Bill > HB1445

This bill, the Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act, makes significant changes to how individuals receiving services through the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, particularly those receiving home- and community-based services, are assessed for eligibility. Key provisions include removing the 90-day time limit for appealing a loss of eligibility for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration, ensuring that these services continue uninterrupted during an appeal. The bill also establishes new requirements for the Department of Health regarding eligibility determinations and redeterminations, emphasizing the use of existing data through "ex parte redeterminations" (eligibility checks without requiring new information from the recipient) and implementing procedures to prevent "procedural disenrollment" (losing services due to administrative issues rather than ineligibility). Furthermore, the Department must provide information about eligibility requirements, services, and rights in plain language and accessible formats, including accommodations for those with limited English proficiency or disabilities. The bill prohibits the Department from disenrolling individuals solely based on missing documentation or incomplete information unless all verification processes have been exhausted and the individual has been given a clear opportunity to provide the necessary information. It also mandates that if an individual is improperly disenrolled, their services must be reinstated retroactively. Finally, the bill requires the Department to report quarterly to the General Assembly on various aspects of eligibility redeterminations and disenrollments for home- and community-based services.