Bill > HB5645

This bill introduces work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, requiring "applicable individuals" (those eligible under specific federal provisions or otherwise eligible) to demonstrate compliance with work requirements for three consecutive months before applying for or continuing to receive Medicaid benefits, with verification occurring at least quarterly and prohibiting self-attestation for initial eligibility. It also significantly restricts exemptions from these work requirements, requiring legislative approval for any additional optional exemptions beyond those medically certified for conditions like disabling mental disorders, physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, or substance use disorder treatment, and prohibits managed care organizations from approving exemptions. Furthermore, the bill strengthens eligibility verification for both SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid by requiring data matching with various state and federal agencies, including the Lottery Commission, Vital Registration Office, WorkForce West Virginia, U.S. Postal Service, Department of Revenue, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Social Security Administration, National Directory of New Hires, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the FBI, to identify changes in circumstances affecting eligibility, such as income, residency, or household composition, and mandates stricter verification of citizenship or alien status for Medicaid eligibility, prohibiting the acceptance of self-attestation for key eligibility factors like income, residency, identity, household composition, and citizenship or immigration status. The bill also prohibits illegal aliens from receiving SNAP benefits and limits retroactive Medicaid eligibility to one month prior to application for the expansion population and two months for the non-expansion population, while requiring legislative approval for any Medicaid state plan amendments or waivers that would expand coverage or increase state costs.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5645&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill