Health Update May 2, 2024: LTSS Edition
FY 2025 Budget
The Senate Ways & Means budget for FY 2025 is due out next Tuesday. One important issue affecting MassHealth is whether the Senate will agree with the House to block the cuts to the PCA program proposed by the Governor. Our friends at 1199 SEIU have set up a website with more information and an easy way to ask your legislators to support the PCA program
Independent Assessment Entity-Request for Information
In response to many questions and concerns raised about MassHealth's formal public announcement in mid-February that it was seeking a single bidder to both assume responsibility for making clinical assessments and eligibility determinations for the PCA program and other long term services, MassHealth has extended the bidding deadline by several months and issued a request for information. Advocates and providers had asked that the RFR be withdrawn to allow for a fuller and more meaningful discussion of the underlying problems EOHHS identified and how best to address them. That has not yet happened. Instead, MassHealth has posted a Request for Information that also serves as the agency's defense for its chosen single state-wide entity approach. Responses are due May 28 by 3 pm.
The Dignity Alliance Massachusetts (DAM) Coalition has been actively working on this issue along with other provider and consumer groups.
MLRI is interested in pulling together a group of legal aid and other consumer advocates to collaborate on a response to the RFI, if you are interested please get back to us.
Background reading from other states to give you an idea of what we are worried about: Maximus Accountability Project; Benefit Advocacy Technology Hub
A copy of the RFI is attached.
One Care Implementation Council
1. Apply to Joint the One Care Implementation Council by Wednesday, May 15
One Care is a managed care program for people with disabilities who initially enroll while under 65 and who have Medicare and MassHealth Standard/CommonHealth. The Implementation Council monitors and advises MassHealth on One Care. Enrollees may face new barriers to services as One Care changes from a demonstration project to a different structure in 2026. This makes having a strong and diverse Council extremely important. We need strong consumer voices from people in One Care or eligible for One Care. If there are specific people you believe would be potentially positive Council members here are a couple things to consider:
* stipends are provided for work done on Council activities
* language interpreters are provided
A copy of the application form is attached.
Information from MassHealth is posted here.
2. One Care Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 AM.
The One Care implementation Council will be holding its annual town hall meeting. The meeting provides an opportunity for One Care members and/or their family members to discuss their experiences with One Care. MassHealth and CMS officials take these listening sessions very seriously and are very quick to take actions that improve One Care member experience and One Care plan accountability. For logistical purposes, registration is required. See below for information you can post on your website and other social media:
Facebook: OC IC - Join us for the One Care Implementation Council's Annual... | Facebook<https://www.facebook.
X: https://twitter.com/OC_