Authorizes an increase in resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home and requires semi-annual reports from Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers to the EOHHS.

What This Bill Does

This Rhode Island bill makes two main changes to the state's Medicaid program as it relates to long-term care. First, it would allow the state to raise the asset limits that determine whether someone qualifies for Medicaid-funded long-term care services while living at home. Currently, people who need help with daily living activities but want to stay in their own homes must have very limited savings or assets to qualify for assistance. This bill gives the state the authority to increase those limits, potentially making it easier for more people to qualify for home-based care without having to spend down their savings first.

Who It Affects

This bill primarily affects older adults and people with disabilities who need long-term care services but prefer to remain in their own homes rather than moving to a nursing facility. By potentially raising asset limits, more Rhode Islanders could qualify for Medicaid support for things like home health aides, personal care assistants, and other in-home services. The bill also affects assisted living facilities and adult day service providers that are certified by Medicaid — these organizations would be required to submit reports to the state's Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) every six months, giving state officials better data on how these programs are operating.

Current Status

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, meaning it is in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on.