Amendment ID: S2889-41

Amendment 41

Preserving Residents' Beds

Messrs. Montigny, Keenan, Moore, Payano and Collins move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 16 the following section:-

“SECTION 16A.  Section 14A of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following two paragraphs:-

In the event that a nursing facility resident who is a MassHealth recipient enters a hospital, the division shall pay to preserve his or her bed in the nursing facility for a period of up to and including 20 days per medical event. The division shall reimburse the nursing facility for the medical leave of absence, which shall include an observation stay in a hospital in excess of 24 hours.

In the event a MassHealth member is residing in a nursing facility and requests a nonmedical leave of absence, the division shall pay to preserve his or her bed in the facility for a period of up to and including 10 calendar days per year. The division shall reimburse the nursing facility for the nonmedical leave of absence.”