This bill establishes new consumer protections for long-term care insurance policies in Connecticut, affecting insurance companies, policyholders, and state agencies. It requires the Office of Policy and Management to create an outreach program educating consumers about long-term care options, financing, and asset protection rules. The bill mandates that insurance policies must offer home and community-based services, include inflation protection, and cannot tie executive compensation to rate increases. Additionally, insurers must maintain a minimum 60% loss ratio, and any premium increases of 20% or more must be spread over at least three years.
This bill expands transportation options for home care clients by requiring the Department of Social Services to reimburse home care providers who transport Medicaid beneficiaries to or from medical appointments, provided the providers have a state-issued driver's license and adequate liability insurance. Starting July 1, 2026, the commissioner must increase the fee schedule for these transportation services and establish annual maximum allowable rates for home care providers. The legislation applies to home care agencies serving elderly and disabled individuals who receive Medicaid benefits, ensuring they can access medical appointments through their existing home care arrangements without needing separate nonemergency medical transport services.
This bill expands state Medicaid coverage to include room and board costs for patients receiving hospice care at short-term hospice specialty hospitals or licensed hospice facilities. Starting July 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Social Services will use available state funds to reimburse these specific care settings for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. The legislation requires a report by January 15, 2027, to document any cost savings achieved by treating patients in these facilities compared to acute care hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
This bill establishes financial protections for nursing homes owned by private equity firms and bans mandatory arbitration agreements for residents. It requires nursing homes with private equity owners to submit detailed financial and ownership information to state officials annually, including audited financial statements and purchase agreements. The law also mandates that these facilities secure performance bonds equal to 90 days of operating costs and prohibits the sale of nursing home property for five years without state approval to ensure operational stability. Additionally, the bill declares any arbitration agreements required by nursing homes as void and against public policy, preventing facilities from forcing residents to sign them as a condition of care.
This bill requires the Department of Social Services to publish quarterly reports on financial and operational data for the fiscal intermediaries that manage Medicaid-funded personal care attendant programs, including timesheet accuracy, payroll errors, and customer service response times. It also mandates an annual compliance audit of these intermediaries by the Auditors of Public Accounts to ensure contract adherence. Additionally, the bill directs the Office of Policy and Management to conduct a cost-benefit analysis by October 1, 2026, to determine whether the state should take over fiscal intermediary duties from private contractors and whether personal care attendants without medical assistance eligibility should gain access to state-subsidized health insurance. These measures aim to increase transparency, improve program oversight, and evaluate potential administrative changes for self-directed home care services.
This bill establishes new Medicaid payment rates and service limits for adult dental care and cognitive assessments in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, it requires prior authorization for nonemergency dental services while exempting basic preventive care and medically necessary procedures from a $1,000 annual spending cap. The legislation also directs the state to update Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare standards for cognitive assessments and care planning for patients under 65 showing signs of cognitive impairment. Additionally, it creates a structured advisory council with representatives from various healthcare sectors to oversee Medicaid service modifications and ensure balanced oversight of dental benefit limitations.
This bill establishes a Long-Term Care Planning Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for long-term care services in Connecticut, affecting individuals who need care and the agencies that provide it. The committee will create a plan that integrates home and community-based services, supportive housing, and nursing facilities, ensuring people can choose the least restrictive care setting appropriate for their needs. The committee will study financing options, workforce issues, federal funding gaps, and data on Medicaid spending between nursing homes and community-based services. It will also include representatives from various state agencies, employee organizations, and retiree groups, and must submit annual reports with findings and recommendations to the legislature.
This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Social Services to rebalance its long-term care strategy to increase home and community-based care options for Medicaid recipients and low-income individuals who currently do not qualify for Medicaid. The law requires the department to develop a strategic plan that considers regional aging trends, service gaps, and provider quality, with a specific goal of expanding access to home care for people earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the bill establishes a requirement for the Long-Term Care Planning Committee to study methods for expanding these care options and submit a report by December 2026 that includes estimated cost savings from reducing reliance on skilled nursing facilities.
HB 5299 allows trained assisted living aides employed by an assisted living agency to administer medication to residents, directly affecting residents who receive care in these facilities. The bill permits registered nurses (RNs) to delegate medication administration to these trained aides, provided the aides have completed specific training. Agencies must indemnify RNs against liability for non-wanton negligence during this delegated task, and the Public Health Commissioner will create implementing regulations. This changes current practice by expanding aides' responsibilities under RN supervision, without altering prescription authority.
SB 125 requires nursing homes with private equity ownership to disclose detailed ownership and financial information annually to the Commissioner of Social Services, including ownership entity details, financial statements, and mortgage terms. It mandates that these facilities secure a performance bond covering 90 days of operating costs when applying for or renewing licenses. The bill also prohibits selling nursing home properties within five years of acquisition without written approval from the Commissioner of Public Health, which can only be granted if the sale benefits resident care or operational stability. These provisions directly affect nursing homes owned by private equity firms, real estate investment trusts, or other investment entities.
