§ 40-8.7-9. Regulations and commencement of program. (a) The department of human services shall promulgate the rules or regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act by September 30, 2011, and enrollment of individuals with disabilities in the Medicaid buy-in program shall commence under the new rules on or before January 1, 2012.

(b) The department of human services shall provide quarterly progress reports to the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees by the fifteenth (15th) day of the following month of each quarter, from date of passage until March 2013.

(c) By March 31, 2013, the department shall report annually to the governor and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees on data included, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The number of applications, the number of approved applications, the number of applicants who are currently eligible for other forms of medical coverage;

(2) Demographics including: age, sex, employment supports provided; and primary disabling condition, as permissible under the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy and security rules;

(3) Prior and current participation in other public assistance programs including Medicare, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), including the 1619(b) provision;

(4) The number of beneficiaries employed, and the average wage of those beneficiaries prior to and post Medicaid buy-in plan eligibility;

(5) The amounts of premiums collected;

(6) Medicaid claims data including pre-buy-in, while on the buy-in, and if disenrolled, after buy-in to perform an analysis of costs/per member, per month, of buy-in enrollees shall also be provided by the Medicaid agency to the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant recipient, as provided for in the data use agreement;

(7) Findings and recommendations with regard to "best practices" used by other states in the New England region and nationwide that should be considered to increase employment among Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities and how to best support Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities who are working; and

(8) Identification and strategies that the finance committees should consider regarding challenges or opportunities for workers with disabilities in Rhode Island as the Affordable Care Act is implemented; including, but not limited to, ensuring that employment supportive policies and supports are integrated into the state's design and implementation of the following long-term care Affordable Care Act provisions: Section 10202-Balancing Incentive Payments Plan (BIPP); 1915(i) State Plan Amendment; Section 2401-Community First Choice (CFC); Section 2703-Health Homes for Individuals with chronic conditions; Money Follows the Person; 2014 Medicaid Expansion; and the dual eligible integrated care plan models.

History of Section. (P.L. 2004, ch. 343, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 354, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 241, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 253, § 1.)