A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow a deduction for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for veterans' survivors when defining income for medicaid.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall apply for approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to adopt and implement a policy to allow a deduction from the definition of income for determining Medicaid eligibility any amount received as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. This policy shall only apply to populations who are not subject to the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) determination methodology. If the Department obtains approval from CMS, the Department shall implement this policy effective January 1, 2017.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, the sum of one million thirty‑eight thousand one hundred twenty‑three dollars ($1,038,123) in recurring funds for the 2016‑2017 fiscal year for costs associated with the eligibility changes required under Section 1 of this act. These funds shall provide a State match for an estimated two million eighty‑one thousand two hundred thirty‑six dollars ($2,081,236) in federal funds in the 2016‑2017 fiscal year, and those federal funds are hereby appropriated to the Division of Medical Assistance for the purpose described in this section.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.