NC S551

Modifies the definition of "estate" under Medicaid estate recovery law to include assets transferred through joint tenancy, survivorship, living trusts, and other arrangements for individuals who received qualified long-term care partnership benefits.

Requires personal representatives of estates for deceased Medicaid beneficiaries to file a release from the Division of Medical Assistance before closing probate estates, showing either payment of medical assistance costs, a waiver of claims, or a statement that no amount is due.

Requires trustees with authority to pay debts of deceased trust beneficiaries to notify the Department of Health and Human Services within 90 days if the beneficiary received Medicaid benefits, allowing the Division to make claims against trusts designated as available resources.

Designates additional healthcare provider types as "limited categorical risk" for Medicaid screening purposes: portable X-ray suppliers, religious nonmedical health care institutions, registered dieticians, and clearinghouses/billing agents.

Designates local health departments and nonemergency medical transportation as "moderate categorical risk" provider types for Medicaid screening purposes; effective October 1, 2013.