Medicaid Access for Military Families: Ensuring Coverage After Relocation.
This bill amends the Social Security Act to ensure active duty service members and their dependents maintain Medicaid eligibility and access to essential services when temporarily relocated to a new state. The relocation will be treated as a 'temporary absence,' allowing individuals to retain their eligibility and, crucially, remain on waiting lists for home and community-based services (HCBS). These changes aim to provide continuity of care for military families facing frequent moves, with implementation scheduled for January 1, 2028.
Key points
Continuous Eligibility: Temporary relocation of active duty service members and their dependents to another state will be deemed a 'temporary absence' for Medicaid residency rules, preserving their eligibility in the original state.
HCBS Waiting List Protection: Individuals on a waiting list for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) will remain on that list in their original state despite the temporary move.
Coverage for Dependents: The protections extend to dependents of active duty members, ensuring they receive medical assistance in the temporary relocation state.
Implementation Timeline: States must comply with these new Medicaid plan requirements starting January 1, 2028.
Expired
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