MO HEALTHNET ASSET LIMITS FOR PERMANENT AND TOTALLY DISABLED, BLIND, AND AGED CLAIMANTS (Section 208.010)

This act raises the asset limits for MO HealthNet permanent and totally disabled, blind, and aged claimants, starting in fiscal year 2017, from no greater than $1,000 for individuals to $2,000 and from under $2,000 for married couples to $4,000. For each fiscal year after 2017 until 2020, those asset limits shall be increased $1,000 and $2,000 respectively so that by fiscal year 2020 the limit for individuals shall be $5,000 and for married couples $10,000. Beginning in fiscal year 2021, these limits shall be modified to reflect any cost-of-living adjustments. Additionally, this act excludes from asset limit calculations medical savings accounts and independent living accounts as defined in the Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program.

This provision is substantially similar to SCS/SB 322 (2015), and provisions in HCS/SCS/SB 322 (2015), and similar to SB 322 (2015), HB 549 (2015), and HB 466 (2015).

DATA VERIFICATION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (Section 208.065)

This act requires the Department of Social Services, by January 1, 2016, to contract with a private vendor to verify that eligibility requirements are being met by recipients of public assistance, including supplemental nutrition assistance program; temporary assistance for needy families; women, infants, and children supplemental nutrition program; child care assistance; and MO HealthNet. The Department will retain final determination of eligibility. The Department and the contractor are required to file an annual report with the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the eligibility data.

This provision is identical to HB 985 (2015) and provisions in HCS/SCS/SB 35 (2015) and HCS/SCS/SB 322 (2015) and substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SCS/SB 38 (2015). This provision is similar to SB 151 (2015).

MMAC NOTIFICATION (Section 208.152.12)

Under this act, if the Missouri Medicaid Audit and Compliance Unit (MMAC) changes any interpretation or application of the requirements for reimbursement for MO HealthNet services from the interpretation or application previously applied in an audit of a MO HealthNet provider, the MMAC shall notify MO HealthNet providers of such change at least five days before the changes take effect. If the MMAC fails to notify a provider of such changes, then the provider shall be entitled to receive and retain reimbursement until proper notification is provided and shall not be liable for recoupment or other loss of any payment previously made prior to the five day notice period.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HB 589 (2015), SCS/HB 589 (2015), and CCS/HCS/SCS/SB 210 (2015) and similar to SB 431 (2015).

MO HEALTHNET AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT (Section 208.152.14)

This act requires the MO HealthNet Division to provide additional reimbursement to ambulance service providers who divert MO HealthNet recipients who do not require emergency treatment from emergency departments to urgent care or other primary care facilities.

This provision is substantially similar to HB 589 (2015) and HB 795 (2015).

SNAP WAIVER & APPLICATION OF SAVINGS (Section 208.244)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allows states with a certain level of unemployment to seek a waiver of the work requirement for assistance. Missouri currently has such a waiver. Beginning January 1, 2016, this act removes the waiver and reinstates the work requirements.

Any savings resulting from the changes to TANF and SNAP under this act shall be used to provide child care assistance for single parents, education assistance, transportation assistance, and job training for individuals receiving benefits under the programs as allowable under law.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in CCS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 24 (2015) and HB 640 (2015).

SARAH HASKINS