Researcher: JP Page 1 4/7/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 283
AN ACT ELIMINATING INCOME AND ASSET LIMITS FOR THE MED -
CONNECT PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND
INCREASING INCOME AND ASSET LIMITS FOR HUSKY C.
SUMMARY
This bill expands eligibility for certain Medicaid programs by (1)
eliminating the income and asset limits for Medicaid for Employees
with Disabilities (MED-Connect, see BACKGROUND) and (2)
increasing these limits for HUSKY C, which provides Medicaid
coverage for people who are at least age 65, blind, or living with a
disability.
Specifically, the bill eliminates the MED-Connect program’s current
annual income limit of $75,000 and its asset limit of $10,000 for
individuals and $15,000 for married couples. By law, unchanged by the
bill, enrollees must (1) be engaged in substantial and reasonable work
effort as determined by the Department of Social Services (DSS) and as
permitted by federal law and (2) pay a premium based on their
countable income over 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
Additionally, the bill raises the income limit to 138% of FPL for
HUSKY C (for 2022, 138% FPL is $18,754 for an individual and $25,268
for a couple). It authorizes the DSS Commissioner to seek federal
approval for a Medicaid waiver or a Medicaid state plan amendment to
implement this provision. Under current law, HUSKY C income limits
are 143% of Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) benefit levels, which
vary by region, with certain types of income excluded when
determining eligibility, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: HUSKY C Annual Net Income Limits After Deductions
Under Current Law
Region A
(Southwestern CT)
Regions B & C (Northern,
Eastern, & Western CT) 2022SB-00283-R000366-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 2 4/7/22
Single Person $11,814 $10,493
Married Couple $18,085 $16,781
The bill also generally increases HUSKY C asset limits from $1,600 to
$5,000 for individuals and from $2,400 to $7,500 for married couples.
Under federal law, certain assets are not counted when calculating the
applicant’s assets (e.g., one car per household, certain burial expenses,
home property, and certain life insurance policies) and long-term care
enrollees are subject to separate financial requirements.
The bill conforms to practice by requiring DSS to post required
notices of its intent to adopt regulations on the eRegulations system
rather than in the Connecticut Law Journal. It also makes several
technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities
MED-Connect provides full Medicaid coverage to employed
individuals who have a medically certified disability or blindness and
are working for taxable wages. Self-employed individuals must pay
self-employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service to qualify.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/24/2022)