Update to the RFR for an Independent Assessment Entity timeline and Other News
1. Independent Assessment Entity. At last month's Health Care Working Group meeting we discussed MassHealth's RFR to contract with a single entity to make assessments and determine eligibility for PCA services (including PCA services provided via One Care), Adult Day Health, Day Hab, Adult Foster Care, Group Adult Foster Care and PACE and the growing opposition to the plan among disability and elder services advocates, providers and legislators. In addition to letters opposing the plan and the process from the DAM Coalition, Mass Home Care, and the PCA Workforce Council, on March 27, the chairs of the Joint Elder Affairs Committee and Joint Committee on Children, Families and People with Disabilities wrote to the Secretary and the Governor asking them to delay the procurement and to provide a briefing for the committees. MassHealth has not withdrawn the RFR, but they have agreed to extend the deadline for bids from April 26 to Sept 6, 2024 and to post an RFI in mid-April as described in the email below. The RFR itself has not yet been updated.
2. Receiver appointed for Benjamin Nursing Home. In other news, the Suffolk Superior Court ordered appointment of Joseph D Feaster to be the Receiver for the Edgar Benjamin Nursing Home after a show cause hearing yesterday in a lawsuit filed March 28 on behalf of the nursing home residents by the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights. More information about the lawsuit from LCCR here, and coverage from the Globe here.
3. Final Medicaid Rules on Streamlining Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment and Renewal Processes Rules published April 2, 2024
4. New Rules for 2025 Marketplace Coverage. For more information on the final rule, see the fact sheet at https://www.cms.gov/
Hello All,
Please see the below important update to the Request for Responses (RFR) for an Independent Assessment Entity and details around the intent to Issue a Request for Information (RFI) Related to Independent Assessment Entity Procurement. This information is also available on the mass.gov webpage: https://www.mass.gov/info-
Thank you all so much for helping to get the word out and your continued partnership.
Please let me know if any questions.
Best-
Susan
On February 16, 2024, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) posted a procurement to improve member experience by improving the timeliness of clinical assessments for certain long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs; creating a streamlined process for members to understand what LTSS programs they are eligible to receive; and reducing the number of assessments members must undergo each year. EOHHS received feedback from stakeholders requesting further opportunities for input and indicating concern about the speed of the procurement process. In response, EOHHS is planning to issue a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit additional input from members, advocates, and other stakeholders, will host a listening session, and intends to extend the timeline for the procurement to allow for this additional input.
The RFI will:
1. Provide data to outline the member challenges the RFR is intending to address.
2. Solicit key feedback and information from stakeholders, advocates, and members relating to the improvements to the member experience EOHHS seeks to implement via the Independent Assessment Entity as well as to the scope and design of the Independent Assessment Entity procurement.
Bidders should know that amendments may be made to the RFR, the model contract, or other procurement documents as a result of questions asked to date and as a result of information received by EOHHS through the RFI.
EOHHS intends to post on COMMBUYS responses to the questions received about the Independent Assessment Entity procurement and any amendments to the RFR, model contract, or other procurement documents by an estimated date of June 14, 2024. Following this posting, Bidders will receive at least six weeks to complete and submit Bids on COMMBUYS.
EOHHS intends to post the RFI by an estimated date of April 16, 2024, with responses due on an estimated date of May 17, 2024. The actual response due date for the RFI will be provided in the RFI document.
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Initial Timeline |
Anticipated amended timeline (estimated) |
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EHS posts responses to questions and any amendments to the RFR and model contract April 5, 2024 |
EHS posts responses to questions and any amendments to the RFR and model contract June 14, 2024 |
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ADDED time for bidders to ask questions June 14, 2024 to June 28, 2024 |
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EHS posts responses to 2nd round of questions and any amendments to the RFR and model contract July 12, 2024 |
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RFR responses due April 26, 2024 |
RFR responses due September 6, 2024 |
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Vendor selection July 26, 2024 |
Vendor selection: January 1, 2025 |
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Contract Execution (estimated) January 1st, 2025 |
Contract Execution (estimated) May 1, 2025 |
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Pilot Start Date: (estimated) January 1st, 2026 |
Pilot Start Date: (estimated) Winter 2026 |