State Public Option Act

To establish a State public option through Medicaid to provide Americans with the choice of a high-quality, low-cost health insurance plan. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the State Public Option Act 2. Medicaid buy-in option (a) In general Section 1902 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a (1) in subsection (a)(10)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— (i) in subclause (XXI), by striking ; or (ii) in subclause (XXII), by adding or (iii) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (XXIII) beginning January 1, 2018, who are residents of the State and are not concurrently enrolled in another health insurance coverage plan, subject, in the case of individuals described in subsection (nn) and notwithstanding section 1916 (except for subsection (k) of such section), to payment of premiums or other cost-sharing charges; ; and (B) in the matter following subparagraph (G), in clause (XV), by inserting or subsection (nn) described in subparagraph (A)(i)(VIII) (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (nn) Previously undescribed individuals Individuals described in this subsection are individuals who are— (1) described in subclause (XXIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii); and (2) are not described in any other subclause of such subsection or any other provision in this Act which provides for eligibility for medical assistance. . (b) Provision of at least minimum coverage (1) In general Section 1902(k)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(k)(1) or an individual described in subsection (nn) an individual described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) (2) Conforming amendment Section 1903(i)(26) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(i)(26) individuals described in subclause (VIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) individuals described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) or (nn) of section 1902 (c) Federal financial participation in buy-In program (1) Enhanced match for administrative expenses Section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(a) (A) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph: (7) an amount equal to 90 percent of the sums expended during the quarter which are attributable to reasonable administrative expenses related to the administration of a Medicaid buy-in program for individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII); plus . (2) Treatment of premium and cost-sharing revenues from Medicaid buy-in program (A) In general For purposes of section 1903(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(1) 42 U.S.C. 1396o (B) Treatment of excess premiums Each State that collects premiums or similar charges under subsection (k) of section 1916 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o (i) the total amount of such premiums and charges collected by the State for such year; exceeds (ii) the total amount expended by the State during such year as medical assistance for individuals who buy into Medicaid coverage under subclause (XXIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of such Act (as added by this Act). (d) Cost-Sharing requirement Section 1916 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o (k) Premiums and cost-Sharing for individuals participating in Medicaid buy-In program (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), with respect to individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of section 1902 and are described in subsection (nn) of such section, a State may— (A) impose premiums, deductibles, cost-sharing, or other similar charges that are actuarially fair; and (B) vary the premium rate imposed on an individual based only on the factors described in section 2701(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act and subject to the same limitations on the weight which may be given to such factors under such section. (2) Limitations (A) Premiums The total amount of premiums imposed for a year under this subsection with respect to all individuals described in paragraph (1) in a family shall not exceed an amount equal to 9.5 percent of the family's household income (as defined in section 36B(d)(2) (B) Other cost-sharing (i) In general The cost-sharing limitations described in section 1302(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall apply to cost-sharing (as defined in such section) for medical assistance provided under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) in the same manner as such limitations apply to cost-sharing under qualified health plans under title I of such Act. (ii) Availability of cost-sharing reductions Individuals provided medical assistance under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) and subject to cost-sharing under this subsection are eligible for cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (subject to the income eligibility threshold in subsection (b)(2) of such section), and in applying such section— (I) enrollment in a State plan under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) shall be treated as coverage under a qualified health plan in the silver level of coverage in the individual market offered through an Exchange established for or by the State under title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and (II) the State agency administering such plan shall be treated as the issuer of such plan. (3) Premiums and cost-sharing for certain other individuals If an individual is eligible for medical assistance under subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of section 1902 and is not described in subsection (nn) of such section, a State— (A) shall not impose premiums and cost-sharing on the individual under this subsection; and (B) may impose premiums and cost-sharing on the individual to the extent allowed by another provision of this Act (other than section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII)) which provides for eligibility for medical assistance, but only if the individual is described in such other provision. (4) Application of premium assistance tax credits An individual who is required to pay premiums under this subsection for a year for medical assistance shall be eligible for a premium assistance credit under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code to the same extent that such individual would be eligible for a premium assistance credit under such section if such individual had paid the same amount in premiums for coverage under a qualified health plan for such year. . (e) Managed care Section 1932(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(a)(1)(A)(i) , including an individual who is eligible for such assistance after buying into such coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII), the State plan under this title (f) Offering buy-In program on State exchange; enrollment periods (1) In general A State that has elected to allow individuals to buy into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) (2) Enrollment periods A State may limit the enrollment of individuals into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) 42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(6) (g) Application of advanced premium tax credits to Medicaid buy-In plans (1) In general Section 36B (A) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by adding at the end the following new sentence: If an applicable taxpayer resides in a rating area in which no silver plan is offered on the individual market but the taxpayer buys into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of the Social Security Act, such Medicaid coverage shall be deemed to be the applicable second lowest cost silver plan with respect to such taxpayer. ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Application to individuals purchasing Medicaid coverage In the case of any individual who buys into Medicaid coverage under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) of the Social Security Act, this section shall be applied with the following modifications: (1) The amount determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be increased by the amount of the monthly premiums paid for such coverage. (2) Subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) shall be applied by treating coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act in the same manner as a qualified health plan that was enrolled in through an Exchange. (3) In applying subsection (c)(2)(B)— (A) an individual shall not be considered to be eligible for minimum essential coverage described in section 5000A(f)(1)(A)(ii) by reason of eligibility for medical assistance under a State Medicaid program under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII); and (B) an individual who is not covered by minimum essential coverage described in section 5000A(f)(1)(B) shall not be considered to be eligible for such coverage. . (2) Advanced payment of credit (A) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall establish a program under which— (i) upon request of a State agency administering a State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, advance determinations are made in a manner similar to advanced determination under section 1411 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to the income eligibility of individuals enrolling in such program for the premium tax credit allowable under section 36B (ii) the Secretary notifies— (I) the State agency administering the program and the Secretary of the Treasury of the advance determinations; and (II) the Secretary of the Treasury of the name and employer identification number of each employer with respect to whom 1 or more employee of the employer were determined to be eligible for the premium tax credit under section 36B (aa) the employer did not provide minimum essential coverage; or (bb) the employer provided such minimum essential coverage but it was determined under section 36B(c)(2)(C) of such Code to either be unaffordable to the employee or not provide the required minimum actuarial value; and (iii) the Secretary of the Treasury makes advance payments of such credit or reductions to the State agency administering the program in order to reduce the premiums payable by individuals eligible for such credit. (B) Determinations and payments Rules similar to subsections (b) and (c) of section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall apply for purposes of this subsection. (C) Coordination with credit (i) In general Section 36B and under section 2(g)(2) of the State Public Option Act section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ii) Information reporting Section 36B(f)(3) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following flush sentence: In the case of any coverage under the medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for which a credit under this section is allowable by reason of subsection (h), the State agency administering the Medicaid program shall be treated as an Exchange for purposes of this paragraph and subparagraph (A) shall not apply. (3) Conforming amendment relating to employer responsibility Paragraph (6) of section 4980H(c) , except that for purposes of subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2), the term qualified health plan such Act (h) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1902(a)(10) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10) (A) by striking and (XVII) , (XVII) (B) by inserting , and (XVIII) the medical assistance made available to an individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(XXIII) shall be limited to medical assistance described in subsection (k)(1) (2) Section 1903(f)(4) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(f)(4) 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII), 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXII), (3) Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) (A) by striking or (B) by inserting or (C) by inserting after clause (xvii) the following new clause: (xviii) individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII), . (4) Section 1916A(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o–1(a)(1) or (j) (j), or (k) (5) Section 1937(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–7(a)(1)(B) , subclause (XXIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii), 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) 3. Development of State-level metrics on Medicaid beneficiary access and satisfaction (a) In general (1) Development of metrics Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in consultation with the Deputy Administrator for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services and State Medicaid Directors, shall develop standardized, State-level metrics of access to, and satisfaction with, providers, including primary care and specialist providers, with respect to individuals who are enrolled in State Medicaid plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act. (2) Process The Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shall develop the metrics described in paragraph (1) through a public process, which shall provide opportunities for stakeholders to participate. (b) Updating metrics The Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in consultation with the Deputy Administrator for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services and State Medicaid Directors, shall update the metrics developed under subsection (a) not less than once every 3 years. (c) State implementation funding The Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality may award funds, from the amount appropriated under subsection (d), to States for the purpose of implementing the metrics developed under this section. (d) Appropriation There is appropriated to the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available until expended, for the purpose of carrying out this section. 4. Renewal of application of Medicare payment rate floor to primary care services furnished under Medicaid and inclusion of additional providers (a) Renewal of payment floor; additional providers (1) In general Section 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13) (C) payment for primary care services (as defined in subsection (jj)) at a rate that is not less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to such services and physician under part B of title XVIII (or, if greater, the payment rate that would be applicable under such part if the conversion factor under section 1848(d) for the year involved were the conversion factor under such section for 2009), and that is not less than the rate that would otherwise apply to such services under this title if the rate were determined without regard to this subparagraph, and that are— (i) furnished in 2013 and 2014, by a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine; or (ii) furnished in the period that begins on the first day of the first month that begins after the date of enactment of the State Public Option Act (I) by a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine, but only if the physician self-attests that the physician is Board certified in family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatric medicine; (II) by a physician with a primary specialty designation of obstetrics and gynecology, but only if the physician self-attests that the physician is Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology; (III) by an advanced practice clinician, as defined by the Secretary, that works under the supervision of— (aa) a physician that satisfies the criteria specified in subclause (I) or (II); or (bb) a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law; (IV) by a rural health clinic, Federally-qualified health center, or other health clinic that receives reimbursement on a fee