MS HB170

Governor and Division of Medicaid directed to negotiate Section 1115 waiver with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand Medicaid coverage to adults earning up to 138% of Federal Poverty Level.

Newly eligible adults would receive private market-based health coverage through at least two Qualified Health Plans, with state paying premiums directly to insurers.

Cost-sharing required for enrollees at 50-138% of poverty level, capped at 2% of income for those below 100% poverty and 5% for those at 100-138% poverty, with Mississippi Healthy Living Account created to manage contributions.

Plan automatically terminates if federal contribution rate falls below 90%, and existing parents at 22% of poverty level would transition from traditional Medicaid to new plan.

Upon successful waiver approval, Division of Medicaid must amend state plan and implement expansion; takes effect July 1, 2020.