The bill amends Chapter 40-8.9 of the General Laws regarding "Medical Assistance Long-Term Care Service and Finance Reform" by introducing a new section on Medicaid bed hold requirements for assisted living services. It stipulates that a licensed assisted living community is not required to hold a residential unit for a Medicaid-eligible resident who is temporarily absent due to hospitalization or admission to a skilled nursing facility for a period exceeding ten (10) days, unless a Medicaid bed hold payment is provided. For any required bed hold period beyond ten (10) days, the executive office of health and human services shall provide a Medicaid bed hold payment to the assisted living community at a rate not less than fifty percent (50%) of the resident's assessed Medicaid assisted living reimbursement rate.

Additionally, the bill specifies that no assisted living community shall be required to maintain an unpaid bed hold for a Medicaid resident for a period exceeding forty-five (45) days in total, regardless of anticipated return status. It allows assisted living communities the discretion to voluntarily hold a unit for a longer period or to enter into a private payment arrangement with the resident or the resident's representative. The provisions apply only where the assisted living community has received written notice that the resident is reasonably expected to return to the assisted living setting. The executive office of health and human services is tasked with amending its regulations governing assisted living services to conform with this section and shall submit any necessary Medicaid state plan amendments or waivers required for implementation. The act will take effect upon passage and will apply to Medicaid-assisted living residents absent on or after July 1, 2026.