Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act
Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act
Plain Language Summary
# Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would make it easier for out-of-state doctors and healthcare providers to treat children covered by Medicaid and CHIP (the Children's Health Insurance Program) without going through additional state screening processes. Currently, providers from other states must meet each state's individual requirements before treating patients. Under this bill, qualified out-of-state providers could enroll for five years and treat children under 21 without these extra hurdles, as long as they meet basic safety standards (having no history of fraud or abuse and being approved by Medicare or another state's Medicaid program). **Who It Affects** This primarily affects families with low-income children covered by Medicaid or CHIP, who could potentially access a wider range of healthcare providers from neighboring or distant states.
It also affects healthcare providers who want to treat these patients across state lines more easily. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee (S 752, 119th Congress), sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. The changes would take effect three years after passage if approved.
CRS Official Summary
Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care ActThis bill requires states to establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may temporarily treat children under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) without undergoing additional screening requirements. Specifically, states must establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may enroll for five years as participating providers to treat individuals under the age of 21 without undergoing additional screening requirements.A qualifying out-of-state provider (1) must not have been excluded or terminated from participating in a federal health care program or state Medicaid program; and (2) must have been successfully enrolled in Medicare or a state Medicaid program based on a determination that the provider posed a limited risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.The bill’s changes take effect three years after enactment.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.