Substitute Senate Bill No. 308, known as Public Act No. 24-58, addresses the requirements for timely wheelchair repairs by authorized dealers in Connecticut. The bill defines key terms and mandates that repairs must be completed within ten business days, with dealers required to maintain communication channels for repair requests and respond promptly. It also sets forth that the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and the Department of Consumer Protection will handle complaints about repair issues, and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on wheelchair repairs for Medicaid recipients. The bill amends Section 17b-278i of the general statutes to facilitate Medicaid coverage of wheelchair repairs and establishes an advisory council to oversee repair processes and make recommendations for improvements. The act will be effective from July 1, 2024.

Additionally, the bill specifies the composition and duties of the advisory council, including the requirement for monthly meetings and an annual report to the General Assembly. It also introduces regulations for health insurance policies, effective January 1, 2025, to ease the process of repairing or replacing complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs without unnecessary prescriptions or prior authorizations, unless the original prescription is over five years old. The Insurance Commissioner is responsible for implementing these regulations. The text does not indicate any insertions or deletions, suggesting that the bill introduces new legal provisions rather than modifying existing ones.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HS Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 311:
Public Act No. 24-58: