SB 114 Summary

• Establishes a presumptive Medicaid eligibility system allowing the Department of Social Services to provide up to 90 days of home-care services to applicants who require skilled nursing care and are likely eligible for Medicaid, with final eligibility determination within 45-90 days depending on disability status.

• Requires access agencies to initiate home-care services within 5 days of functional eligibility determination and permits retroactive application of Medicaid coverage for up to 90 days before the applicant's official application date.

• Expands the state-funded home-care program for elderly persons age 65+ who are not Medicaid-eligible, with income limits based on nursing home eligibility levels and asset limits of 150% of the federal community spouse protected amount for single individuals or 200% for couples.

• Requires written agreements from presumptively eligible applicants acknowledging state-funded services are limited to 90 days and mandating completion of a Medicaid application at time of screening or within 4 days.

• Expands reporting requirements to the joint standing committee on human services to include detailed data on presumptively eligible participants, Medicaid denial rates, comparative costs, and savings analysis.