Disaster Relief Medicaid Act

Bill: 116-s-1754
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-06-10
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Emergency planning and evacuation

Government information and archives

Health programs administration and funding

Home and outpatient care

Homelessness and emergency shelter

Medicaid

Medicare

State and local finance

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2019-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-06-10
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Disaster Relief Medicaid Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to Medicaid coverage of individuals affected by a federally declared major disaster.</p> <p>In particular, the bill provides for specific disaster relief coverage under Medicaid for individuals who meet specified income eligibility standards and, during the seven-day period preceding the disaster, were either residents of the impacted area or were employed in the impacted area (and subsequently lost employment). Coverage is effective for two years after the date of the disaster declaration.</p> <p>State Medicaid programs must provide disaster relief coverage that is at least as comprehensive as the state's Medicaid coverage and the Medicaid coverage of the individual's home state, as applicable. The bill applies a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to such coverage and related administrative expenses. </p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1754 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 10, 2019 Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Brown , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Harris , and Mrs. Gillibrand ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To provide Medicaid assistance to individuals and families affected by a disaster or emergency, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Disaster Relief Medicaid Act . 2. Medicaid relief for disaster survivors Title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is amended— (1) in section 1902(a)— (A) in paragraph (85), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (86), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (86) the following new paragraph: (87) beginning January 1, 2020, provide for making medical assistance available to relief-eligible survivors of disasters during relief coverage periods in accordance with section 1947. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new section: 1947. Disaster relief Medicaid for survivors of major disasters (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a State plan shall provide medical assistance to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster in accordance with this section. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Disaster The term disaster means a major disaster— (A) that is declared on or after January 1, 2020, by the President in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); and (B) which the President has determined warrants individual and public assistance from the Federal Government under such Act. (2) Direct impact area (A) In general The term direct impact area means, with respect to a disaster, the geographic area in which the disaster exists. (B) Website posting of direct impact areas As soon as practicable after a disaster is declared (as described in paragraph (1)(A)), the Secretary shall post on the website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a list of the areas identified as the direct impact areas of the disaster. (3) Home State The term home State means, with respect to a survivor of a disaster, the State in which the survivor was a resident during the 7-day period preceding the date on which the disaster is declared (as described in paragraph (1)(A)). (4) Relief coverage period The term relief coverage period means, with respect to a disaster, the period that begins on the date the disaster is declared (as described in paragraph (1)(A)) and ends on the day that is 2 years after such date. (5) Relief-eligible survivor (A) In general The term relief-eligible survivor means an individual who is a survivor of a disaster whose family income does not exceed the higher of— (i) 133 percent (or, in the case of a survivor who is a pregnant woman, a child, or a recipient of benefits under title II on the basis of a disability, 200 percent) of the poverty line; or (ii) the income eligibility standard that would otherwise apply to the survivor under the State plan or waiver of the survivor's host State. (B) Disregard of unemployment income For purposes of this section, and notwithstanding section 1902(e)(14)(B), the income of a survivor of a disaster shall not include any amount received during the relief coverage period of the disaster under a law of the United States or a State which is in the nature of unemployment compensation. (6) Survivor (A) In general The term survivor means, with respect to a disaster, an individual who is described in subparagraph (B) or (C). (B) Residents and evacuees of direct impact areas An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual who, on any day during the 7-day period preceding the date on which a disaster is declared (as described in paragraph (1)(A)), has a primary residence in the disaster's direct impact area. (C) Individuals who lost employment An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual— (i) whose worksite, on any day during the 7-day period preceding the date on which a disaster is declared (as so described), was located in the disaster's direct impact area; (ii) who was employed by an employer that— (I) conducted an active trade or business in such area on any day during such 7-day period; and (II) was unable to operate such trade or business as a result of the disaster on any day during the disaster's relief coverage period; and (iii) whose employment with such employer was terminated. (D) Treatment of homeless persons For purposes of subparagraph (B), in the case of an individual who was homeless on any day during the 7-day period preceding the date on which a disaster is declared (as so described), the individual's residence during such period shall be determined as it would otherwise be determined for purposes of this title. (E) Effect