Bill > S1082

This bill aims to strengthen asset verification for Medicaid eligibility across all states and territories by implementing comprehensive changes to how applicants and recipients are evaluated. The legislation would require all states to apply a uniform asset verification program to Medicaid applicants and recipients, removing previous exemptions for specific groups like aged, blind, or disabled individuals. States will be mandated to establish an electronic integrated asset verification system that checks an applicant's resources against eligibility standards, typically using the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limits as a benchmark. The bill provides a one-year implementation period for states to develop their verification systems, with potential flexibility for states experiencing economic hardship to delay implementation by up to 365 days. Additionally, the legislation requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to track the financial savings resulting from these asset verification efforts and mandates that states submit detailed reports about their eligibility determinations, including the number of asset checks conducted and their outcomes. If states fail to comply with the new requirements, they may be required to submit and implement a corrective action plan under federal oversight. Importantly, the bill preserves continuous eligibility protections for pregnant women, postpartum women, and children under 19, ensuring that these vulnerable populations are not negatively impacted by the new asset verification rules.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1082/all-info