This bill would amend Medicaid rules to allow reimbursement for safety escorts accompanying nurses who provide community-based behavioral health care to Medicaid patients. It directly affects nurses working in community settings who currently lack coverage for safety support during visits. The key provision requires state Medicaid to pay for these escorts, subject to federal approval, to ensure nurse safety. This change would make safety escort costs reimbursable under Medicaid, reducing financial barriers for providers. The bill aims to protect nurses while delivering care in patients' homes or communities.
HB 5358 updates how Connecticut reimburses non-Medicaid residential care facilities (private facilities and regional education centers licensed for residential care but not certified for Medicaid's intellectual disability program). It changes the calculation method for reimbursement rates by allowing actual debt service (principal, interest, and repair reserves) on facility loans instead of fixed property costs, provided terms are reasonable. The bill also reinstates historical rate stability rules, limiting annual increases to 2% for certain fiscal years and requiring rates to reflect actual operating costs. This directly affects facilities receiving state payments for residential care services, ensuring reimbursement aligns with their actual financial obligations.
SB 328 requires Connecticut nursing homes to allocate revenue so that administrative and general costs (e.g., management salaries, facility maintenance) do not exceed the state-wide median allowable cost for such expenses. This policy directly affects nursing home facilities receiving Medicaid reimbursement by limiting how much they can spend on non-patient care operations, thereby directing more funds toward direct patient care. The bill establishes specific cost categories (including direct care, indirect care, and administrative costs) and sets maximum allowable levels for administrative spending. It aims to ensure nursing homes prioritize resident care through structured cost reporting and Medicaid rate adjustments tied to quality metrics. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with annual reporting requirements for facilities.
HB 5197 would update Connecticut's Medicaid eligibility rules for adults aged 19 and older by setting identical income standards across the HUSKY A, C, and D programs and eliminating asset tests. This means people's savings, property, or other assets would no longer affect whether they qualify for Medicaid coverage. The bill directly affects adults seeking Medicaid, particularly older adults and those with disabilities, by simplifying eligibility requirements. It aims to create a more consistent and accessible system, removing current barriers caused by varying income rules and asset considerations.
HB 5353 requires the Department of Social Services to submit quarterly reports starting July 1, 2026, on self-directed home care programs funded through Medicaid. The reports must include detailed data on fiscal intermediaries managing these programs, such as timesheet processing error rates, penalties for payroll delays, customer service response times, and communication logs with consumers and personal care attendants. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, personal care attendants, and the organizations administering payroll for these programs. The bill aims to increase transparency by mandating specific, measurable data points that were previously not systematically reported to oversight committees.
SB 329 expands Medicaid eligibility for older adults with disabilities by raising the income limit to 159% of the benefit amount for people with no income under the temporary family assistance program. The bill specifically excludes VA Aid and Attendance pensions for veterans and their spouses, and Social Security benefits for disabled adult children, from being counted as income when determining eligibility. This change, effective July 1, 2026, will make Medicaid coverage available to more older adults with disabilities who previously faced income barriers. The bill does not alter asset requirements for this group.
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Medicaid
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People with Disabilities
SB 330 allows spouses (and others) to be paid for providing personal care to elderly individuals enrolled in Connecticut's state-funded home-care program. It directly affects married seniors aged 65+ who qualify for the program but aren't eligible for Medicaid, meet income/assets limits, and are at risk of unnecessary nursing home placement. The bill adds a provision (replacing part of existing law) authorizing the Social Services Commissioner to establish training and documentation rules for compensated caregivers, including spouses. This changes the program by explicitly permitting spouse caregivers to receive payment for services they provide, rather than requiring them to be unpaid family members. The policy takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 5029 increases Medicaid provider rates based on phase one of a required rate study (public act 23-186) to ensure rates are competitive with neighboring states and improve access to quality healthcare. It directly affects healthcare providers who treat Medicaid patients, such as hospitals and clinics. The bill mandates rate adjustments to align with regional market standards, aiming to prevent provider shortages and maintain service availability. This policy change focuses on stabilizing provider participation in Medicaid by addressing current rate disparities.
SB 209 requires Connecticut's Medicaid program to increase reimbursement rates for nephrology services (kidney care) to at least 80% of Medicare rates for the same services. This directly affects kidney specialists and clinics that treat Medicaid patients. The bill mandates the state to file a report on how these rate changes impact provider participation, patient access to care, and state budget costs. It does not alter eligibility or coverage but adjusts payment rates for existing Medicaid services. The bill focuses on improving financial incentives for providers to participate in Medicaid.
SB 288 modifies rules for adding nursing home beds in Connecticut by creating specific exceptions to the existing bed moratorium. It allows new beds only for: (1) patients with AIDS or neurological rehabilitation needs, (2) continuing care facilities not using Medicaid, (3) relocating Medicaid beds per a strategic plan, (4) replacing facilities while closing existing ones, or (5) building small "nontraditional" facilities that reduce total beds. Nursing home operators seeking new beds must align with the Department of Social Services' strategic plan, prioritize person-centered care, and ensure no adverse impact on local bed availability. The bill directly affects nursing home providers applying for expansions or relocations under these new criteria.
