JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri senators say Medicaid recipients who live outside the state should no longer receive health benefits through either a managed care plan or the state's health system.
The Senate gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure requiring the state's social services department to stop providing benefits if it gets information about a recipient living elsewhere.
The bill includes an exemption for foster children in state custody who may be temporarily living outside Missouri.
Republican Sen. Wayne Wallingford, of Cape Girardeau, says the state will likely save money by making the change to stop non-Missouri residents from collecting benefits.
He says there are about 500 managed-care Medicaid recipients who are living outside of the state.