2023 -- H 5797
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LC001503
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SE RVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Ajello, Giraldo, and Stewart
Date Introduced: February 22, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
40-8-3.2. Eligibility for Medicare savings programs. 3
(a) Beginning July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the secretary of the executive office of 4
health and human services shall increase income disregards used to determine eligibility by the 5
department of human services for the federal Medicare Savings Programs administered in 6
accordance with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 1396d(p) as follows: 7
(1) For the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount that equalizes the 8
income level at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level; 9
(2) For the Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount that 10
equalizes the income level at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level; 11
and 12
(3) For the Qualifying Individual Program by an amount that equalizes the income level at 13
or below two-hundred and twenty-five percent (225%) of the federal poverty level. 14
(b) The secretary shall not apply an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare savings 15
programs. 16
(c) The secretary shall submit any Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver necessary to 17
implement the provisions of this section. 18
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SE RVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
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This act would increase eligibility, beginning July 1, 2023, for the three (3) federal 1
Medicare Savings Programs as follows: (1) Increase to one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of 2
the federal poverty level for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program that pays for a person’s 3
Medicare Part B premium and additional cost-sharing in Parts A and B; (2) Increase to two hundred 4
percent (200%) of the federal poverty level for the Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary 5
Program that pays for a person’s Part B premium; and (3) Increase to two hundred twenty-five 6
percent (225%) of the federal poverty level for the restricted Qualifying Individual Program that 7
pays for a person’s Part B premium. The act would also eliminate the asset test for these programs. 8
This act would take effect upon passage. 9
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LC001503
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