Bill > H1412

This bill aims to improve access to post-acute healthcare services in Massachusetts through several key provisions. The Office of Medicaid will work with the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association to support community discharge for MassHealth patients, including revising language in beneficiary notices, adopting transparent processes for service determinations, and expanding community resources for patients with chronic conditions. The bill establishes a new method for calculating Medicaid rates for non-acute care hospitals using base year costs from the most recent two years. It introduces a complex care ombudsman program within the statewide long-term care ombudsman's office, with case managers assigned to each of the state's five EMS regions to help hospitals manage patient discharges. Additionally, the bill creates a regional pilot program to increase capacity in skilled nursing facilities, particularly for patients with dementia and psychiatric needs, and establishes a task force to explore co-located medical services and telehealth capabilities in these facilities. The legislation also creates an Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight to protect vulnerable adults, allows probate courts to schedule dedicated healthcare case sessions, and develops a public outreach campaign to recruit guardians and conservators for patients without identified representatives.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1412