Budget Amendment ID: FY2012-S3-477

EHS 477

Senior Care Options

Messrs. Petruccelli and Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section                  , the following new Section:-

“SECTION      .  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the executive office of health and human services shall direct MassHealth to provide each beneficiary age 65 and over with an annual notice of the options for enrolling in voluntary programs including Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, Senior Care Options (SCO) plans, Frail Elder Home and Community Based Waiver Program or any other voluntary elected benefit to which they are entitled to supplement or replace their MassHealth benefits. MassHealth will also ensure that a similar notice is provided to individuals age 55 and over when they first become eligible for Medicare or MassHealth and to individuals inquiring about long term nursing home placement. Such notice shall include a method for the beneficiary to indicate interest in receiving additional information for any programs identified as of interest to them. The same notice should be supplied to the beneficiary every time they are subject to a redetermination of eligibility. A draft of the proposed language and format for providing information to beneficiaries will be circulated to each of these programs for review and comment prior to finalization.

The executive office of health and human services shall establish rules and regulations upon the passage of this section on or before June 30, 2011.”