Bill > S356

This bill aims to promote equal choice and cost savings in healthcare, particularly for seniors. It proposes to expand coverage for "residential habilitation services," which are ongoing support services provided in a home-like setting to help individuals acquire or maintain skills for community living, including daily assistance with personal care and integration into the community, for individuals aged 60 and older who are eligible for long-term care. Additionally, the bill seeks to provide up to 60 days of "MassHealth Home and Community Based Services" without requiring prior approval for individuals discharged from hospitals or nursing facilities who are presumed to be financially eligible for MassHealth and clinically eligible for these services, as determined by specific elder care agencies. It also clarifies that spouses can be considered "family members" for paid caregiver programs within home and community-based services, and it mandates that the "personal care attendant program," which provides assistance with daily living activities, must include individuals who need supervision and prompting for two or more such activities, even if they don't require constant direct care.