House of Representatives

SB 1291

AHCCCS; disabilities; eligibility

Sponsors: Senators Cirillo and Nichols

W/D	Committee on Human Services
DP	Committee on Health
X	Committee on Appropriations
	Caucus and COW	This bill as introduced contains an Appropriation clause.
	As Passed the House

SB 1291 expands AHCCCS services to include a greater amount of people with disabilities

History

In December 1999, a federal law entitled The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) was passed. The act expands a state’s options and funding for the Medicaid buy-in for workers with disabilities. The act permits states to expand limits on resources and income. The act also provides the opportunity for employed individuals with medically determinable impairments to buy into Medicaid even though they may no longer be eligible for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) disability benefits. With the Medicaid buy-in, states are authorized to require individuals to pay premiums based on an income sliding scale.

SB 1291 adds the TWWIIA definition of an eligible person to AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) statutes in the areas of Acute Care Service and ALTCS (Arizona Long-Term Care System) and further stipulates that the person meet specific income requirements to be eligible. In addition, the bill expands current law to include certain provisions of TWWIIA resulting in increased eligibility for the acute and long-term care systems. Finally, SB 1291 exempts AHCCCS from rule making requirements to implement this plan and appropriates $1,591,000 from the state general fund to AHCCCS over the next two years.

Provisions

Applicable to both Acute Care and Long-Term Care Systems

· Expands the definition of eligible person.

· Requires AHCCCS begin providing services to eligible persons no later than January 1, 2002 upon federal approval.

· Sets the income requirements for a person’s adjusted income at no more than 250 per cent of the federal poverty level (FPL).

· Stipulates AHCCCS shall not include the person’s unearned income or the income of other family members (earned or unearned) to determine eligibility.

· Defines adjusted income.

· Mandates AHCCCS to adopt rules for collection of premiums.

· Stipulates that premiums may not exceed two per cent of the person’s adjusted income.

· Requires AHCCCS to develop and implement a process to determine eligibility.

· Allows AHCCCS to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Economic Security, county, or counties or contract with participating health plans to conduct eligibility determinations.

Applicable to AHCCCS in general

· Exempts AHCCCS from the rule making requirements set forth in statute for one year from the effective date of this act for implementation

· Requires AHCCCS shall hold at least two public hearings for comment on proposed rules and stipulates that the adopted rules be published.

· Appropriates $1,591,000 from the general fund to AHCCCS over the next two years (FY 2001-2002=$591,000 and 2002-2003=$1,000,000) upon approval from the Federal Health Care Financing Administration.

· Requires AHCCCS to develop and implement a process to determine Medically Improved Disabilities.

· Requires AHCCCS to submit a report to the Legislature by December 31, 2001 and prescribes reporting requirements.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

44th Legislature

Second Regular Session 3 April 3, 2001

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------