Bill > H1009

This bill establishes a program to provide primary and preventive health care services for uninsured dependent and adopted youths in the Commonwealth from birth through age 18, specifically for those ineligible for other medical benefits. The program, to be administered by the secretary of health and human services, will cover essential services like preventive pediatric visits, well-child checkups, immunizations, screening tests, and primary care services from various medical professionals, excluding emergency or post-stabilization hospital care. Additional covered services, at the secretary's discretion, may include dental care (excluding cosmetic or surgical procedures), durable medical equipment, urgent and emergency care at participating hospitals, eye and auditory screenings, outpatient surgery for specific procedures like tympanostomy tube placement and inguinal hernias, prescription drugs, and behavioral health services. The bill also mandates that the division of medical assistance provide at least 30 days' notice to relevant committees and the secretary of administration and finance before modifying program benefits or eligibility standards intended to control costs, including a description of cost changes per member. This section of the bill will take effect on July 1, 2015.