HB 827 -- 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 under the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999.  The bill:

(1)  Requires an applicant to work at least 40 hours per month,
have a gross annual income of less than $15,000, and pay a
one-time $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 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 guidelines will have to pay a premium
between $100 and $400 based on their previous month's income;

(5)  States that if an eligible individual is receiving or is
eligible to receive state-sponsored health insurance and the
premiums are less than the amount the Missouri Medicaid Program
would pay, then the individual will participate in the
state-sponsored insurance.  The department will pay for
state-sponsored health insurance and employer-sponsored health
insurance premiums that exceed an individual's monthly premium.
Nonpayment of a premium will result in the denial or termination
of medical assistance;

(6)  Allows an individual who is receiving medical assistance
before January 1, 2006, to renew their eligibility for the
program by February 15, 2006.  The department will initiate a
determination within 30 days for any individual who applies for
medical assistance after January 1, 2006;

(7)  Specifies that in no case will the eligibility for continued
medical assistance exceed five years; and during the fourth and
fifth years, the individual may continue by paying a premium
equal to 40% of the average monthly per person expenditure in the
Medicaid Program;

(8)  Requires an applicant to provide documentation of
eligibility by February 21 of each year or be denied
participation in the program for that year;

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

(10)  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 provisions of this section will become effective
January 1, 2006, and will terminate on December 31, 2011.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm