Healthcare (Medicaid)

This bill extends Nebraska's existing ban on including long-term care services in the Medicaid managed care program until July 1, 2030. It prohibits adding services like skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, assisted living, and home-based care to Medicaid managed care plans. The policy directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries seeking long-term care services and providers that would otherwise deliver these services through Medicaid managed care. The bill amends Section 68-994 of Nebraska law to update the end date and repeals the previous version of the section.

LB 1221 defines key terms for Nebraska's Medical Assistance program (Medicaid) regarding community engagement and work requirements for recipients facing short-term hardships. It adds specific definitions, including what constitutes "inpatient hospital services" (covering admission day and related care), "outside the individual's community" (travel beyond their county), and "serious medical condition" (aligned with federal Medicaid guidelines). These definitions will directly affect Medicaid recipients who may be subject to work or community participation requirements. The bill is purely procedural, creating clear terms to implement federal requirements under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" without changing program benefits or eligibility rules.