schedule applicable to a physician, a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law, for services furnished by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife, or services furnished by an advanced practice clinician supervised by a physician described in subclause (I)(aa) or (II)(aa), another advanced practice clinician, or a certified nurse-midwife; or (V) by a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)) who is working in accordance with State law, or a certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) who is working in accordance with State law, in accordance with procedures that ensure that the portion of the payment for such services that the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife is paid is not less than the amount that the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse-midwife would be paid if the services were provided under part B of title XVIII; . (2) Conforming amendments Section 1905(dd) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(dd) (A) by striking Notwithstanding (1) In general Notwithstanding ; (B) by inserting or furnished during an additional period specified in paragraph (2), 2015, (C) by adding at the end the following: (2) Additional periods For purposes of paragraph (1), the following are additional periods: (A) The period that begins on the first day of the first month that begins after the date of enactment of the State Public Option Act . (b) Improved targeting of primary care Section 1902(jj) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(jj) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively and realigning the left margins accordingly; (2) by striking For purposes of (1) In general For purposes of ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (2) Exclusions Such term does not include any services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) if such services are provided in an emergency department of a hospital. . (c) Ensuring payment by managed care entities (1) In general Section 1903(m)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(m)(2)(A) (A) in clause (xii), by striking and (B) by realigning the left margin of clause (xiii) so as to align with the left margin of clause (xii) and by striking the period at the end of clause (xiii) and inserting ; and (C) by inserting after clause (xiii) the following: (xiv) such contract provides that (I) payments to providers specified in section 1902(a)(13)(C) for primary care services defined in section 1902(jj) that are furnished during a year or period specified in section 1902(a)(13)(C) and section 1905(dd) are at least equal to the amounts set forth and required by the Secretary by regulation, (II) the entity shall, upon request, provide documentation to the State, sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I), and (III) the Secretary shall approve payments described in subclause (I) that are furnished through an agreed upon capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement if the capitation, partial capitation, or other value-based payment arrangement is based on a reasonable methodology and the entity provides documentation to the State sufficient to enable the State and the Secretary to ensure compliance with subclause (I). . (2) Conforming amendment Section 1932(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(f) and clause (xiv) of section 1903(m)(2)(A) 5. Medicaid access grants (a) In general Beginning in fiscal year 2019, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary (b) Application requirements To be eligible for a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall require, an application that contains the following: (1) A description of gaps in access to providers for individuals enrolled in the State Medicaid plan that the State has identified, and how the State proposes to fix such gaps. (2) A discussion of any changes the State proposes to make to the reimbursement of providers under the State Medicaid plan, including changes to the fee-for-service rates for providers of services under such plans or moving to population-based or episode-based payment models. (3) A justification establishing that the changes proposed by the State will increase access to providers for individuals enrolled in the State Medicaid plan, and a plan for measuring changes to such access over the grant period. (c) Use of funds (1) In general If the Secretary determines that a State is using grant funds awarded under this section in a manner that is inconsistent with the purpose described in subsection (a) or paragraph (2), the Secretary may withhold or reduce future grant payments or recover previous grant payments to the State under this section as the Secretary deems appropriate. (2) Use of funds to implement Medicaid buy-in program A State may use up to 10 percent of the amount of a grant awarded to the State under this section for the purpose of implementing a Medicaid buy-in program under subclause (XXIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) (3) Use of funds to increase Medicaid provider payment rates Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State may use grant funds awarded under this section for the purpose of financing the portion of the non-Federal share of expenditures under the State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (d) Selection of States and maximum grant amount In awarding grants to States under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) ensure that geographically diverse areas, including rural and underserved areas, are included; and (2) award grants both to States that have elected to expand Medicaid eligibility under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) (e) Appropriation There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $100,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain available until September 30, 2021, for the purpose of making grants under this section. 6. Increased FMAP for medical assistance to newly eligible individuals (a) In general Section 1905(y)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(y)(1) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking 2014, 2015, and 2016 each of the first 3 consecutive 12-month periods in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking 2017 the fourth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking 2018 the fifth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals (4) in subparagraph (D), by striking 2019 the sixth consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals (5) in subparagraph (E), by striking 2020 and each year thereafter the seventh consecutive 12-month period in which the State provides medical assistance to newly eligible individuals and each such period thereafter (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of Public Law 111–148

Summary: State Public Option Act This bill allows residents not already eligible for Medicaid who are not concurrently enrolled in other health insurance coverage to buy into a state Medicaid plan beginning January 1, 2018. The bill makes such buy-in coverage eligible for premium subsidies and reduced cost sharing under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shall develop standardized, state-level metrics of access to, and satisfaction with, providers for individuals enrolled in state Medicaid plans. Primary care services furnished under Medicaid by certain providers must be paid at a rate that is not less than the rate under Medicare part B. Beginning in FY2019, the Department of Health and Human Services may award grants to states for the purpose of improving access to services for individuals enrolled in state Medicaid plans. The bill provides the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage to every state that expands Medicaid coverage for individuals who are newly eligible under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, regardless of when such expansion takes place.