COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENTS                                                  S.B. 499 (S-2) & 500 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                                  ON THIRD READING

Senate Bill 499 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Senate Bill 500 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)  

Sponsor:  Senator Kevin Daley (S.B. 499)

               Senator Jeff Irwin (S.B. 500)

Committee:  Health Policy and Human Services

CONTENT

Senate Bill 500 (S-1) 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.

Senate Bill 499 (S-2) would enact the "Complex Needs Patient Definitions Act" to prescribe defined terms as used in the Complex Needs Patient Act proposed in Senate Bill 500 (S-1).

The bills are tie-barred.

                                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

Senate Bill 499 (S-2) would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Senate Bill 500 (S-1) 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 presently are provided through the durable medical equipment benefit in Medicaid. There could be 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:  3-9-22                                                 Fiscal Analyst:  Ellyn Ackerman

                                                                                                           John Maxwell

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.