The bill aims to establish continuous eligibility for Medicaid (RIte Track/RIte Care) for children up to age three in Rhode Island. This measure is intended to prevent children from losing their health coverage due to administrative barriers during the yearly eligibility redetermination process. The bill recognizes the importance of maintaining consistent health coverage to ensure access to preventive care, routine check-ups, and necessary treatments.
To implement this change, the bill amends the title of Chapter 42-12.3 from "Health Care for Children and Pregnant Women" to "ACT TO STABILIZE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN." It introduces a new section that mandates continuous eligibility for children under three years old until the end of the month in which their third birthday occurs. Continuous eligibility may end if the individual is no longer a resident of Rhode Island, if the parent or guardian requests termination, if the individual dies, or if the executive office of health and human services determines that eligibility was erroneously granted.
Additionally, the executive office of health and human services is required to seek any necessary amendments to the Rhode Island Medicaid Section 1115 waiver to implement this continuous eligibility. The act is set to take effect upon passage.