2014 -- S 2471

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LC003971

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Felag, Ottiano, Bates, and Pichardo

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 40-6-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     40-6-27. Supplemental security income. -- (a) (1) The director of the department is

hereby authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of the state with the secretary of the

Department of Health and Human Services or other appropriate federal officials, under the

supplementary and security income (SSI) program established by title XVI of the Social Security

Act, 42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq., concerning the administration and determination of eligibility

for SSI benefits for residents of this state, except as otherwise provided in this section. The state's

monthly share of supplementary assistance to the supplementary security income program shall

be as follows:

     (i) Individual living alone: $39.92

     (ii) Individual living with others: $51.92

     (iii) Couple living alone: $79.38

     (iv) Couple living with others: $97.30

     (v) Individual living in state licensed assisted living residence: $332.00 $538.00

     (vi) Individual living in state licensed supportive residential care settings that, depending

on the population served, meet the standards set by the department of human services in

conjunction with the department(s) of children, youth and families, elderly affairs and/or

behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals: $300.00.

     Provided, however, that the department of human services shall by regulation reduce,

effective January 1, 2009, the state's monthly share of supplementary assistance to the

supplementary security income program for each of the above listed payment levels, by the same

value as the annual federal cost of living adjustment to be published by the federal social security

administration in October 2008 and becoming effective on January 1, 2009, as determined under

the provisions of title XVI of the federal social security act [42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq.] and

provided further, that it is the intent of the general assembly that the January 1, 2009 reduction in

the state's monthly share shall not cause a reduction in the combined federal and state payment

level for each category of recipients in effect in the month of December 2008; provided further,

that the department of human services is authorized and directed to provide for payments to

recipients in accordance with the above directives.

     (2) As of July 1, 2010, state supplement payments shall not be federally administered and

shall be paid directly by the department of human services to the recipient.

     (3) Individuals living in institutions shall receive a twenty dollar ($20.00) per month

personal needs allowance from the state which shall be in addition to the personal needs

allowance allowed by the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. section 301 et seq.

     (4) Individuals living in state licensed supportive residential care settings and assisted

living residences who are receiving SSI shall be allowed to retain a minimum personal needs

allowance of fifty-five dollars ($55.00) per month from their SSI monthly benefit prior to

payment of any monthly fees.

     (5) To ensure that supportive residential care or an assisted living residence is a safe and

appropriate service setting, the department is authorized and directed to make a determination of

the medical need and whether a setting provides the appropriate services for those persons who:

     (i) Have applied for or are receiving SSI, and who apply for admission to supportive

residential care setting and assisted living residences on or after October 1, 1998; or

     (ii) Who are residing in supportive residential care settings and assisted living residences,

and who apply for or begin to receive SSI on or after October 1, 1998.

     (6) The process for determining medical need required by subsection (4) of this section

shall be developed by the office of health and human services in collaboration with the

departments of that office and shall be implemented in a manner that furthers the goals of

establishing a statewide coordinated long-term care entry system as required pursuant to the

Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver.

     (7) To assure access to high quality coordinated services, the department is further

authorized and directed to establish rules specifying the payment certification standards that must

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be met by those state licensed supportive residential care settings and assisted living residences

admitting or serving any persons eligible for state-funded supplementary assistance under this

section. Such payment certification standards shall define:

     (i) The scope and frequency of resident assessments, the development and

implementation of individualized service plans, staffing levels and qualifications, resident

monitoring, service coordination, safety risk management and disclosure, and any other related

areas;

     (ii) The procedures for determining whether the payment certifications standards have

been met; and

     (iii) The criteria and process for granting a one time, short-term good cause exemption

from the payment certification standards to a licensed supportive residential care setting or

assisted living residence that provides documented evidence indicating that meeting or failing to

meet said standards poses an undue hardship on any person eligible under this section who is a

prospective or current resident.

     (8) The payment certification standards required by this section shall be developed in

collaboration by the departments, under the direction of the executive office of health and human

services, so as to ensure that they comply with applicable licensure regulations either in effect or

in development.

     (b) The department is authorized and directed to provide additional assistance to

individuals eligible for SSI benefits for:

     (1) Moving costs or other expenses as a result of an emergency of a catastrophic nature

which is defined as a fire or natural disaster; and

     (2) Lost or stolen SSI benefit checks or proceeds of them; and

     (3) Assistance payments to SSI eligible individuals in need because of the application of

federal SSI regulations regarding estranged spouses; and the department shall provide such

assistance in a form and amount, which the department shall by regulation determine.

     SECTION 2. Section 40-6-27.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

Assistance Act" is hereby repealed.