of concurrent eligibility for Medicaid An individual's eligibility for medical assistance under a State plan (or waiver of such plan) on a basis other than under this section shall not prevent the individual from being treated as a survivor under this section, and the rights afforded to an individual who is eligible for or enrolled under a State plan (or waiver) shall not be affected by the individual's receipt of medical assistance as a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster in accordance with this section. (c) Eligibility (1) Simplified application (A) In general For purposes of determining eligibility for medical assistance under this section, each State shall use a simplified, 1-page application form (as developed by the Secretary in consultation with the National Association of State Medicaid Directors), which shall— (i) require an applicant for medical assistance in accordance with this section as a survivor of a disaster to— (I) provide the applicant's expected address for the duration of the relief coverage period of the disaster; and (II) agree to update the information described in subclause (I) if it changes during such period; (ii) provide notice of the penalties for making a fraudulent application described in subsection (h); (iii) require the applicant to assign to the State any rights of the applicant (or any other individual who is a relief-eligible survivor and on whose behalf the applicant has the legal authority to execute an assignment of such rights) in accordance with the requirements of section 1912; (iv) require the applicant to list any health insurance coverage in which the applicant was enrolled immediately prior to submitting the application for medical assistance under this section; and (v) require the applicant to self-attest that the applicant— (I) is a relief-eligible survivor of the disaster; and (II) if applicable, requires home and community-based services. (B) No documentation requirement A State shall not require an applicant for medical assistance as a survivor of a disaster under this section to provide any documentation or other evidence— (i) of the applicant's status as a relief-eligible survivor; and (ii) if applicable, that the applicant requires home and community-based services. (C) Presumptive eligibility If an applicant submits a completed application to a provider or facility described in section 1902(a)(55) (or any other provider or facility participating in the State plan or under a waiver of such plan that is qualified to make presumptive eligibility determinations under such plan or waiver) and it appears to the provider or facility that the applicant is a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster who is eligible for medical assistance under the plan based on the information in the application, the applicant will be deemed to be a relief-eligible survivor for medical assistance under such plan in accordance with this section. (D) Continuous eligibility An applicant who is determined to be a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster shall be eligible for medical assistance under this section, without the need for any redetermination of eligibility, for the duration of the relief coverage period of the disaster. (E) Timely processing of applications Each State shall establish such processes as are necessary to ensure that applications for medical assistance under this section are processed in a timely manner. (2) Issuance of disaster relief Medicaid eligibility card A State shall issue a disaster relief Medicaid eligibility card to each applicant who is determined to be a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster and eligible for medical assistance under this section, which shall be valid for the duration of the relief coverage period of the disaster. (3) Verification of status as a relief-eligible survivor (A) In general The State shall make a good faith effort to verify the status of an individual who is enrolled in the State plan as a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster in accordance with this section. Such effort shall not delay the determination of the eligibility of the individual for medical assistance under this section. (B) Evidence of verification A State may satisfy the verification requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect to an individual by showing that the State obtained information from the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, or, if applicable, the State Medicaid agency of the home State of the individual. (4) Determination by Express Lane agency Any determination or redetermination of eligibility or verification of status made under this section shall be made by an Express Lane agency (as defined in section 1902(e)(13)(F)). (d) Termination of eligibility (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (4), no medical assistance shall be provided under this section to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster after the end of the relief coverage period of the disaster. (2) Notice of termination of eligibility; assistance in applying for regular Medicaid (A) In general No later than 2 months before the end of a relief coverage period of a disaster, a State shall provide each relief-eligible survivor of the disaster who is receiving medical assistance under the State plan in accordance with this section with written notice that includes— (i) the date after which, subject to the exception described in paragraph (4), the survivor will no longer be eligible for such assistance; (ii) information regarding eligibility (other than under this section) for medical assistance under the State plan (or waiver of such plan); and (iii) an application for such assistance and information regarding how to submit a completed application and how to obtain assistance with completing such application. (B) Assistance in applying for Medicaid Before the end of the relief coverage period of a disaster, the State shall— (i) provide any relief-eligible survivor of the disaster who is receiving medical assistance under the State plan assistance with applying for medical assistance under the State plan (or waiver ) for periods beginning after the end of such relief coverage period; and (ii) ensure that such assistance