LRB-0561/P2
JPC:amn
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Bollhorst, BB0133 - Reimbursement of community health worker services under Medicaid
For 2021-2023 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Health and human services
Medical Assistance
Community health worker services
This bill requires DHS to request any necessary waiver or amendment to the state Medical Assistance plan to allow Medical Assistance reimbursement for community health services. Under the bill, community health services are those services provided by a community health worker. A community health worker is one who serves as a liaison between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery, and who builds individual and community capacity by engaging in a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 49.45 (25r) of the statutes is created to read:
49.45 (25r) Community health worker services. (a) In this subsection:
1. “Community health services” means services provided by a community health worker.
2. “Community health worker” means a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of or has a close understanding of the community served, enabling the worker to serve as a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery, and who builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
(b) The department shall request any necessary waiver from, or submit any necessary amendments to the state Medical Assistance plan to, the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to provide community health services to eligible Medical Assistance recipients. If the waiver or state plan amendment is granted, the department shall reimburse certified providers for those community health services approved by the federal department of health and human services for Medical Assistance coverage and as provided to Medical Assistance recipients under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 9m.
Section
2. 49.46 (2) (b) 9m. of the statutes is created to read:
49.46 (2) (b) 9m. Community health services, as specified under s. 49.45 (25r).
(End)
