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HB05481 • 2026

AN ACT CONCERNING A PILOT PROGRAM TO TREAT CERTAIN MEDICAID PATIENTS AT A SHORT-TERM HOSPITAL SPECIAL HOSPICE.

AN ACT CONCERNING A PILOT PROGRAM TO TREAT CERTAIN MEDICAID PATIENTS AT A SHORT-TERM HOSPITAL SPECIAL HOSPICE.

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Human Services Committee
Last action
2026-05-22
Official status
Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the number of patients to be included in the program or the exact funding allocated for it.

Pilot Program for Medicaid Patients in Hospice Care

This act creates a pilot program to provide hospice care at short-term hospital special hospices for certain Medicaid patients with advanced illnesses.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a pilot program to help eligible Medicaid patients receive hospice care at a short-term hospital special hospice.
  • Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to report on the development and potential savings of the pilot program by January 15, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Medicaid patients with advanced illnesses who need complex hospice care.
  • Short-term hospital special hospices that can provide this type of care.

Terms To Know

Pilot Program
A small-scale test to see if a new idea works before making it bigger.
Medicaid Patients
People who get health care help from the government because they don't have much money.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The program only covers certain patients and is a test to see if it works well.
  • It does not specify how many people will be helped by this program or the exact funding amount.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-22 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted to the Secretary of State

  2. 2026-05-22 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor

  3. 2026-05-19 LCO

    Public Act 26-71

  4. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Rules Suspended

  5. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A

  6. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A

  7. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    In Concurrence

  8. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 5857

  9. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A

  10. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17

  11. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

  12. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Calendar Number 540

  13. 2026-04-07 LCO

    Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

  14. 2026-04-07 Connecticut General Assembly

    Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

  15. 2026-04-07 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Calendar Number 310

  16. 2026-04-07 LCO

    File Number 426

  17. 2026-03-30 LCO

    Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 12:00 PM

  18. 2026-03-20 LCO

    Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

  19. 2026-03-19 HS

    Joint Favorable

  20. 2026-03-06 Connecticut General Assembly

    Public Hearing 03/10

  21. 2026-03-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Referred to Joint Committee on Human Services

Official Summary Text

To provide state medical assistance to cover room and board costs for patients receiving hospice care at a short-term hospice specialty hospital or a hospice facility.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Substitute House Bill No. 5481

Public Act No. 26-71

AN ACT CONCERNING A PILOT PROGRAM TO TREAT CERTAIN
MEDICAID PATIENTS AT A SHORT -TERM HOSPITAL SPECIAL
HOSPICE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1 . (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) (a) The Commissioner of
Social Services shall develop a pilot program to identify and utilize a
short-term hospital special hospice, licensed pursuant to section 19a-491
of the general statutes, to treat Medicaid patients with advanced illness
who qualif y for hospice and are clinically complex, high -acuity
individuals that cannot be safely managed at home or in a skilled
nursing facility, provided that such short -term hospital special hospice
does not practice outside of the scope of its license without obtaining the
appropriate license for the provision of care for such patients. Not later
than January 15, 2027, the commissioner or the commissioner's
designee, in accordance with the provisions of section 11 -4a of th e
general statutes, shall submit a report to the joint standing committees
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
appropriations, human services and public health on the development
of the pilot program, including any potential sa vings that may be
achieved and recommendations for funding or statutory changes.
(b) Within funds specifically appropriated for this purpose, the
Substitute House Bill No. 5481

Public Act No. 26-71 2 of 2

Department of Social Services shall implement such pilot program not
later than December 30, 2027.