Senate Bill No. 327 aims to expand emergency Medicaid coverage in Connecticut by requiring the Department of Social Services (DSS) to broaden the definition of "emergency medical condition" to include various specific conditions. The bill defines an emergency medical condition as one that presents acute symptoms severe enough to potentially jeopardize a patient's health, impair bodily functions, or cause dysfunction of an organ or body part. The expansion includes conditions such as high-risk pregnancies, type 1 diabetes in individuals under 21, diabetic emergencies (including diabetic ketoacidosis), renal failure requiring dialysis, and several others. The bill also mandates that by July 1, 2027, the DSS commissioner must establish a system for individuals to apply in advance for emergency Medicaid coverage for outpatient treatment of these conditions.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language that specifies the conditions eligible for emergency Medicaid coverage and requires the DSS to provide accessible information about the application process on its website and in departmental materials. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is expected to incur administrative costs of at least $250,000 in FY 27, with potential federal reimbursement of approximately $125,000. The current emergency Medicaid policy, which typically covers only sudden medical emergencies, will be updated to allow for pre-approval of treatments for chronic conditions that may lead to emergencies if left untreated.