COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENT ACT                                                              S.B. 855 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 855 (Substitute S-1 as reported)  

Sponsor:  Senator Kevin Daley

Committee:  Health Policy and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would enact the "Complex Needs Patient Act" to require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish focused policies and promulgate focused rules that met certain requirements for complex rehabilitation technology products and services.

                                                                          Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact. The bill would create recognition of what is commonly referred to as complex rehabilitation technology as a separate category in the State's Medicaid program. This new category would include specialized, often individualized (to meet individual needs) equipment for a subset of disabled Medicaid clients whose equipment needs are presently provided through the durable medical equipment benefit in Medicaid. There could be potential greater specific equipment costs for this relatively small segment, but these costs could be more than offset by reduced costs due to improved health outcomes for individuals whose needs were served better by more appropriate equipment. Because of the relatively narrow coverage group, any costs or savings would be minor relative to overall Medicaid costs.

Date Completed:  8-31-20                                                Fiscal Analyst:  Steve Angelotti

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.