Authorizes local social services districts to choose which state- but not federally-required medicaid services to provide and categories of eligibility to cover

BILL NUMBER:S4461

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to allowing local social services districts discretion to provide certain medicaid services and to cover certain categories of eligibility

Purpose

This bill authorizes local Social Services Districts to choose which state-required, but not federally-required, Medicaid services to provide and categories of eligibility to cover.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 - Amends § 365-a of the Social Services Law by adding a new subdivision 10 to authorize each Local Social Services District to determine which, if any, state-required but not federally-required services it will provide.

Section 2 - Amends § 366 of the Social Services Law by adding a new subdivision 10 to authorize each Local Social Services District to determine which, if any, state-required but not federally-required categories of eligibility to cover.

Section 3 - Authorizes the Commissioner of Health to apply for all federal waivers that are required to implement the provisions. In addition the commissioner shall promulgate any and all rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions. Further, the Commissioner shall specify dates by which such services and eligibility plans must be returned to the Commissioner for review and approval to implement the plans. A district that does not have an approved plan by the deadline, shall provide all services and categories of eligibility required under the state plan that is in effect at that time.

Section 4 - Effective date.

Justification

Currently there are federally-required and state-required Medicaid services that each county of New York must provide to its citizens. There is little doubt that both federally-required and state-required Medicaid services and categories of eligibility have put a strain on county budgets. In recent months county officials from all over the state have suggested that allowing each county to determine their own Medicaid program services and categories of eligibility will enable them to tailor the services they provide to the population they serve, thus allowing for cost savings. This bill allows each county to tailor its Medicaid program to fit the needs of its population by choosing which state-required services and categories of eligibility to provide. If a county does not have an approved plan by the date specified by the Commissioner of Health, the county will be required to provide the services and categories of eligibility that are required by state law at that time.

Prior legislative history

2005-06: S.3539/A.5464-SOCIAL SERVICES/CHILD & FAM/Health 2007 - S.3295/A.4677 -- HEALTH/Social Services 2008 - S.3295-A/A.4677-A SOCIAL SERV/CHILD & FAM/Social Services 2009-10 - S.2989/A.6777 HEALTH/Social Services 2011-2012 - S.1813/A.2285 -- SOCIAL SERV/Social Services 2013-14 - S.1697/A.2033 - HEALTH/Social Services

Fiscal implications

Yet to be determined. Cost savings to both counties and the state are expected.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.