is easily accessible to such survivors. (3) Presumptive eligibility period for pending applications In the case of a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster who, on the date that the relief coverage period of the disaster ends, has an application pending for medical assistance under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) for periods beginning after such relief coverage period, such survivor shall be deemed to be eligible for medical assistance under such plan or waiver for 60 days after such date. Medical assistance provided to such an individual during such 60-day period shall not be treated as medical assistance provided under this section and the Federal medical assistance percentage described in subsection (f) shall not apply to amounts expended on such assistance. (4) Pregnant women In the case of a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster who, while pregnant, receives medical assistance under the State plan in accordance with this section, such survivor shall continue to be eligible for such assistance through the end of the month in which the 60-day period (beginning on the last day of her pregnancy) ends, without regard to whether the pregnancy ends before or after the end of the relief coverage period of the disaster and without requiring the survivor to reapply for such assistance. (e) Scope of coverage (1) In general A State providing medical assistance to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster in accordance with this section shall provide medical assistance that is equal in amount and scope to the medical assistance that would otherwise be made available to such survivor if the survivor were enrolled in the State plan (or waiver of such plan) as an individual described in clause (i) of section 1902(a)(10)(A), except that, in the case of such a survivor whose home State is not the State providing medical assistance to the individual, the State shall also provide medical assistance for any item or service for which medical assistance is available to individuals described in clause (i) of section 1902(a)(10)(A) under the State plan (or waiver) of the survivor's home State. (2) Provider payment rates for home State services In the case of medical assistance provided by a State to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster in accordance with this section for an item or service which is not available under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) but which is available under the State plan (or waiver) of the survivor's home State, the State shall pay the provider of such item or service at the same rate that the home State would pay for the item or service if it were provided under the plan or waiver of the home State (or, if no such payment rate applies under the plan or waiver of the home State, the usual and customary prevailing rate for the item or service for the community in which it is provided). (3) Retroactive coverage (A) In general Notwithstanding section 1905(a), a State shall provide medical assistance for items and services furnished in the State beginning with the first day of the relief coverage period of a disaster to any relief-eligible survivor of the disaster who submits an application for such assistance before the deadline described in subparagraph (B). (B) Application deadline The deadline for a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster to submit an application for medical assistance in accordance with this section is the date that is 90 days after the end of the disaster's relief coverage period. (4) Children born to pregnant women In the case of a child born to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster who is provided medical assistance in accordance with this section during the relief coverage period of the disaster, the child shall be treated as having been born to a pregnant woman eligible for medical assistance under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) and shall be eligible for medical assistance under such plan (or waiver) in accordance with section 1902(e)(4). Notwithstanding subsection (g), the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for a State and fiscal year under section 1905(b) shall apply to medical assistance provided during the year to a child under the State plan (or waiver) in accordance with the preceding sentence. (5) Option to provide extended mental health and care coordination benefits A State may provide, without regard to any restrictions on amount, duration, scope, or comparability, or other restrictions under this title or the State plan or waiver of such plan (other than restrictions applicable to services provided in an institution for mental diseases), medical assistance to relief-eligible survivors of a disaster under this section for extended mental health and care coordination services, which may include the following: (A) Screening, assessment, and diagnostic services (including specialized assessments for individuals with cognitive impairments). (B) Coverage for a full range of mental health medications at the dosages and frequencies prescribed by health professionals for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental disorders. (C) Treatment of alcohol and substance abuse determined to result from circumstances related to the disaster. (D) Psychotherapy, rehabilitation and other treatments administered by psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers for conditions exacerbated by, or resulting from, the disaster. (E) Peer support services related to the disaster. (F) Mobile crisis services to assist with crises related to the disaster. (G) In-patient mental health care in a general hospital. (H) Family counseling for families where a member of the immediate family is a survivor of the disaster or first responder to the disaster or includes an individual who has died as a result of the disaster. (I) In connection with the provision of health and long-term care services, arranging for, (and when necessary, enrollment in waiver programs or other specialized programs), and coordination related to, primary and specialty medical care, which may include personal care services, durable medical equipment and supplies, assistive technology, and transportation. (6) Option