First Substitute H.B. 292

Representative Dean Sanpei proposes the following substitute bill:

1 PREMIUM ASSISTANCE UNDER MEDICAID AND CHIP
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Dean Sanpei
5 Senate Sponsor: Evan J. Vickers
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends the Medical Assistance Act of the Utah Health Code.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . directs the Utah Department of Health to seek to maximize the use of Medicaid and
13 Children's Health Insurance Program funds for assistance in the purchase of private
14 health insurance coverage for Medicaid-eligible and non-Medicaid-eligible
15 individuals.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 26-18-3.8, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 279
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 26-18-3.8 is amended to read:

26 26-18-3.8. Maximizing use of premium assistance programs -- Utah's Premium
27 Partnership for Health Insurance.
28 (1) (a) The department shall seek to maximize the use of Medicaid and Children's
29 Health Insurance Program funds for assistance in the purchase of private health insurance
30 coverage for Medicaid-eligible and non-Medicaid-eligible individuals.
31 (b) The department's efforts to expand the use of premium assistance shall:
32 (i) include, as necessary, seeking federal approval under all Medicaid and Children's
33 Health Insurance Program premium assistance provisions of federal law, including provisions
34 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148;
35 (ii) give priority to, but not be limited to, expanding the state's Utah Premium
36 Partnership for Health Insurance Program, including as required under Subsection (2); and
37 (iii) encourage the enrollment of all individuals within a household in the same plan,
38 where possible, including enrollment in a plan that allows individuals within the household
39 transitioning out of Medicaid to retain the same network and benefits they had while enrolled
40 in Medicaid.
41 (c) Any increase in state costs resulting from an expansion of premium assistance may
42 not exceed offsetting reductions in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program state
43 costs attributable to the expansion.
44 (2) The department shall seek federal approval of an amendment to the state's Utah
45 Premium Partnership for Health Insurance program to adjust the eligibility determination for
46 single adults and parents who have an offer of employer sponsored insurance. The amendment
47 shall:
48 [(1)] (a) be within existing appropriations for the Utah Premium Partnership for Health
49 Insurance program; and
50 [(2)] (b) provide that adults who are up to 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible
51 for premium subsidies in the Utah Premium Partnership for Health Insurance program.

[Bill Documents]