CT HB05284

Effective July 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Social Services shall increase the fee schedule for meals on wheels under the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly to reflect reasonable costs of providers and minimize copayments for participants.

Reasonable costs for meals on wheels shall include food, food preparation and packaging, transportation, delivery, and associated labor and administration costs.

Repeals outdated rate-setting provisions from 1991-1993 for home health care agencies and homemaker-home health aide agencies.

Changes the Commissioner's authority from "may annually increase" to "shall annually increase" the fee schedule for homemaker services, chore person services, companion services, respite care, adult day care, case management, transportation, mental health counseling, and elderly foster care based on increased costs of services.

Updates regulatory notice procedures to require publication on the Department of Social Services' Internet website and the eRegulations System instead of the Connecticut Law Journal.