Section 49 Medicare Savings Plan Expansion

Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 25A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 25A. (a) For individuals 65 years of age or older, the division shall not consider income in an amount equivalent to 65 per cent of the federal poverty level or assets in an amount equivalent to the federal resource limit for the Medicare Saving programs, each as adjusted annually, in determining eligibility for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualified Individual programs, described in 42 U.S.C. section 1396a(a)(10)(E) and also known as the Medicare Saving or Medicare Buy-In programs; provided, however, that until the division receives the federal approvals described in subsection (b), the division shall not consider income in the amount equal to 30 per cent of the federal poverty level. Enrollment in the Qualified Individual program shall be capped if the federal allotment for the program is exhausted.

(b) Prior to implementing subsection (a), the division shall obtain all required federal approvals, including amending its state plan and amending its 1115 waiver, as necessary, and shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.

This section allows individuals who are 65 years and older and eligible for Medicare up to 200% of the federal poverty level to participate in the Medicare Savings Program. The current limit is 165% of the federal poverty level.