You asked about the two new private assisted living pilot programs the legislature recently authorized in the special session, what steps have been taken so far to implement the pilot, and what funding has been appropriated for them.

PRIVATE ASSISTED LIVING PILOT LEGISLATION

Under PA 02-7, May 9 Special Session, some seniors living in private assisted living facilities who are in danger of running out of money may not have to move. The legislature authorized the Department of Social Services (DSS), on or after January 1, 2003 and within available appropriations, to start two new pilot programs: a Medicaid waiver pilot for up to 50 people and a purely state-funded pilot for another 25 people.

The pilot programs will pay for assisted living services for seniors whose their assets and income otherwise qualify them for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). DSS will use existing Medicaid asset transfer rules in determining eligibility for both pilots. Applicants for either program must live in a managed residential community (MRC) where assisted living services are provided by a licensed assisted living services agency (ALSA). They must also be ineligible to receive these services under any other assisted living services pilot program established by the General Assembly.

Assisted living is an emerging long-term care model that provides health care and other assistance to elderly people who may not need or want nursing home care, yet need some help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, walking, eating, bathing, errands, and chores. Typically, privately-funded assisted living services are provided in MRCs where the resident has his own apartment, receives three meals a day in a common dining room, and other services.

IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS

DSS and the Office of Policy and Management are currently in the process of planning to implement the programs. They plan to start them on January 1, 2003. So far, DSS representatives have met with the Connecticut Assisted Living Association and are planning to hold forums about the pilots at each of the 80 private MRCs in the state before the programs start.

These pilots will pay only for assisted living services, not for room and board at the MRC. If an individual's income and assets cannot cover room and board, he may need to obtain family support or negotiate a reduction in the room and board charge from the MRC in order to remain in the facility.

In order for a qualified individual to participate in the program, the ALSA that provides services must also decide to enroll in the pilots as a CHCPE provider and agree to receive the assisted living service rates that DSS sets. Some ALSAs and MRCs may choose not to participate in the pilots, even if they have residents who could be eligible. Because of this factor, the pilots may be available in some facilities right away and only later in others, as ALSAs decide to join the pilots.

APPROPRIATIONS

The legislature made no specific appropriation for these two new assisted living pilots because DSS expects them to save money overall by delaying people's entry into more expensive nursing homes. The budget reflects savings of $ 249,000 from the two pilots, according to the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

HN: ts