SB 6057
In CommitteeSenate
Concurrent medicaid enroll.
Using concurrent medicaid enrollment savings to fund opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill improves coordination between state agencies to identify and disenroll people who are enrolled in Washington’s Medicaid program while also being enrolled in another state’s Medicaid program—known as concurrent enrollment. Savings from recovered premiums are directed to fund STEM education, and new data-matching requirements aim to reduce duplicate enrollments. The bill also updates how interest earnings from the state treasury are distributed, including adding the new STEM education account to the list of beneficiaries.
- Requires the Health Care Authority (HCA) and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to collaborate on identifying Medicaid enrollees who have moved out of state, using data from the U.S. Postal Service, managed care plans, and other approved sources.
- Mandates that HCA begin using reliable data sources (like the National Change of Address database) to detect address changes for Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2027.
- Requires HCA to submit monthly Social Security numbers and other required information to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) starting October 1, 2029, to prevent dual state enrollment.
- Directs HCA to disenroll individuals found to be enrolled in Medicaid in another state—unless federal exceptions apply—and to adjust managed care contracts to allow recovery of premiums when members move out and receive no services.
- Creates the supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education account in the state treasury, funded by recovered Medicaid premiums, and restricts its use to STEM education programs.
- Requires the Office of the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit by December 31, 2031, evaluating progress in reducing duplicate Medicaid enrollments and premiums since the 2024 audit.
Who is affected
- Medicaid enrollees who relocate out of state — People enrolled in both Medicaid and other income-based programs (like food stamps) who move out of Washington may be disenrolled more quickly, affecting their access to health care.
- Managed care organizations — Managed care organizations that provide Medicaid services may need to adjust contracts and processes to allow the state to recover premiums when members move out of state without receiving services.
- Students and K–12 and higher education institutions — Students and schools across Washington benefit from increased funding for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education through recovered Medicaid premiums.
- State health and human services agencies — State agencies—especially the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA)—must coordinate to identify and act on duplicate or out-of-state Medicaid enrollments.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (3)
Creates a dedicated, ring-fenced account for STEM education funded by recovered Medicaid overpayments—reallocating funds that would otherwise be lost to inefficiency, thereby increasing resources for K–12 and higher education without raising taxes.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)Improves program integrity by using USPS data and managed care plan verification to detect out-of-state moves, reducing fraud and ensuring Medicaid resources serve Washington residents as intended—protecting taxpayer dollars and program credibility.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a)-(c)Mandates a performance audit by the State Auditor to evaluate progress in reducing duplicate enrollments, promoting transparency and accountability in state health spending that benefits local governments and taxpayers.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(3)
Potential Concerns (4)
Medicaid enrollees who relocate out of state may face abrupt disenrollment without adequate notice or opportunity to appeal, potentially causing gaps in care and coverage instability for low-income individuals who move frequently due to economic hardship or housing insecurity.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)The bill authorizes use of data sources approved by federal CMS, but lacks explicit privacy safeguards or opt-out mechanisms for enrollees, raising concerns about surveillance and potential misuse of sensitive personal data without robust due process protections.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(d)Managed care organizations (MCOs) will bear administrative costs to adjust contracts and implement premium recovery processes, which may reduce their willingness to serve Medicaid populations or increase administrative overhead passed on to the state.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)STEM education funding is tied to recovered Medicaid premiums, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in enrollment compliance and federal audit outcomes—potentially creating unstable, unpredictable funding for schools rather than sustained investment.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income residents who move out of state (e.g., for jobs, family, or affordability) may lose Medicaid coverage quickly without adequate transition, risking coverage gaps and delayed care—especially harmful for those with chronic conditions or disabilities.
MCOs must revise contracts and invest in systems to track member residency and recover premiums, increasing administrative burden and potentially reducing provider participation in Medicaid if reimbursement becomes less predictable.
K–12 schools and higher education institutions gain a new dedicated funding stream for STEM programs, but the source—recoverable Medicaid overpayments—is variable and subject to federal audit cycles, creating uncertainty in long-term planning.
DSHS and HCA gain new data-sharing mandates and disenrollment authority, improving program integrity but requiring significant operational coordination and training to avoid wrongful disenrollments or legal challenges.