     40-6-27.2. Supplementary cash assistance payment for certain supplemental security

income recipients. -- There is hereby established a $206 monthly payment for disabled and

elderly individuals who, on or after July 1, 2012, receive the state supplementary assistance

payment for an individual in state licensed assisted living residence under section 40-6-27 and

further reside in an assisted living facility that is not eligible to receive funding under Title XIX

of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. section 1381 et seq.

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     SECTION 3. Section 40-8.9-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8.9 entitled "Medical

Assistance - Long-Term Care Service and Finance Reform" is hereby amended to read as

follows:

     40-8.9-9. Long-term care re-balancing system reform goal. -- (a) Notwithstanding any

other provision of state law, the department of human services is authorized and directed to apply

for and obtain any necessary waiver(s), waiver amendment(s) and/or state plan amendments from

the secretary of the United States department of health and human services, and to promulgate

rules necessary to adopt an affirmative plan of program design and implementation that addresses

the goal of allocating a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of Medicaid long-term care funding for

persons aged sixty-five (65) and over and adults with disabilities, in addition to services for

persons with developmental disabilities and mental disabilities, to home and community-based

care on or before December 31, 2013; provided, further, the executive office of health and human

services shall report annually as part of its budget submission, the percentage distribution

between institutional care and home and community-based care by population and shall report

current and projected waiting lists for long-term care and home and community-based care

services. The department is further authorized and directed to prioritize investments in home and

community-based care and to maintain the integrity and financial viability of all current long-

term care services while pursuing this goal.

      (b) The reformed long-term care system re-balancing goal is person-centered and

encourages individual self-determination, family involvement, interagency collaboration, and

individual choice through the provision of highly specialized and individually tailored home-

based services. Additionally, individuals with severe behavioral, physical, or developmental

disabilities must have the opportunity to live safe and healthful lives through access to a wide

range of supportive services in an array of community-based settings, regardless of the

complexity of their medical condition, the severity of their disability, or the challenges of their

behavior. Delivery of services and supports in less costly and less restrictive community settings,

will enable children, adolescents and adults to be able to curtail, delay or avoid lengthy stays in

long-term care institutions, such as behavioral health residential treatment facilities, long-term

care hospitals, intermediate care facilities and/or skilled nursing facilities.

      (c) Pursuant to federal authority procured under section 42-7.2-16 of the general laws,

the department of human services is directed and authorized to adopt a tiered set of criteria to be

used to determine eligibility for services. Such criteria shall be developed in collaboration with

the state's health and human services departments and, to the extent feasible, any consumer

group, advisory board, or other entity designated for such purposes, and shall encompass

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eligibility determinations for long-term care services in nursing facilities, hospitals, and

intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded as well as home and community-based

alternatives, and shall provide a common standard of income eligibility for both institutional and

home and community-based care. The department is, subject to prior approval of the general

assembly, authorized to adopt criteria for admission to a nursing facility, hospital, or

intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded that are more stringent than those employed

for access to home and community-based services. The department is also authorized to

promulgate rules that define the frequency of re-assessments for services provided for under this

section. Legislatively approved levels of care may be applied in accordance with the following:

      (1) The department shall apply pre-waiver level of care criteria for any Medicaid

recipient eligible for a nursing facility, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally

retarded as of June 30, 2009, unless the recipient transitions to home and community based

services because he or she: (a) Improves to a level where he/she would no longer meet the pre-

waiver level of care criteria; or (b) The individual chooses home and community based services

over the nursing facility, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded. For the

purposes of this section, a failed community placement, as defined in regulations promulgated by

the department, shall be considered a condition of clinical eligibility for the highest level of care.

The department shall confer with the long-term care ombudsperson with respect to the

determination of a failed placement under the ombudsperson's jurisdiction. Should any Medicaid

recipient eligible for a nursing facility, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally

retarded as of June 30, 2009 receive a determination of a failed community placement, the

recipient shall have access to the highest level of care; furthermore, a recipient who has

experienced a failed community placement shall be transitioned back into his or her former

nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded whenever possible.

Additionally, residents shall only be moved from a nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care

facility for the mentally retarded in a manner consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

      (2) Any Medicaid recipient eligible for the highest level of care who voluntarily leaves a

nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded shall not be subject

to any wait list for home and community based services.

      (3) No nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded

shall be denied payment for services rendered to a Medicaid recipient on the grounds that the

recipient does not meet level of care criteria unless and until the department of human services

has: (i) performed an individual assessment of the recipient at issue and provided written notice to

the nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded that the

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recipient does not meet level of care criteria; and (ii) the recipient has either appealed that level of

care determination and been unsuccessful, or any appeal period available to the recipient

regarding that level of care determination has expired.

