CT SB00860

Establishes a presumptive Medicaid eligibility system effective October 1, 2015, 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.

Requires access agencies to initiate home-care services within 5 days of functional eligibility determination, with the Department of Social Services making preliminary financial Medicaid eligibility determinations within 4 days and final determinations within 45 days of receiving a completed application.

Permits retroactive application of final Medicaid eligibility determinations for up to 90 days before an applicant's Medicaid application was completed, to the extent allowed under federal law.

Expands annual reporting requirements to include data on presumptive Medicaid eligibility determinations, persons determined eligible who later became ineligible, and cost comparisons between home care and institutional care for all program participants.

Amends provisions regarding long-term care insurance precertification to reference the new presumptive eligibility system and updates regulatory references across related statutes (sections 17b-253, 17b-354, 17b-617, and 38a-475), all effective July 1, 2015.