HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 640        FILED ON: 1/10/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Steven Ultrino and Marjorie C. Decker

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act regarding Medicare savings programs eligibility.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 640        FILED ON: 1/10/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act regarding Medicare savings programs eligibility.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 25A of Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by replacing Section 25A with the following section:- 

SECTION  25A. The division shall disregard income in an amount equivalent to one-hundred-sixty-five percent (165%) of the federal poverty level, 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. §1396(a)(10)(E) and also known as the Medicare Savings or Medicare Buy-In Programs in the year in which the state plan amendment is approved;   

The division shall implement a waiting list in any year in which the number of qualified applicants for the Qualified Individual Program exceeds the annual block grant amount for said program;  

The division shall submit a state plan amendment to implement this section no later than 30 days after the effective date of this section and subsequently promulgate all regulations necessary to implement said income and asset disregards.