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Read. Follow. Verify.Connecticut requires Department of Social Services to phase in Medicaid provider rate increases and consolidate fee schedules by June 2029
Last action · April 7, 2026: File Number 488Sponsors: Martin Looney and 5 others
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What This Bill Proposed
The Department of Social Services must phase in Medicaid provider rate increases starting July 1, 2026, ensuring all rates equal at least 75% of Medicare rates or an equivalent regional benchmark by June 30, 2029. The measure also requires the commissioner to consolidate provider fee schedules and mandates ongoing rate reviews by the Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight.
Increases state expenditures for health care provider reimbursements by an estimated $150 million when fully annualized, altering how medical professionals are compensated for serving Medicaid enrollees.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Medicaid providers
Department of Social Services
The department is required to phase in rate increases, consolidate fee schedules, and manage budget impacts.
Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight
The council must develop an ongoing systemic review of rates and file annual reports with legislative committees.
Key Facts
- The Department of Social Services commissioner must phase in Medicaid provider rate increases beginning July 1, 2026, and complete the phase-in by June 30, 2029.
- By June 30, 2029, all Medicaid provider rates must equal at least 75% of recent Medicare rates for the same services, or an equivalent percentage of the five-state rate benchmark.
- The five-state rate benchmark is the average of rates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon.
- Beginning June 30, 2029, the commissioner must adjust rates annually based on Medicare rates, benchmark percentages, or the Medicare Economic Index.
Show all 8 facts
- The commissioner must streamline and consolidate existing fee schedules so every provider is reimbursed using the same schedule, incorporating Medicare fee schedules where applicable.
- The Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight must develop and implement an ongoing systemic review of reimbursement rates.
- Starting January 15, 2027, the council must report annually to the Appropriations and Human Services committees with recommendations on necessary appropriations.
- The fiscal note estimates state costs at approximately $150 million when annualized by the end of the phase-in period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the five-state rate benchmark used in the bill?
Who is responsible for reviewing reimbursement rates on an ongoing basis?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · on the Senate floor.
Procedural history
9 actions- Apr 7, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFile Number 488
- Apr 7, 2026SenateSenate Calendar Number 300
- Apr 7, 2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Apr 7, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Mar 30, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 12:00 PM
- Mar 20, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Show 3 earlier actions
- Mar 19, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyJoint Favorable
- Mar 13, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyPublic Hearing 03/17
- Mar 12, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommitteeReferred to Joint Committee on Human Services
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Estimated Multi-Year State Fiscal Impact
The fiscal note projects state costs reaching approximately $150 million when annualized by fiscal year 2029 due to phased-in rate benchmarks.
Connected Entities
Sources
cga.ct.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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