HR1403-119

What This Bill Does

The LIVE Beneficiaries Act amends Medicaid state-plan requirements. Starting January 1, 2027, the 50 States and the District of Columbia must review the Social Security Death Master File at least quarterly to identify enrolled Medicaid beneficiaries who may be deceased. When a State determines from that file that an enrolled individual has died, the bill's eligibility-verification requirements apply so deceased people do not remain enrolled for medical assistance under the State plan or waiver. The bill is a program-integrity measure aimed at reducing improper enrollment and payment risk.

Who Benefits and How

Federal taxpayers benefit if Medicaid stops paying capitation, claims, or administrative costs for deceased enrollees. State Medicaid programs benefit from a clearer quarterly data-matching rule for deceased-beneficiary cleanup. Medicaid program integrity units benefit because the Death Master File becomes a required screening source. Managed care oversight staff benefit if deceased-enrollee matches reduce improper capitation payments.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State Medicaid agencies must run quarterly Death Master File reviews beginning January 1, 2027. Eligibility workers must verify matches and update enrollment records under the new subsection. Medicaid managed care plans may lose payments tied to deceased enrollees who remain on rolls. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must oversee state compliance with the new plan requirement.

Key Provisions

• Requires quarterly Death Master File reviews for State Medicaid enrollment.
• Applies the requirement to the 50 States and District of Columbia beginning January 1, 2027.
• Directs States to identify deceased individuals enrolled under Medicaid plans or waivers.
• Strengthens Medicaid eligibility verification to prevent deceased individuals from remaining enrolled.