to provide home and community-based services (A) In general A State may provide medical assistance under this section for home and community-based services to a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster, including any survivor who is an individual described in subparagraph (B), who self-attests that the survivor immediately requires such services, without regard to whether the survivor would require the level of care provided in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled. (B) Individuals described Individuals described in this subparagraph are relief-eligible survivors of a disaster who— (i) on any day during the week preceding the date on which the disaster is declared (as described in subsection (b)(1)(A))— (I) had been receiving home and community-based services in a direct impact area under a waiver under section 1115 or section 1915; (II) had been receiving support services from a primary family caregiver who, as a result of the disaster, is no longer available to provide services; or (III) had been receiving personal care, home health, or rehabilitative services under a State plan under this title or under a waiver granted under sections 1115 or 1915; or (ii) are disabled (as determined under the State plan). (C) Waiver of restrictions With respect to the provision of home and community-based services under this paragraph, the Secretary— (i) shall waive any limitations on— (I) the number of individuals who may receive home or community-based services under a waiver described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I); (II) budget neutrality requirements applicable to such waiver; and (III) populations eligible for services under such waiver; and (ii) may waive any other restriction applicable under such a waiver that would prevent a State from providing home and community-based services in accordance with this paragraph. (f) State reports Each State shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that includes— (1) information on how the State is satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(2) (relating to providing notice of termination of medical assistance under this section and assistance in applying for medical assistance other than under this section); (2) the number of survivors of a disaster who were determined by the State to be relief-eligible survivors of a disaster in the preceding year; and (3) the number of relief-eligible survivors of a disaster who were determined to be eligible for, and enrolled in, the State plan (or waiver of such plan) or the State child health plan under title XXI (or waiver of such plan) other than under this section. (g) 100 percent Federal matching payments (1) In general Notwithstanding section 1905(b), the Federal medical assistance percentage shall be equal to 100 percent with respect to amounts expended by a State— (A) for medical assistance provided in accordance with this section to relief-eligible survivors of a disaster during the relief coverage period of the disaster; (B) that are directly attributable to administrative activities related to the provision of medical assistance under this section, including costs attributable to obtaining recoveries under subsection (h); (C) that are directly attributable to providing application assistance in accordance with subsection (d)(2)(B); and (D) for medical assistance provided to relief-eligible survivors of a disaster after the end of the relief coverage period of the disaster in accordance with subsection (d)(4). (2) Disregard of limits on payments to territories The limitations on payment under subsections (f) and (g) of section 1108 shall not apply to Federal payments under this title that are based on the Federal medical assistance percentage described in paragraph (1), and such payments shall be disregarded in applying such subsections. (h) Penalty for fraudulent applications (1) Individual liable for costs If a State, as the result of verification activities conducted by the State or otherwise, determines after a fair hearing that an individual has knowingly made a false attestation in an application for medical assistance as a relief-eligible survivor of a disaster under this section, the State shall, subject to paragraph (2), seek recovery from the individual for the full amount of the cost of medical assistance provided to the individual under this section. (2) Exception The Secretary shall exempt a State from the requirement to seek recovery from an individual under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that it would not be cost-effective for the State to do so. (3) Reimbursement to the Federal Government Amounts expended by a State for medical assistance provided to an individual under this section that are subsequently recovered by the State under this subsection shall be treated as an overpayment under this title to the extent that payments were made to the State for such amounts. (i) Exemption from error rate penalties All payments attributable to providing medical assistance to relief-eligible survivors of disasters in accordance with this section shall be disregarded for purposes of section 1903(u). . 3. Promoting effective and innovative State responses to increased demand for medical assistance following a disaster (a) Guidance on increasing access to providers Not later than October 1, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall issue (and update as the Secretary determines necessary) guidance to State Medicaid directors on best practices for— (1) expediting the approval of providers under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or waiver of such plan, after a disaster to meet increased demand for medical assistance under the plan or waiver from relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1947(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters; and (2) using out-of-State providers to provide care to relief-eligible survivors of a disaster under the plan or waiver. (b) Technical assistance and support for innovative State strategies to respond to increased demand for medical assistance following a disasters (1) In general The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and support to States to develop or expand infrastructure, strategies, or