CT HB05919

Establishes a presumptive Medicaid eligibility system allowing the state to fund Connecticut home-care program services for up to 90 days for applicants requiring skilled nursing care who are likely to qualify for Medicaid, effective October 1, 2013.

Requires access agencies to conduct preliminary functional eligibility screening within 5 days and the Department of Social Services to make presumptive financial eligibility determinations within 72 hours of functional assessment.

Mandates final Medicaid eligibility determinations within 45 days of receiving a completed Medicaid application, with retroactive application of eligibility determinations during the presumptive period.

Directs the Commissioner of Social Services to seek federal Medicaid matching funds to offset state costs during the 90-day presumptive eligibility period and identify Older Americans Act funding for applicants not determined Medicaid-eligible.

Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to adopt regulations defining access agencies, implementing the presumptive eligibility system, and establishing uniform statewide standards and assessment tools for the program.