H.1195 - An Act clarifying rate setting processes for home health and home care services

Current Status: Read more.

Senate Bill: S.755 - Senator Patricia Jehlen. Read more.

Background: The single largest cost factor impacted by the rate-setting process for home health and home care services in Massachusetts is staffing - the ability of providers to ensure fair and adequate wages and benefits for their dedicated home-based workforce. The rate-setting process directly impacts and determines the ability of providers to retain and recruit sufficient staff to meet the Commonwealth's need to ensure the provision of home health and home care services to vulnerable elders, persons with disabilities and children, and individuals with medically complex needs. 

What this bill would do: This legislation clarifies the rate-setting processes that are already in place for both home health and home care services. This legislation does not set the rates or dictate the amount for future rates set by Mass Health and EOHHS. It does make the rate-setting process more transparent and ensures rates set by the state follow the rate-setting laws and reflect the actual operating costs incurred by home health and home care providers.