Connecticut Senate Bill SB00283

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/19
• Refer: 1/23/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Achieving Parity In Medicaid Eligibility And Reimbursement For Home Care.

Impact

If enacted, SB00283 would require the Commissioner of Social Services to amend existing statutes within title 17b of the general statutes. This change means that the state would have to apply identical eligibility and reimbursement standards to home care services as it does to institutional care, thus promoting fairness in Medicaid accessibility. This could have significant ramifications for the state's healthcare landscape, particularly for elderly and disabled individuals who rely on home care services.

Summary

SB00283, titled 'An Act Concerning Achieving Parity In Medicaid Eligibility And Reimbursement For Home Care,' aims to establish equitable guidelines for Medicaid eligibility and reimbursement for home care services similar to those applied to institutional care. The bill is introduced with the intention of closing the accessibility gap that exists between home care and institutional care concerning Medicaid provisions, addressing the growing need for home care options as populations age and as individuals seek more independent living arrangements.

Contention

While the bill is generally aimed at improving Medicaid fairness, it may attract some contention regarding the potential implications for state budgets and the healthcare system. Opponents may argue about the financial strain that equalizing reimbursement rates could impose on state resources or the potential impact on existing institutional care facilities. Additionally, there may be discussions around the capacity for home care services to meet the increased demand if reimbursement rates are raised, which could affect the quality and availability of care.