COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENTS S.B. 449 & 450:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 449 (as reported without amendment)
Senate Bill 450 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Kevin Daley (S.B. 449)
Senator Jeff Irwin (S.B. 450)
CONTENT
Senate Bill 449 would add Section 108b to the Social Welfare Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish focused policies and promulgate focused rules that met certain requirements for complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) products and services.
Senate Bill 450 would add Section 108a to the Social Welfare Act and define terms as used in Section 108b proposed in Senate Bill 449.
The bills are tie-barred.
Proposed MCL 400.108b (S.B. 450)
MCL 400.108a (S.B. 449)
BRIEF RATIONALE
Under Medicaid, there is a gap in coverage for individuals who require specialized wheelchairs and wheelchair services. According to testimony, individuals who require, yet cannot attain specialized wheelchairs, often experience side effects such as chafing and rubbing that can lead to more serious health complications. Establishing focused policies and rules for CRT technology could result in more affordable, effective care for individuals who require CRT services.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
Senate Bills 449 and 450 are similar to Senate Bills 500 and 499, respectively, from the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. Senate Bills 499 and 500 passed the Senate but received no further action.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 449
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact. The bill would create recognition of what is commonly referred to as CRT as a separate category in the State's Medicaid program. This new category would include specialized, often individualized (to meet individual needs) equipment for a subset of disabled Medicaid clients whose equipment needs presently are provided through the durable medical equipment benefit in Medicaid. There could be greater specific equipment costs for this relatively small segment, but these costs could be more than offset by reduced costs due to improved health outcomes for individuals whose needs were
served better by more appropriate equipment. Because of the relatively narrow coverage group, any costs or savings would be minor relative to overall Medicaid costs.
Senate Bill 450
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 10-20-23 Fiscal Analyst: John P. Maxwell
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.