Connecticut Senate Bill SB00714

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/15
• Refer: 1/23/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Presumptive Medicaid Eligibility For Home Care.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend section 17b-342 of the Connecticut general statutes, thereby expediting the approval process for long-term care service recipients. By ensuring that eligible individuals can begin receiving home care services sooner, SB00714 is expected to alleviate some of the pressures on state resources associated with long-term care support. This could lead to improved quality of life for participants and a more efficient use of healthcare resources in the state.

Summary

SB00714, introduced by Senator Kelly, aims to establish presumptive Medicaid eligibility for the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly. The bill is designed to help individuals who meet the specified income and asset criteria while also requiring that their medical needs match or exceed the level of care provided in skilled nursing facilities. The focus is on streamlining access to essential home care services, allowing eligible persons to receive the required assistance without undue delays.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB00714 may highlight issues related to funding and resource allocation, especially concerning how this presumptive eligibility will be implemented without placing additional strains on the state's financial commitments. Some stakeholders might express concerns about the criteria used to determine medical necessity and the overall impact on the state’s Medicaid program. Balancing the needs of the elderly population with the fiscal limitations of the state's healthcare budget could be a point of contention among legislators and advocacy groups.