Senate Bill 20-033 Summary

• Defines "Work Incentives Eligibility Group" as a category of Medicaid eligibility for individuals age 65 and older with disabilities who would otherwise qualify based on disability but not income or assets.

• Requires the state department to seek federal authorization to allow individuals in the Work Incentives Eligibility Group to buy into Medicaid after they become ineligible under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.

• Mandates submission of a state plan amendment by July 1, 2022 to use less restrictive income and resource methodologies matching the existing Medicaid buy-in program standards.

• Eliminates the provision allowing the state to pay employer-sponsored health insurance premiums as an alternative to Medicaid coverage.

• Appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for fiscal year 2020-21 to implement the program, with anticipated $50,000 in federal matching funds.