This Minnesota House bill (H.F. No. 1502) proposes establishing a presumptive disability determination process for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) eligibility. It seeks to amend various sections of the Minnesota Statutes related to human services.

Key Provisions:

• Presumptive Disability Determination: The bill introduces a process that allows individuals to be considered presumptively disabled for Medical Assistance while awaiting a formal disability determination by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• Eligibility Expansion: It modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024 (Section 256B.055, Subdivision 7) to allow persons age 65 or older, or those who meet Supplemental Security Income (SSI) categorical requirements (excluding excess income/assets cases), to qualify for Medical Assistance.
• State Medical Review Team (SMRT) Referral: If an applicant is not determined to be aged or blind by initial criteria and has not been assessed by the Social Security Administration for disability, they will be referred to the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) for evaluation.

Purpose:

The bill aims to streamline access to Medical Assistance for individuals applying under a disability status by allowing provisional eligibility while their disability status is formally determined.

This bill was referred to the Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy for further review and discussion.