FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

0588, 2154, 8838

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund,Other Fund Federal Funds

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to qualify children of state employees and any other person employed in this state whose annual income is $25,000 a year or less for the West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program. WVCHIP cannot implement this bill as written, as the bill imposes different eligibility requirements than the current program, as well as contradicts other federal regulations, such as the program's ability to supplement other insurance, which it can not. WVCHIP would have to use the same eligibility requirements for public employees as it would other applicants. Historically, federal regulations have prohibited children of public employees from enrolling in the CHIP, regardless of whether or not the children were actually enrolled in the public employees' health plan. However, Section 2101 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as amended by Section 10203, makes revisions to the federal law pertaining to the exclusion of children of public employees from coverage under the CHIP, and provides two options for states to allow children of public employees to enroll. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should release guidance about these options soon.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2011
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):






Memorandum


The purpose of this bill is to qualify children of state employees and any other person employed in this state whose annual income is $25,000 a year or less for the West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program. WVCHIP cannot implement this bill as written, as the bill imposes different eligibility requirements than the current program, as well as contradicts other federal regulations, such as the program's ability to supplement other insurance, which it can not. WVCHIP would have to use the same eligibility requirements for public employees as it would other applicants. Historically, federal regulations have prohibited children of public employees from enrolling in the CHIP, regardless of whether or not the children were actually enrolled in the public employees' health plan. However, Section 2101 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as amended by Section 10203, makes revisions to the federal law pertaining to the exclusion of children of public employees from coverage under the CHIP, and provides two options for states to allow children of public employees to enroll. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should release guidance about these options soon.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Stacey Shamblin
    Email Address: stacey.l.shamblin@wv.gov