HB 1068 -- Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities

Sponsor:  Portwood

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to determine
the eligibility of an employed disabled person requesting medical
assistance whose family income is less than 250% of the federal
poverty level.  The bill:

(1)  Requires an applicant to work at least 40 hours per month,
have a gross annual income of less than $18,000, and pay a $65
application fee;

(2)  Specifies that an individual's personal assets cannot exceed
$1,000, while a couple's assets cannot exceed $2,000;

(3)  Specifies that an independent living development account
with a value less than $10,000 per year, a medical expense
account with a value less than $5,000 per year, and a combined
spousal income of up to $32,500 per year will not be considered
assets for determining eligibility;

(4)  Specifies that an individual whose income is greater than
80% of the federal poverty level will have to pay a premium
between $100 and $400 based on his or her previous month's
income;

(5)  Specifies that any person's income exceeding the limit for
permanent and total disability benefits in Section 208.151, RSMo,
will pay a premium equal to the amount of a person's spend down
amount;

(6)  Specifies that nonpayment of a premium will result in the
denial or termination of medical assistance;

(7)  Requires the Family Support Division to conduct an annual
income and eligibility review of every recipient at least once a
year, no later than 12 months after the recipient's last
eligibility determination.  Persons renewing their applications
are to provide documentation of eligibility each year or be
denied participation in the program for that year;

(8)  Prohibits an individual who is eligible under this section
but is also eligible for the Missouri Medicaid Program and the
federal Medicare Program from being eligible for continued
prescription drug or medication assistance; and

(9)  Allows an individual who has been enrolled for four
consecutive months and lost his or her job due to a medical
condition or some other reason not attributable to the enrollee
to retain eligibility in this program for an additional three
months.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:41 am