The bill proposes amendments to Section 40-8.9-9 of the General Laws, focusing on the reform of the state's long-term care system to ensure at least 50% of Medicaid funding for seniors and adults with disabilities is directed towards home- and community-based care. It mandates the executive office of health and human services to apply for waivers and state-plan amendments to meet this goal and to report annually on the funding distribution between institutional and home-based care. The bill emphasizes maintaining the financial viability of existing long-term care services while also making the system person-centered, with provisions for self-determination and individual choice. It includes maintaining current level-of-care criteria for existing beneficiaries, provisions for failed community placements, and the consolidation of home-based services into a single system with consumer direction and shared living options.

The bill also seeks to improve home- and community-based services by reforming Medicaid payment methodologies, establishing new certification standards for providers, and addressing the demand for home-care workers by increasing base-payment rates for personal care attendants and home health aides. It includes a one-time payment increase for FY 2019, an annual inflation increase starting July 1, 2019, and a payment methodology change for FY 2022. Additionally, the bill establishes a long-term-care-options counseling program, authorizes payments for transitioning beneficiaries from institutional to home care, and ensures resources for housing maintenance for those living at home. It also sets higher resource eligibility limits and requires the executive office to submit a state plan amendment for setting rates for chiropractic services. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6332: 40-8.9-9