MEDICAID BUY-IN TASK FORCE

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Co-Chair

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Co-Chair

NOTICE OF MEETING

·       DATE:  Tuesday, December 11, 2012

·       TIME: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

·       PLACE: Conference Room 229, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The Medicaid Buy-In Task Force is a joint legislative task force created through Act 200, SLH 2012.

The purpose of the Medicaid Buy-In Task Force is to explore the development and possible implementation of a Medicaid Buy-In program based on Hawaii’s current Medicaid income and asset limits, and subject to approval by the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Medicaid Buy-In program is meant to be available for working individuals with disabilities and shall ensure the provision of health care services to qualified individuals who are employed, as demonstrated by proof of income in the form of pay stubs, tax returns, or other official documentation, and have disabilities as defined by the Department of Human Services.

Legislators; Dr. Kenneth Fink, Administrator of the Department of Human Services’ Med-QUEST Division; and with various organizations and individuals will be participating in the discussion.

Act 200 can be found here: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/HB2415_CD1_.htm

If you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e. ASL or foreign language interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk at least 24 hours prior to the briefing so that arrangements can be made.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6130

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Mathematica Policy Research: Extending Medicaid to Workers with Disabilities: The Medicaid Buy-In Program

2011: Testimony in favor of Medicaid Buy-in Program

Hire Abilities Hawaii: The Medicaid Buy-In Program

Working-age adults with disabilities need adequate health insurance to enter or remain in the work force, but their options for insurance coverage are limited. Many who have full-time jobs may not be covered through their employer-sponsored health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. Those who work part-time or have jobs that do not offer health coverage may have to turn to government-sponsored programs, such as Medicaid. However, a person with a disability who earns more than the allowable amount will be ineligible for Medicaid coverage. That's where the Medicaid Buy-In program comes in.

The Medicaid Buy-In program allows adults with disabilities to earn more than would otherwise be possible and still have Medicaid coverage. In return, participants “buy into” the Medicaid program, typically by paying premiums based on income. As of June 2012, 45 states were operating a Medicaid Buy-In program to extend Medicaid coverage to working people with disabilities, with total nationwide enrollment of more than 100,000. (Mathematica Policy Research)