Budget Amendment ID: FY2012-S3-457-R1

Redraft EHS 457

Senior Care Options

Ms. Chandler and Ms. Jehlen and Mr. Michael Moore and Ms. Clark and Messrs. Richard Moore, Downing, Tarr and Petruccelli moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section 61, the following new Section:-

""SECTION 61A.  Paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of section 9D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding  the following paragraph:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, MassHealth shall provide to each beneficiary age 65 and over an annual notice of options available for enrollment in voluntary programs including Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly plans, MassHealth Senior Care Options, Frail Elder Home and Community Based Waiver Program and any other voluntary elected benefit to which such beneficiary is entitled to supplement or replace such beneficiary’s MassHealth benefits. Upon approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, MassHealth shall include in such annual notice the names and contact information for the program providers, general contact information for MassHealth and a general description of the benefits of joining particular programs.  The notice shall be written in clear and simple language and shall include instructions for requesting a copy of such notice in a language other than English. The notice shall include a method for the beneficiary to request from MassHealth additional information on any program described in the notice. Before the content and format of the annual notice is finalized, the proposed draft thereof shall be forwarded to the providers under contract with MassHealth to provide the programs described the proposed annual notice for review and comment prior to the printing and dissemination of the annual notice.  MassHealth will work with the program providers and other appropriate stakeholders to assess whether and to what extent barriers to program enrollment shall be alleviated through modifications to the program and or the enrollment process. MassHealth may charge the providers of these benefits for the costs associated with provision of the annual notice if such provider’s program is described therein.”; and

by inserting after Section 146 the following section:-

“SECTION 146A.  The executive office of health and human services shall adopt regulations to implement section 61A not later than  December 31, 2011.”