SENATE DOCKET, NO. 712        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 528

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas M. McGee

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to adult foster care rate adjustment.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 712        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 528

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act relative to adult foster care rate adjustment.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall pursuant to General Laws Chapter 118E, Sections 13C-13D, as amended by Section 123 of Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012, complete a review of Mass Health payment rates for Adult Foster Care services by September 1, 2013. The Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall promulgate regulations, effective January 1, 2014, on increasing said rates by 8% above the rates in effect since 2008.

In conducting said review, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall consider, consistent with Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012: (i) innovative program features that lower the growth of long-term care and health care costs; (ii) opportunities for incorporating alternative payment methodologies that will promote caregiver recruitment and retention and foster improved consumer access and health outcomes; (iii) the lack of a timely and comprehensive rate review for Adult Foster Care services since 2008.