HB 5561 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING A FIVE-YEAR MEDICAID RATE REVIEW, DENTAL REPRESENTATION ON A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OVERSIGHT COUNCIL, BIOMARKER TESTING AND OPIOID PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS AND A STUDY CONCERNING PAYMENT OF SPOUSES FOR STATE-SUBSIDIZED HOME CARE.

This bill establishes new Medicaid payment rates and service limits for adult dental care and cognitive assessments in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, it requires prior authorization for nonemergency dental services while exempting basic preventive care and medically necessary procedures from a $1,000 annual spending cap. The legislation also directs the state to update Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare standards for cognitive assessments and care planning for patients under 65 showing signs of cognitive impairment. Additionally, it creates a structured advisory council with representatives from various healthcare sectors to oversee Medicaid service modifications and ensure balanced oversight of dental benefit limitations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Signed Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill HS Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was converted from a standard version to a substitute version that updates the list of qualified medical professionals and adds new requirements for dental services. It also reorganizes the list of individuals appointed to a state advisory committee to include new stakeholder groups.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding eligible medical providers was expanded to include advanced practice registered nurses, and the scope of dental program requirements was modified to mandate prior authorization for nonemergency services.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'clinician' to replace 'nurse practitioner' and 'clinical nurse specialist' with 'advanced practice registered nurse' and 'clinical nurse specialist' respectively.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that all nonemergency dental services under the Department of Social Services must undergo prior authorization.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the composition of the state advisory committee by adding representatives for substance abuse disabilities, Medicaid dental providers, and the for-profit nursing home industry, while removing the requirement for a member of the General Assembly.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jun 2, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services
lower
36 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors