Bill > S774

This bill aims to clarify the rate-setting processes for home health and home care services in Massachusetts. It amends the state's Medicaid law (Chapter 118E) to require the Executive Office to establish rates for home health agencies at least biennially, using the reported costs from no more than 4 years prior as the base year, and adjusting for reasonable costs, new regulatory requirements, and a reasonable profit factor. The bill also amends Chapter 19A to require the Executive Office to consider changes to the state minimum wage, employer payroll tax obligations, and wages for similar services in both public and private settings when setting rates for homemaker and personal care homemaker services for the elderly. The bill also mandates that the Executive Office and Secretary of Elder Affairs issue reports detailing how the rates were analyzed and determined, including comparisons to the Home Health Agency Market Basket index published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S774