Bill > HB795

This bill, known as the Safeguarding Healthcare Integrity through Electronic Location Data (SHIELD) Act, requires the Department of Medicaid to establish electronic verification systems to improve program integrity for certain Medicaid services, specifically nonemergency medical transportation and in-home personal care services. These systems will utilize technologies like GPS-based verification and "breadcrumb location data" (which tracks a user's geographical position over time) to confirm the delivery of services, record timestamps, and capture route details. For transportation, this means tracking pickups, drop-offs, and the duration of the trip, while for personal care services, it involves verifying when providers clock in and out at a client's location. The bill outlines requirements for data transmission, security, and integration with existing Medicaid systems, and establishes timelines for implementation, including a pilot program and full rollout. It also includes provisions for exemptions from these requirements in specific circumstances, such as equipment failure or emergencies, and mandates the development of fraud-detection tools and periodic audits. The Department of Medicaid will be required to report annually to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of these systems, including cost savings, denied claims, and any impact on recipient access to care.