H.R. 6549House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Medicaid Estate Recovery Fairness Act of 2018

Introduced July 26, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:15 PM UTC

The Medicaid Estate Recovery Fairness Act of 2018 would change the Medicaid estate‑recovery rules so that states can only seek repayment from the estates of people who become newly eligible for Medicaid under a specific category. Instead of a blanket prohibition on adjustments, the bill allows limited recovery only for certain types of medical services. This affects Medicaid beneficiaries who qualify under the newly‑eligible classification and the states that administer Medicaid.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Medicaid estate‑recovery provision to replace the phrase “No adjustment” with “Subject to paragraph (6), no adjustment,” meaning adjustments are now allowed only as defined in the new paragraph.
  • Adds a new paragraph that limits estate recovery for newly eligible individuals (those described in subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)) to only the medical assistance services listed in clause (i) of paragraph (1)(B).

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

July 27, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 26, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

July 26, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

July 27, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 26, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6549

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 26, 2018

Mr. Nolan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to limit estate recovery under Medicaid with respect to newly eligible individuals, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicaid Estate Recovery Fairness Act of 2018.

2.

Limitation on estate recovery under Medicaid with respect to newly eligible individuals

Section 1917(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking No adjustment and inserting Subject to paragraph (6), no adjustment; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

Beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph, in the case of an individual who was enrolled under the State plan on the basis of being an individual described in subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) when the individual received medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of such individual under the State plan, the State may only seek adjustment or recovery from the individual’s estate for medical assistance consisting of services described in clause (i) of paragraph (1)(B).

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