Bill > S749

This bill aims to protect the homes of seniors and disabled people on MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It amends the existing law to limit the circumstances under which the state can recover Medicaid costs from a person's estate after they pass away, including providing more exceptions for undue hardship. This includes specific criteria for when the state must defer or waive recovery, such as if the home is occupied by a surviving spouse, child under 21, or disabled child. 2. It requires the state's Medicaid agency (MassHealth) to provide clear, non-technical notices to individuals about the estate recovery process, including what may be subject to recovery and how to obtain an accounting of the amount owed. 3. It requires additional notice to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care or other capitated payment arrangements about how their Medicaid spending under those models will be calculated for purposes of estate recovery. 4. It authorizes the state to file any necessary plan amendments or waivers with the federal government to implement the provisions of the bill. The overall goal is to provide more protections for the homes and assets of low-income seniors and disabled individuals who rely on Medicaid for their long-term care and medical needs.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S749