Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB428: Medical Assistance; Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; direct
Status: Signed into law, May 11, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification for Medicaid reimbursement of certain home and community based services; to provide for implementation upon approval; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification for Medicaid reimbursement of certain home and community based services; to provide for implementation upon approval; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification for Medicaid reimbursement of certain home and community based services; to provide for implementation upon approval; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "49-4-142.6. (a) Not later than December 31, 2026, the department may submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification for Medicaid reimbursement of home and community based services for recipients of medical assistance who are over the age of 21 and in need of mental health services but do not require an institutional level of care, as determined by consideration of associated risk S. B. SB 428/AP factors, including, but not limited to, a history of hospitalization stays, psychiatric crises, emergency department visits, prior incarceration, …