MA S477

Establishes the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) under MassHealth to provide comprehensive medical and long-term care services for elderly residents who meet skilled-nursing-facility level of care criteria but can safely live in community settings

MassHealth will contract with PACE organizations to deliver integrated health care and social services through interdisciplinary care teams, day-health centers, home visits, and specialty/inpatient settings

Enrollment is voluntary with the right to disenroll any month; disenrollment requests submitted by the 20th of the month take effect the first day of the following month

Benefits must include Medicare Part A and B services, Medicaid-covered services at least as broad as MassHealth standard coverage, and mental health and substance abuse treatment

MassHealth may grant presumptive eligibility for up to 90 days to PACE applicants, and must provide educational outreach to consumers, councils on aging, and Aging Services Access Points about enrollment options