Bill Summary for S 429 (2017-2018)

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Summary date: 

Mar 28 2017

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
Senate Bill 429 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 28, 2017
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AS PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAID AND NC HEALTH CHOICE PROGRAMS.
Intro. by Hise, Pate, Krawiec.

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Bill summary

Sets forth the intent of the General Assembly to provide Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage for evidence-based home visits of pregnant women and families with young children designed to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, encourage positive parenting, and promote child development and school readiness that are consistent with the model used by Nurse-Family Partnership.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Medical Assistance (DMA), to begin providing Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage for home visits statewide or through a pilot program by July 1, 2018.

Directs DMA to develop a plan to implement changes necessary to provide Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage for home visits either statewide or through a pilot program. Prohibits DMA from making any changes to eligibility for the Medicaid or NC Health Choice programs, consistent with GS 108A-54(e)(4). Requires the plan to detail the design and scope of coverage for the home visits and to include the identification of any State Plan Amendments or waivers that may be necessary to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

Directs DMA to submit a report by November 1, 2017, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice and the Fiscal Research Division. Details six required contents of the report, including a copy of the plan to provide Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage for home visits statewide or through a pilot program no later than July 1, 2018, and an analysis of the total fiscal impact of adding the coverage for home visits for pregnant women and families with young children, as specified.

Sets forth that it is the intent of the General Assembly to appropriate funds for the cost of implementation during the 2018-19 fiscal year if the plan for Medicaid and NC Health Choice coverage for home visits cannot be implemented under the authority granted to DHHS under GS 108A-54(e). GS 108A-54(e) establishes that it is the duty of the DHHS Secretary to administer and operate the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs so long as the total expenditures, net of agency receipts, do not exceed the authorized budget for the programs.