Request Self-sufficiency Waiver Medicaid Program

The bill directs the department of health care policy and financing (department) to prepare and submit a waiver to the federal government requesting authority to implement certain self-sufficiency provisions as part of the Colorado medical assistance program (medicaid). The bill:

• Requires able-bodied adults as a condition of eligibility for medicaid to become employed, actively seek employment, attend job or vocational training, or volunteer at a nonprofit organization; except that this requirement does not apply to certain persons specified in the bill;
• Requires able-bodied adults to verify income monthly for determination of eligibility;
• Authorizes the department to prohibit enrollment in medicaid if a person fails to report a change in family income or makes a false statement regarding compliance with the work requirement;
• Establishes a lifetime limit on medicaid benefits of 5 years, and includes persons excepted from the limit; and
• Authorizes the department to impose copayments to deter the use of emergency departments and ambulance services for nonemergency services and nonemergency transportation.

The bill requires the department to report to the general assembly regarding the preparation, submission, approval, implementation, and outcome of the self-sufficiency waiver provisions.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)