Budget Amendment ID: FY2014-S3-524

EHS 524

Senior Care Option

Mr. Petruccelli moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section 145, the following new section:- "Section XX.  Subsection (e) of section 9D of Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following paragraph:-

(6) The executive office 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, SCO plans, Frail Elder Home and Community Based Waiver Program or anyother voluntary elected benefit to which they are entitled to supplement or replace their MassHealth benefits.  Provided that MassHealth receives approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, MassHealth shall arrange that such annual notice include the names and contact information for the program providers, general contract information for MassHealth and general description of the benefits of joining particular programs in clear and simple language in method to request for the same information in a language other than English.  Such notice shall include a method for the beneficiary to indicate interest in receiving additional information or any programs identified as of interest to them.  A draft of the proposed language and format for providing information to beneficiaries will be circulated to the providers contracted to provide each of these programs for review and comment prior to finalization.  In addition the division 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.”