innovations (including through State Medicaid demonstration projects) to provide medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or a waiver of such a plan, to relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1947(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters. (2) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a report to Congress detailing a plan of action to carry out the requirements of paragraph (1). (c) HCBS emergency response corps grant program (1) In general The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection to States for the purpose of establishing or operating HCBS emergency response corps that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) to provide medical assistance for home and community-based services under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) to relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1947(b)(5) of such Act) of disasters. (2) Home and community-based services emergency response corps An HCBS emergency response corps meets the requirements of this paragraph if it satisfies the following requirements: (A) The corps serves a State with a history of hosting individuals who are forced to relocate to the State from another State due to a disaster (as determined by the Secretary). (B) The corps is composed of representatives from each of the following: (i) Voluntary organizations delivering assistance. (ii) Area agencies on aging (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 )). (iii) The Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (iv) The State agency responsible for administering the State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.). (v) State agencies serving older adults and people with disabilities. (vi) Nonprofit service providers. (vii) Other organizations that address the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. (C) The corps is led by a representative of a State or nonprofit agency serving older adults or people with disabilities. (D) The corps operates under a plan to meet the acute and long-term services and support needs of relief-eligible survivors (as defined in section 1947(b)(5) of the Social Security Act) of disasters, and is provided with the resources necessary to execute such plan. (3) Grants (A) Limitation The Secretary may award a grant under this subsection to up to 5 States. (B) Term of grants Grants under this subsection shall be made for a term of 2 years. (4) Authorization There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025, to remain available until expended. 4. Targeted Medicaid relief for direct impact areas (a) 100 percent Federal matching payments for medical assistance provided in a direct impact area (1) In general Section 1905 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d ) is amended— (A) in subsection (b), by striking and (aa) and inserting (aa), and (ff) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (ff) 100 percent FMAP for all medical assistance provided in disaster direct impact areas Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State and fiscal year shall be equal to 100 percent with respect to amounts expended by the State during the year for medical assistance for an individual who, at the time the assistance is provided to the individual, is a resident of a direct impact area of a disaster during the disaster's relief coverage period (as such terms are defined in section 1947). . (2) Application to CHIP Section 2105(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397ee(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) 100 percent match for all child health assistance provided in disaster direct impact areas Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary shall pay to each State with a plan approved under this title, from its allotment under section 2104, an amount for each quarter equal to 100 percent of expenditures in the quarter for child health assistance under the plan for targeted low-income children or pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income women that is provided to such a child or woman who, at the time the assistance is provided, is a resident of a direct impact area of a disaster during the disaster's relief coverage period (as such terms are defined in section 1947). . (b) Moratorium on redeterminations During the relief coverage period (as defined in paragraph (4) of section 1947(b) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 2)) of a disaster, a State that contains a direct impact area (as defined in paragraph (2) of such section) of the disaster shall not be required to conduct eligibility redeterminations under the State's plans or waivers of such plans under title XIX or XXI of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa) with respect to individuals who reside in such area. 5. Authority to waive requirements during national emergencies with respect to evacuees from an emergency area Section 1135(g)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; (2) by striking An emergency area and inserting the following: (A) In general An emergency area ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Additional areas Any geographical area in which the Secretary determines there are a significant number of evacuees from an area described in subparagraph (A) shall also be considered to be an emergency area for purposes of this section. . 6. Exclusion of disaster relief coverage period in computing Medicare part B late enrollment period Section 1839(b) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395r(b) ) is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting before the period at the end the following: or, in the case of an individual who is a survivor of a disaster (as defined in paragraph (6) of section 1947(b)), any month any part of which is within the relief coverage period (as defined in paragraph (4) of such section) of such disaster . 7. Effective date (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Delay permitted if state legislation required In the case of a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirement before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period beginning with the date of the enactment of this section. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.