This bill (Disaster Relief Medicaid Act) creates a new Medicaid option to give medical coverage to people affected by declared disasters and emergencies. It adds a new section (section 1949) to the Social Security Act. The bill defines "disaster," who counts as a "survivor," and sets a "relief coverage period" that lasts 2 years after a disaster is declared. States must make medical assistance available to "relief-eligible survivors" with simplified applications, presumptive eligibility through qualified providers, and continuous eligibility during the relief coverage period. The bill allows states to provide home and community-based services and expanded mental health and care coordination services for survivors. States must issue a disaster relief Medicaid card to eligible people. The bill also requires states to report counts of people served and sets 100 percent federal matching for covered care and related administrative costs. It creates targeted full federal matching for assistance provided to residents of disaster "direct impact areas," pauses eligibility redeterminations in those areas during the relief coverage period, and allows certain waivers for areas hosting evacuees. It exempts months in a relief coverage period from counting toward Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties. The law would take effect on enactment, with a time delay allowed for states needing state legislation.
The bill's stated purpose is to provide Medicaid assistance to individuals and families affected by disasters or emergencies, streamline enrollment, and support access to home and community-based services and mental health care for disaster survivors. It also aims to ensure states receive full federal matching funds for that care.
No publicly available information.