Healthcare (Medicaid)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 131: A bill for an act relating to evidence-based maternal and infant home visiting services.

SF 131 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education to collaborate on expanding evidence-based home visiting services for pregnant women and infants. The bill directs them to leverage Medicaid and other funding to provide prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum support - including mental/physical health, social, and educational services - tailored to individual needs. It also authorizes a feasibility study to explore increasing Medicaid coverage for these services and mandates a 2026 report tracking the number of people served. The legislation focuses on coordination, avoiding duplication, and meeting federal evidence-based standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid-funded maternal/infant home visiting services including mental/physical health support, directing state departments to leverage healthcare funding for expanded coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 408: A bill for an act providing an appropriation to eliminate the current waiting lists for the Medicaid home and community-based services waivers.

HF 408 appropriates state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to eliminate all waiting lists for Iowa's Medicaid home and community-based services waivers as of June 30, 2025. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to use funds calculated by a Medicaid forecasting group (including staff from health, management, and legislative services agencies) to remove individuals from waiting lists. This funding specifically targets waiver programs that allow Medicaid recipients to receive care at home or in community settings instead of institutions. The amount spent and number of people served will be reported in the first fiscal year 2025-2026 forecasting report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to eliminate Medicaid waiver waiting lists, directly funding essential public health services within state budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates state funds to eliminate Medicaid home and community-based services waiting lists, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage and improving patient access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 425: A bill for an act relating to reimbursement for the repair of complex rehabilitation technology under the Medicaid program.

HF 425 simplifies Medicaid reimbursement for repairs of complex rehabilitation equipment. It requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to stop demanding new prescriptions or prior authorization for repairs, as long as the equipment was previously prescribed and paid for under Medicaid. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who rely on individually configured durable medical equipment (like specialized wheelchairs) and the providers who repair it. The bill defines "complex rehabilitation technology" as equipment tailored to meet specific medical needs for daily activities, ensuring repairs for such items follow the same streamlined process as the original equipment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers (new prescriptions/prior auth) for Medicaid repairs of complex rehab equipment, improving patient access to essential durable medical devices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 427: A bill for an act providing for Medicaid coverage of power standing device equipment on power wheelchairs for Medicaid recipients with a permanent physical disability.

HF 427 requires Iowa's Medicaid managed care organizations to cover the cost of integrated power standing device equipment on power wheelchairs for Medicaid recipients with a permanent physical disability, upon request. This equipment allows users to stand without transferring from their wheelchair. The bill mandates coverage when the device is deemed "reasonable and medically necessary" for the recipient's independence, function, health, and well-being. It directly affects Medicaid recipients who use power wheelchairs and have a permanent physical disability, ensuring access to this specific mobility aid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for medically necessary power standing devices, expanding access to essential health equipment for disabled recipients and strengthening Medicaid benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 426: A bill for an act relating to the provision of durable medical equipment to Medicaid recipients with a permanent disability.

HF 426 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to mandate that Medicaid managed care organizations continue approving coverage for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs or oxygen equipment) that Medicaid recipients with permanent disabilities were previously approved for. It directly affects Medicaid recipients whose conditions meet federal or state definitions of permanent disability (lasting 12+ months or resulting in death) and who haven't experienced significant health changes. The key provision ensures ongoing coverage for existing equipment without requiring new approvals, preventing sudden termination of essential support. This policy change aims to provide stability for vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries relying on critical medical devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continued Medicaid coverage for durable medical equipment, expanding access to essential health services for disabled recipients without restricting benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SF 417: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage and Medicaid coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals.

SF 417 requires both Medicaid and most private health insurance plans to cover annual low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals aged 50 or older. It defines "at-risk" as people with a history of regular smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, a family member diagnosed with lung cancer, or occupational exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. The bill mandates that insurers cannot impose copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for these screenings and requires Medicaid to provide coverage once a federal waiver is approved. This applies to most health insurance plans but excludes specialized coverages like accident-only or dental insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for lung cancer screenings without cost-sharing for at-risk groups, expanding access to preventative care and aligning with healthcare coverage protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 607: A bill for an act relating to eligibility of pregnant women and infants for the Medicaid program.

HF 607 increases Iowa's Medicaid eligibility income threshold for pregnant women and infants from 215% to 375% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects low-income pregnant individuals and infants whose families earn up to 375% of the federal poverty level, expanding access to coverage. The bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to submit state plan amendments to the federal government by January 2026, enabling 12 months of continuous postpartum Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women and updating infant eligibility rules. This change aligns with federal provisions under the American Rescue Plan Act and aims to improve healthcare continuity for this population.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and infants to 375% FPL, increasing healthcare access and enabling 12-month postpartum coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 337: A bill for an act relating to reimbursement rates under the Medicaid dental wellness plan.

HF 337 requires Iowa's Medicaid dental wellness plan to align reimbursement rates for dental providers with those paid under the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) program. This change aims to increase dental provider participation in Medicaid by ensuring they receive the same payment rates as in the Hawki program. The bill directly affects dental providers who serve Medicaid members and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care. By matching reimbursement rates, the policy seeks to improve access to dental services for Medicaid enrollees without altering eligibility or coverage. The bill is currently under review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns Medicaid dental reimbursement with Hawki program to increase provider participation and access for beneficiaries, directly improving dental care access under Medicaid.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 663: A bill for an act relating to provision of the state family planning services under the Medicaid program, and including effective date and repeal provisions.

This bill (HF 663) seeks to continue Iowa's Medicaid-funded family planning services by requiring the state to request federal approval for a new "Iowa Family Planning Network." It would replace the current state program (Section 217.41B of the Iowa Code) with a network operating under the same benefits and rules as a federal waiver approved in 2017. The repeal of the old program takes effect only after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves the new state plan amendment. This change directly affects Iowans who use Medicaid for family planning services and the state program providing those services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill continues Medicaid family planning services via new network structure, maintaining access to public health programs under federal waiver framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SF 478: A bill for an act relating to Medicaid and children’s health insurance program coverage for mental health services provided in school-based settings.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage for mental health services provided in schools. It ensures all children enrolled in Iowa's Medicaid or CHIP programs - regardless of whether they have a special education plan - can access covered services without needing a formal mental health diagnosis. Covered services include individual, group, and family therapy, prevention services, evaluation, and case management. The bill also mandates collaboration with schools and federal technical assistance to implement these changes, particularly in rural and under-resourced districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school-based mental health access for all students in Medicaid/CHIP, enhancing student support services without diagnostic barriers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid/CHIP coverage for school-based mental health services without diagnosis requirement, improving access for all enrolled children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Children's Health Medicaid Mental Health

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