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A5175Assembly2017-2018 SessionSame asS1241

Notify About Medicaid Eligibility

Official title

“Relates to notice of eligibility for medical assistance under the excess income program”

Sponsor Richard GottfriedAD-75+10 co-sponsorsAffects Health
Status
Signed by Governor
Impact
3/10
Low
Outcome
Signed into law

Bill progress

Signed into law

What's happening

The bill requires written notice to certain Medicaid applicants and recipients about using income trusts to gain eligibility.

Why it matters

  1. Empowers applicants and recipients. By requiring clear, written notice about income trust options, the bill helps Medicaid applicants and recipients who are disabled understand how they may still qualify for assistance despite having income above standard limits.

  2. Reduces missed eligibility opportunities. Many people currently lose out on Medicaid benefits simply because they are unaware of income trust mechanisms; this bill addresses that information gap and could increase access for those in need.

  3. Promotes transparency and fairness. Mandating plain-language explanations makes the process more understandable and less intimidating, which can help prevent confusion, reduce errors, and ensure fairer treatment across different counties and social services offices.

  4. Does not change eligibility rules. The bill clarifies that it does not alter who is eligible for Medicaid, but makes sure applicants are informed about all lawful means (like trusts) to qualify, potentially preventing unnecessary denials or loss of coverage.

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Who cares

Headline styles

Notify About Medicaid Eligibility

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Richard Gottfried

Assembly Member · Assembly District 75

History

  1. Approval memo.46
  2. Signed chap.475
  3. Delivered to governor
  4. Returned to assembly
  5. Passed senateVote 63–0
  6. 3rd reading cal.715
  7. Substituted for S1241A
  8. Referred to health
  9. Delivered to senate
  10. Passed assembly
  11. Advanced to third reading cal.422
  12. Reported
Show 4 earlier actions
  1. Reported referred to ways and means
  2. Print number 5175a
  3. Amend and recommit to health
  4. Referred to health

Companion bill

The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.

S1241Senate

Notify About Medicaid Eligibility

Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Robert Ortt

Impact 3 · Low0% to pass

Full text

1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

STATE OF NEW YORK

5175--A

2017-2018 Regular Sessions

IN ASSEMBLY

February 6, 2017

Introduced by M. of A. GOTTFRIED, GUNTHER, MORELLE, BRONSON, SCHIMMINGER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to notice of determination of eligibility for medical assistance

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 5 of section 366 of the social services law, as relettered by section 26-a of part C of chapter 109 of the laws of 2006, is relettered paragraph (g) and a new paragraph (f) is added to read as follows:

(f) The department shall provide written notice under this paragraph to an applicant for or recipient of medical assistance who is or reasonably appears to be eligible for medical assistance under subparagraph two of paragraph (c) of subdivision one of this section, except for having income exceeding applicable income levels. The notice shall explain, in plain language, the rules for depositing income in a trust that may enable an applicant or recipient who is disabled to become eligible for medical assistance under clause (iii) of subparagraph two of paragraph (b) of subdivision two of this section. The notice shall be included with the eligibility notice provided to such applicants and recipients. The notice shall include information on how to enroll in such a trust and how to request that the local social services district rebudget medical assistance based on participation in such a trust. This paragraph shall not be construed to change any criterion for eligibility for medical assistance.

§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD04837-06-7

Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.