SB11-006 Summary

• Creates a voluntary alternative medical assistance program for medicaid-eligible people age 55 and older who choose to participate instead of traditional Medicaid.

• Participants receive 70% of the annual medical assistance benefits they would receive under traditional Medicaid in exchange for provider choice flexibility and a state waiver of all estate recovery rights.

• The state issues participants a monthly-funded debit card (one-twelfth of their annual 70% benefit allocation) to purchase long-term care, assisted living, home and community-based services, home health services, prescribed drugs, and other health or dental care from any provider.

• Participants are responsible for researching and selecting services and must provide all additional resources needed for care beyond the 70% benefit amount allocated to them.

• Program requires federal waiver authorization and includes annual eligibility redeterminations and physician reassessments of care levels; the entire program automatically repeals July 1, 2015 if federal approval is denied or if approval is granted.