ELIGIBILITY REFORM/MEDICAID/SNAP.

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View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
Senate Bill 422 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 28, 2017
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR REGULAR ELIGIBILITY MONITORING FOR THE MEDICAID PROGRAM, TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION BENEFITS TO COOPERATE WITH THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM AS A CONDITION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS, AND TO LIMIT THE MEANS BY WHICH A PERSON MAY BE GRANTED CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR PURPOSES OF RECEIVING FOOD AND NUTRITION BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP).
Intro. by Krawiec, Pate, Hise.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate Action) (Mar 29 2017)

Bill History:

S 422

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 28 2017 - View Summary

    Enacts GS 108A-55.5, directing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review information on at least a quarterly basis concerning changes in circumstances that may affect medical assistance beneficiaries' eligibility to receive medical assistance benefits. Directs DHHS to share the information directly with, or make the information available to, the county department of social services that determined the beneficiary's eligibility. Specifies that the information reviewed by DHHS is to include earned and unearned income, employment status and changes in employment, residency status, enrollment status in other State-administered public assistance programs, financial resources, incarceration status, death records, lottery winnings, and enrollment status in public assistance programs outside of this State.

    Directs a county department of social services to promptly review the information provided or made available by DHHS to determine if the information indicates a change that may affect a medical assistance beneficiary's eligibility to receive medical assistance benefits and either take no action if no discrepancy or change is found, or provide written notice to the beneficiary describing the circumstances of a discrepancy or change in circumstances that would affect the beneficiary's eligibility for medical assistance benefits. Requires the notice to include that the beneficiary will have 10 business days from the time of mailing to respond, that a response from the beneficiary must be in writing, that self-declarations made by the beneficiary will not be accepted as verification of information in the response, and the consequence of taking no action.

    Upon the expiration of 10 business days from the time of mailing the notice, directs the county department of social services to redetermine the beneficiary's eligibility for medical assistance and provide the beneficiary with proper notice under GS 108A-79 if (1) the beneficiary did not respond to the notice; (2) if the beneficiary responds to the notice, disagrees with the information in the notice, and the department determines there is no error after reinvestigating the matter; or (3) if the beneficiary responds and confirms the information. Directs the county department of social services to take no further action if the beneficiary responds to the notice, disagrees with the information in the notice, and upon reinvestigating the matter, the department finds that there has been an error and that the beneficiary's eligibility to receive medical assistance benefits has not been affected.

    Authorizes the county department of social services to request additional documentation from the beneficiary if at any time after receiving a beneficiary's response to the notice, the county department determines there is a risk of fraud, misrepresentation, or inadequate documentation. Clarifies that the statute does not preclude DHHS or any county department of social services from receiving or reviewing additional information related to a beneficiary's eligibility for medical assistance benefits obtained in a manner other than that provided in this statute.

    Effective January 1, 2018.

    Authorizes DHHS to sign a memorandum of understanding with any department, agency, or division of the State to obtain information concerning individuals enrolled in Medicaid that indicates a change in circumstances that may affect the individuals' eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits under GS 108A-55.5(a).

    Authorizes DHHS to contract with one or more vendors to provide information concerning individuals enrolled in Medicaid that indicates a change in circumstances that may affect the individuals' eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits under GS 108A-55.5(a). Requires that any contract entered into under this provision must establish annualized savings to the State exceeding the combined total of (1) the cost of the contract and (2) the expenditures by the State, net any receipts, for the period since eligibility was last determined for the individuals enrolled in Medicaid who had an identifiable change in circumstances affecting the individuals' eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits under GS 108A-55.5(a).

    Directs DHHS to investigate joining any multistate cooperative to identify individuals who are also enrolled in public assistance programs outside of the State, specifically the National Accuracy Clearinghouse. Directs DHHS to report no later than three months after the effective date of this act to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice any finding that explains the reasons for joining or not joining any multistate cooperative, and the date membership is expected if a determination is made to join the multistate cooperative.

    Amends GS 108A-52 to direct DHHS to require applicants for electronic food and nutrition benefits to cooperate with the Child Support Enforcement Program in accordance with Article 9 of GS Chapter 110 as a condition of eligibility for food and nutrition benefits pursuant to 7 CFR 273.11(o) and (p). Prohibits DHHS from granting a person categorical eligibility under 7 USC 2014(a) for the food and nutrition services program based on noncash, in-kind, or other benefit unless expressly required by federal law. Makes conforming changes.