patient disposes of assets at less than fair market value to make themselves Medicaid eligible.
Contact: Max Karlin

The Joint Health Care Financing Committee will hold a hearing on September 28 regarding Massachusetts HB 1298. This measure temporarily modifies asset limits for the state Medicaid program. This measure is applicable to the executive office of health and human services and centers Medicare and Medicaid Services. This measure authorizes the executive office of health and human services to submit a time-limited state plan amendment to the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services requesting that the asset limits for the state's Medicaid program be increased from $2,000 to $4,000 for an individual and from $3,000 to $6,000 for a couple, for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Contact: Max Karlin

The Joint Health Care Financing Committee will hold a hearing on September 28 regarding Massachusetts HB 1318. This measure exempts certain amounts from income and resources considered regarding Medicaid eligibility. This bill exempts (i) the cash surrender value of any life insurance owned by the applicant or spouse without regard to face value and (ii) resources in the amount of $2000 per individual or $3000 per couple. This measure directs the Division of Medical Assistance to submit a state plan amendment to implement these provisions no later than 30 days after the effective date of this Act. 
Contact: Max Karlin

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing will hold a hearing on September 28 regarding Massachusetts HB 3873. This measure establishes an effective date for MassHealth coverage for new applicants under age 65. This measure provides that for applicants under age 65 who submit all required eligibility verifications within the time determined by the division of medical assistance, the start date of coverage for MassHealth begins on the first day of the third calendar month before the month of application.
Contact: Max Karlin

MONTANA
The Montana Department of Public Health proposed a rule to amend the qualifications for the Severe and Disabling Mental Illness HCBS waiver program. The Department published notice of the proposed rule in the Montana Register. The rule is scheduled for a hearing on September 30 and comments are due October 8.
Contact: Sarah Spaulding

The Montana Department of Public Health proposed a rule to incorporate the updated version of the manuals dated July 1, 2021, to include grammar and punctuation clean-up and changes in billing and reimbursement of services provided to persons who are recipients of developmental disabilities services through the Medicaid programs. The Department published notice that it intends to hold a second public hearing on this amended proposed rule in the Montana Register. This hearing is scheduled for September 30 and comments are due October 8.
Contact: Sarah Spaulding

GROUPS

There are no groups events this week.