This bill allows people who are currently receiving hospice care to enroll in managed long-term care plans without losing their existing benefits. It ensures that individuals can choose hospice services under Medicare or Medicaid while remaining in a managed long-term care program, rather than being forced to leave that program. To support this change, the bill requires state agencies to create rules for better communication and shared care planning between hospice providers and long-term care administrators. Additionally, these programs must exchange necessary information to ensure that patients receive continuous care without unnecessary delays or disruptions.
This bill requires state agencies to automatically check if people receiving food assistance are also eligible for a Medicare savings program. It updates the food assistance application to let individuals separately agree to share their data for this purpose. Once a match is found, the health department must enroll the person in the savings program within 45 days. The law also sets up a process to report to state leaders if federal permission is needed before the agencies can share information.
Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.
Establishes a family caregiver program which shall receive reimbursement from Medicaid and directs the commissioner of health to secure approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for family caregivers.
This bill permits individuals receiving hospice services to enroll in managed long-term care plans without being forced to disenroll. It specifically prevents Medicare or Medicaid hospice enrollment from making someone ineligible for these plans, ensuring continued access to coordinated care. The bill requires managed care plans and hospice programs to coordinate services through shared care planning, clear communication protocols, and information sharing (while respecting privacy laws). New standards for care coordination must be established by the health department, with guidance issued to providers. This directly affects hospice patients, managed care plans, and local social services districts in New York.
This bill requires nursing homes to inform residents about their right to seek legal help when applying for Medicaid or Medicare benefits. It mandates that nursing homes include a specific statement in their communications regarding access to legal counsel for these applications. The provision would be added to public health law, requiring facilities to provide this information directly to residents. The bill focuses on increasing awareness of legal assistance options, not changing Medicaid or Medicare eligibility rules.
This bill extends the effective date for certain application provisions related to New York's Medicare Savings Program to April 1, 2026. It directly affects low-income seniors and individuals applying for Medicare Savings benefits, which help cover Medicare costs like premiums and deductibles. The key mechanism is amending the effective date in the law to delay implementation until April 2026, while other immediate provisions take effect right away. The bill was signed into law on February 14, 2025, as Chapter 32.
Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.
Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.
This bill simplifies Medicaid enrollment and recertification for eligible New Yorkers. It automatically enrolls people needing long-term community care for over 120 days into a managed care plan (without requiring them to choose one), and automatically renews coverage for four specific groups: those in managed long-term care plans, recipients of personal care services, seniors with Social Security income in the Aged, Blind and Disabled category, and Medicare Savings Program participants. This eliminates the need for these groups to submit new applications or documentation for renewal. The changes aim to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining eligibility checks for other Medicaid recipients.
