HB 06386 Summary

• Department of Social Services must render final Medicaid eligibility decisions promptly and provide written notice within 15 calendar days of the decision, effective July 1, 2023.

• Nursing home facilities are prohibited from taking any action to recover costs (including placing liens on property) from Medicaid applicants until the applicant's final eligibility decision is rendered and all appeal rights are exhausted.

• Civil penalty cap for nursing homes that fail to use rate increases for wage enhancements is increased from 50% to 75% of the total dollar amount of the unused rate increase, effective July 1, 2023.

• Commissioner of Public Health gains authority to assess civil penalties against nursing home licensees for substantial non-compliance with regulations, added as a new enforcement action option under section 19a-494.

• Commissioner of Public Health may assess civil penalties and issue citations against nursing home facilities that substantially fail to meet staffing level requirements established by Connecticut state agency regulations.