HB 512 -- Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with
Disabilities

Co-Sponsors:  Ladd Baker, Portwood, Graham, Reid, Boucher,
Riback Wilson (25), Barry

This bill establishes eligibility requirements for needy persons
to receive medical assistance.  These requirements are derived
from the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act of 1999 (TWWIIA).  The bill authorizes medical assistance to
be paid for a person who is employed and who:

(1)  Meets the definition of the term "disabled" under the
Supplemental Security Income Program or meets the definition of
employed individual with a medically improved disability under
TWWIIA;

(2)  Meets the asset limits specified in the bill; and

(3)  Has an annual income of 250% or less of the federal poverty
guidelines.  Income does not include any income of the person's
spouse or children.  Individuals with incomes greater than 150%
of the federal poverty guidelines will pay a premium for
participation.

A person otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the
bill will not lose eligibility if he or she maintains an
independent living development account, as defined in the bill.
These accounts will not be considered an asset for determining
eligibility until that person reaches 65 years of age.

If an eligible individual's employer offers employer-sponsored
health insurance and the Department of Social Services
determines that it is more cost-effective than medical
assistance, the individual will participate in the employer--
sponsored insurance.  The department will pay the individual's
portion of the premiums, copayments, and other associated costs.

Medical assistance will be provided to an eligible person as a
secondary or supplemental policy to any employer-sponsored
benefits available to that person.  The department will submit
appropriate documentation to the federal government for approval
and will apply for all grants available to offset the costs
associated with the bill's provisions.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:02 pm