Bill > HB3234

This bill modifies existing Missouri law regarding the recovery of public assistance funds from the estates of deceased recipients. It clarifies that any money paid by the Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Social Services, or Department of Mental Health, or by a county commission, to a recipient after January 1, 1978, becomes a debt owed by the recipient's estate to the state or county. The bill specifies that these debts will be collected according to Missouri's probate code and outlines procedures for allowing these claims, noting they will be considered either a sixth or eighth-class claim. Importantly, the bill states that such claims will not be pursued if the cost of collection outweighs the amount owed or if collecting the debt would negatively impact the surviving spouse or dependents' need for reasonable care and support from the estate. For claims related to money paid on behalf of a participant as defined by federal law (42 U.S.C. Section 1396), proof of expenditure, such as computerized records of payment requests, will be considered sufficient evidence. A significant new provision requires the Department of Social Services to file a claim against an estate within six months of receiving written or email notice of the estate's administration to recover debts. The bill also reiterates that these provisions do not apply to claims prohibited by federal law, and any recovered funds will be shared with the federal government if it is entitled to a portion. Finally, before a probate estate can be closed for a decedent enrolled in MO HealthNet (Missouri's Medicaid program), the estate's representative must provide proof of payment for all MO HealthNet costs due, unless waived by the MO HealthNet division.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3234&year=2026&code=R