STREAMLINED ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS FOR CERTAIN FORMER FOSTER CARE YOUTH

(a) This section applies to a former foster care youth who is eligible for Medicaid under Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)), or any other law.

(b) The commission, in consultation with the Department of Family and Protective Services, shall design and implement a streamlined process for determining a former foster care youth's eligibility for Medicaid. The streamlined process must:

(1) provide for the automatic enrollment and recertification of a former foster care youth in the STAR Health program, the STAR Medicaid managed care program, or another Medicaid program, as appropriate;

(2) be designed to prevent any unnecessary interruption of the youth's Medicaid benefits, including any interruption related to having to recertify the youth for benefits; and

(3) if recertification is required under federal law, use a simple application and recertification process that:

(A) to the extent permitted by federal law, does not require that a youth verify that the youth is a resident of this state unless the commission determines that the youth is receiving Medicaid benefits outside of this state; or

(B) if federal law requires that a youth verify that the youth is a resident of this state, allows the youth to attest to that fact without providing additional documentation or evidence that proves the youth is a resident of this state. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 432 (S.B. 1059 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.