      (d) The department of human services is further authorized and directed to consolidate

all home and community-based services currently provided pursuant to section 1915(c) of title

XIX of the United States Code into a single system of home and community-based services that

include options for consumer direction and shared living. The resulting single home and

community-based services system shall replace and supersede all section 1915(c) programs when

fully implemented. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the resulting single program home and

community-based services system shall include the continued funding of assisted living services

at any assisted living facility financed by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance

corporation prior to January 1, 2006, and shall be in accordance with chapter 66.8 of title 42 of

the general laws as long as assisted living services are a covered Medicaid benefit.

      (e) The department of human services is authorized to promulgate rules that permit

certain optional services including, but not limited to, homemaker services, home modifications,

respite, and physical therapy evaluations to be offered subject to availability of state-appropriated

funding for these purposes.

      (f) To promote the expansion of home and community-based service capacity, the

department of human services is authorized and directed to pursue rate reform for homemaker,

personal care (home health aide) and adult day care services, as follows:

      (1) A prospective base adjustment effective, not later than July 1, 2008, across all

departments and programs, of ten percent (10%) of the existing standard or average rate,

contingent upon a demonstrated increase in the state-funded or Medicaid caseload by June 30,

2009;

      (2) Development, not later than September 30, 2008, of certification standards

supporting and defining targeted rate increments to encourage service specialization and

scheduling accommodations including, but not limited to, medication and pain management,

wound management, certified Alzheimer's Syndrome treatment and support programs, and shift

differentials for night and week-end services; and

      (3) Development and submission to the governor and the general assembly, not later than

December 31, 2008, of a proposed rate-setting methodology for home and community-based

services to assure coverage of the base cost of service delivery as well as reasonable coverage of

changes in cost caused by wage inflation.

      (g) The department, in collaboration with the executive office of human services, shall

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implement a long-term care options counseling program to provide individuals or their

representatives, or both, with long-term care consultations that shall include, at a minimum,

information about: long-term care options, sources and methods of both public and private

payment for long-term care services and an assessment of an individual's functional capabilities

and opportunities for maximizing independence. Each individual admitted to or seeking

admission to a long-term care facility regardless of the payment source shall be informed by the

facility of the availability of the long-term care options counseling program and shall be provided

with long-term care options consultation if they so request. Each individual who applies for

Medicaid long-term care services shall be provided with a long-term care consultation.

      (h) The department of human services is also authorized, subject to availability of

appropriation of funding, to pay for certain expenses necessary to transition residents back to the

community; provided, however, payments shall not exceed an annual or per person amount.

      (i) To assure the continued financial viability of nursing facilities, the department of

human services is authorized and directed to develop a proposal for revisions to section 40-8-19

that reflect the changes in cost and resident acuity that result from implementation of this re-

balancing goal. Said proposal shall be submitted to the governor and the general assembly on or

before January 1, 2010.

      (j) To ensure persons with long-term care needs who remain living at home have

adequate resources to deal with housing maintenance and unanticipated housing related costs, the

department of human services is authorized to develop higher resource eligibility limits for

persons on home and community waiver services who are living in their own homes or rental

units.

     (k) To promote increased access to assisted living services for Medicaid beneficiaries and

to accelerate the rebalancing of the long-term care system, the Executive Office of Health and

Human Services (“executive office”) shall pursue reimbursement rate reform for assisted living.

In pursuing assisted living reimbursement rate reform, the executive office shall:

     (1) Solicit input and consult regularly with representatives from relevant stakeholder

groups, including, but not limited to, the Rhode Assisted Living Association and Leading Age RI;

     (2) Include in the assisted living reimbursement rate reform plan, at a minimum, the

following elements:

     (i) A tiered, acuity based reimbursement system for Medicaid assisted living services to

replace the existing per diem flat rate. In pursuing a tiered reimbursement system, the executive

office shall ensure that the lowest payment tier is no lower than the flat rate in existence on

January 1, 2014;

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     (ii) Annual adjustments to the Medicaid assisted living services reimbursement rates by a

percentage amount equal to the change in a recognized national long-term care inflation index

to be applied on October 1 of each year;

     (3) Explore options for an enhanced Medicaid services reimbursement rate for assisted

living residences that are required by regulation to offer single-occupant apartments;

     (4) Explore options for reimbursement rate adjustments for state licensed assisted

living residences that are not eligible to receive funding under Title XIX of the Social

Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.;

     (5) Provide the Speaker of the House, Senate President, Chairperson of the House

Committee on Health Education and Welfare, and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on

Health and Human Services with an assisted living rate reform progress report no later than

October 1, 2014;

     (6) The Executive Office is hereby authorized and directed to file a state plan amendment

with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in order to implement assisted living

reimbursement rate reform no later than January 1, 2015.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

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     This act eliminates unnecessary language regarding supplementary assistance and

increases access to assisted living services for Medicaid beneficiaries.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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