Bill > HB153

This bill modifies eligibility for MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid program, by establishing new categories of beneficiaries and benefit packages. It defines "medically frail" individuals as those with disabling mental disorders, chronic substance use disorders, serious medical conditions, or significant physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, or those with a Social Security disability determination. Starting January 1, 2016, individuals aged 19 to 65 who are not pregnant, not eligible for Medicare, and not otherwise enrolled in MO HealthNet, with household income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, will be eligible for an alternative, limited package of MO HealthNet benefits, unless they are medically frail, in which case they will receive full benefits. The bill also outlines conditions under which this expanded eligibility could be discontinued, including a reduction in federal funding or a vote by the General Assembly, and mandates the MO HealthNet oversight committee to research potential cost savings and alternative benefit structures.