LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 10, 2017 TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB337 by Collier (Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance benefits, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail.), As Engrossed No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Human Resource Code to suspend or terminate Medicaid eligibility forcertain individuals confined in a county jail. The bill would require the Health and HumanServices Commission (HHSC) to reinstate Medicaid eligibility within 48 hours after being notifiedif the individual's eligibility certification period is still active. The bill would permit an individualto remain eligible until the expiration of the period for which the individual was certified.The bill would amend the Local Government Code to permit a county sheriff to notify certainentities on the confinement and conviction of individuals receiving medical assistance benefitswithin 30 days of the individual's confinement or conviction. Under the provisions of the bill, ifthe sheriff or county provides notice of confinement or conviction, the sheriff would berequired to provide notice of the individual's release from custody with 48 hours of the release.The bill would require the sheriff to provide certain information regarding reinstatement of theindividual's eligibility for benefits to the individual upon the individual's release. The bill wouldrequire HHSC to establish a method to allow a sheriff or county employee to determine anindividual's Medicaid eligibility status. Under the provisions of the bill, a county, sheriff or anemployee is not liable in a civil action for damages resulting from the failure to comply with thissection. The bill would allow the sheriff to enter into an agreement with a third party experienced in providing reintegration resources to former prisoners to assist with the reinstatement of a person's eligibility.The bill would require a state agency to request a federal approval or waiver to implement aprovision of the bill, and would allow for a delay in the implementation of the provision untilapproval is granted.It is assumed there would be no significant fiscal impact to HHSC. It is assumed the agency couldabsorb a small cost in fiscal year 2018 for modifications to the Texas Integrated EligibilityRedesign System (TIERS). The impact to Medicaid caseloads is assumed to be small and any costor savings would not be significant.The bill would take effect September 1, 2017. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Association of Counties, there could be a cost to counties; however, the fiscal impact cannot be determined. Source Agencies:529 Health and Human Services Commission LBB Staff: UP, KCA, GG, BM, SD, JGA
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 10, 2017
TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB337 by Collier (Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance benefits, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail.), As Engrossed
TO: Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB337 by Collier (Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance benefits, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail.), As Engrossed
Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB337 by Collier (Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance benefits, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail.), As Engrossed
HB337 by Collier (Relating to the continuation of certain public benefits, including medical assistance benefits, for individuals after release from confinement in a county jail.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Human Resource Code to suspend or terminate Medicaid eligibility forcertain individuals confined in a county jail. The bill would require the Health and HumanServices Commission (HHSC) to reinstate Medicaid eligibility within 48 hours after being notifiedif the individual's eligibility certification period is still active. The bill would permit an individualto remain eligible until the expiration of the period for which the individual was certified.The bill would amend the Local Government Code to permit a county sheriff to notify certainentities on the confinement and conviction of individuals receiving medical assistance benefitswithin 30 days of the individual's confinement or conviction. Under the provisions of the bill, ifthe sheriff or county provides notice of confinement or conviction, the sheriff would berequired to provide notice of the individual's release from custody with 48 hours of the release.The bill would require the sheriff to provide certain information regarding reinstatement of theindividual's eligibility for benefits to the individual upon the individual's release. The bill wouldrequire HHSC to establish a method to allow a sheriff or county employee to determine anindividual's Medicaid eligibility status. Under the provisions of the bill, a county, sheriff or anemployee is not liable in a civil action for damages resulting from the failure to comply with thissection. The bill would allow the sheriff to enter into an agreement with a third party experienced in providing reintegration resources to former prisoners to assist with the reinstatement of a person's eligibility.The bill would require a state agency to request a federal approval or waiver to implement aprovision of the bill, and would allow for a delay in the implementation of the provision untilapproval is granted.It is assumed there would be no significant fiscal impact to HHSC. It is assumed the agency couldabsorb a small cost in fiscal year 2018 for modifications to the Texas Integrated EligibilityRedesign System (TIERS). The impact to Medicaid caseloads is assumed to be small and any costor savings would not be significant.The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, there could be a cost to counties; however, the fiscal impact cannot be determined.
Source Agencies: 529 Health and Human Services Commission
529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff: UP, KCA, GG, BM, SD, JGA
UP, KCA, GG, BM, SD, JGA