Amendment ID: S2889-4

Amendment 4

Long-term Care Eligibility Requirements Study

Ms. Kennedy moves that the proposed new text be amended by adding after section XX the following section:-

"SECTION XX. The division of medical assistance shall study the cost and feasibility of changes to the eligibility requirements for Medicaid long-term care services with the goal of reducing the time applicants spend at acute care hospitals awaiting long-term care eligibility determinations. The study shall consider: (i) improvements to the eligibility determination process; (ii) establishing a rebuttable presumption of eligibility; (iii) guaranteeing payment for long-term care services for up to 1 year regardless of eligibility status; and (iv) expanding the undue hardship waiver criteria. The division of medical assistance shall seek input from the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Inc., the Massachusetts Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and other interested stakeholders. The division of medical assistance shall submit a report with the results of its study and policy recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the house and senate committees on ways and means, not later than 180 days after the effective date of this act."