HI HB1236

Establishes a two-year working disabled adults pilot program (ending June 30, 2017) to expand medicaid eligibility for workers with disabilities ages 19-64 who meet Social Security Administration disability requirements and are not eligible for other medicaid programs.

Requires the pilot program to disregard earned income of at least $1,000 per month and maintain asset limits no lower than the medicaid aged, blind, and disabled group standards.

Creates a permanent medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities (effective July 1, 2017) for individuals ages 18+ with disabilities who are gainfully employed, have income not exceeding 300% of federal poverty level, and have assets not exceeding a department-determined amount (minimum $25,000).

Sets minimum enrollment limit of 200 individuals for the medicaid buy-in program and allows the department to require premiums or cost-sharing charges and adopt necessary administrative rules.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to support the pilot program, with encouragement for collaboration with the University of Hawaii center on disability studies for outreach and evaluation.