Sec. 17b-420. Commission on Aging. Membership. Duties. Authority. Personnel. Agreements with state agencies. (a) There is established a Commission on Aging
composed of twenty-one voting members.
(1) With respect to members appointed prior to October 5, 2009, upon the occurrence of a vacancy or the expiration of the term of a member, whichever occurs first,
such vacancy shall be filled as follows: (A) If the Governor appointed the member, such
vacancy shall be filled by a joint appointment of the president pro tempore of the Senate
and the speaker of the House of Representatives; (B) if the president pro tempore of the
Senate appointed the member, such vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the
president pro tempore of the Senate; (C) if the majority leader of the Senate appointed
the member, such vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the majority leader of
the Senate; (D) if the minority leader of the Senate appointed the member, such vacancy
shall be filled by an appointment of the minority leader of the Senate; (E) if the speaker
of the House of Representatives appointed the member, such vacancy shall be filled by
an appointment of the speaker of the House of Representatives; (F) if the majority leader
of the House of Representatives appointed the member, such vacancy shall be filled by
an appointment of the majority leader of the House of Representatives; and (G) if the
minority leader of the House of Representatives appointed the member, such vacancy
shall be filled by an appointment of the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(2) On or after October 5, 2009, four additional members shall be appointed as
follows: (A) The president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint one member from
the southeastern region of the state; (B) the minority leader of the Senate shall appoint
one member from the southwestern region of the state; (C) the speaker of the House of
Representatives shall appoint one member from the northeastern region of the state; and
(D) the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from
the northwestern region of the state. In the event of a vacancy for any member appointed
pursuant to this subdivision, such vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority
and such appointed member shall be from the respective region of the state.
(3) Any member appointed on or after October 5, 2009, shall have experience in the
field of issues affecting elderly persons by virtue of such person's status as an advocate or
an academic, civic or cultural leader.
(4) Any member appointed pursuant to this subsection shall serve for a term of two
years from August fifteenth in the year of his or her appointment, except that the term
of any member appointed pursuant to this subsection during the period from January 1,
2010, to August 14, 2010, inclusive, shall begin on the date of appointment and shall
expire on August 14, 2012. The commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members who shall each serve in such capacity for a period of two
years. Any person absent from (A) three consecutive meetings of the commission, or
(B) fifty per cent of such meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have
resigned from the commission, effective immediately.
(5) Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall, within the limits of
available funds, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of
their duties. The commission shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the chairperson
or a majority of the commission.
(b) The Commission on Aging shall:
(1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for the elderly
population of the state: (A) That all members of the elderly population of the state are
healthy; (B) that all members of the elderly population are safe; (C) that all members
of the elderly population of the state achieve educational fulfillment; (D) that all members of the elderly population of the state are economically self-sufficient; and (E) that
all members of the elderly population of the state are free from discrimination. The
commission shall meet regularly to review matters pertaining to the achievement of the
desired results described in subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive, of this subdivision and,
not later than January first, annually, shall submit a status report concerning such desired
results to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
appropriations. The commission shall develop (i) appropriate population-level indicators of the state's progress in achieving such desired results and (ii) strategies that are
intended to improve progress on such indicators through a process that is inclusive of
all relevant partners, including, but not limited to, state and local government agencies,
the faith community, the business sector, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and
philanthropic organizations;
(2) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or
enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection;
(3) Review and comment on any proposed state legislation or recommendations that
may affect the elderly population of the state and provide copies of any such comments to
members of the General Assembly;
(4) Advise the General Assembly and Governor concerning the coordination and
administration of state programs that affect the elderly population of the state;
(5) Gather and maintain current information regarding the elderly population of the
state that can be used to better understand the status, condition and contributions of such
elderly population. Such information shall be included in the annual report described
in subsection (c) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other
interested parties upon request;
(6) Maintain a liaison between the elderly population of the state and government
agencies, including the General Assembly; and
(7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of critical issues for the elderly population of the state.
(c) Not later than January first, annually, in accordance with section 11-4a, the
commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly that: (1) Identifies the quality
of life desired results described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, (2)
displays current trend data for the indicators related to each such desired result area, (3)
identifies barriers to progress on such indicators, (4) identifies strategies developed
pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, and (5) describes performance measures for the commission, including measures of research, education and outreach, and partnership development.
(d) In carrying out its responsibility to make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on the need for legislation, policies, programs or services
to improve the quality of life for members of the elderly population of the state, the
commission shall have the assistance of staff, as described in subsection (f) of this
section. Any such recommendations shall be provided solely with the approval of a
majority of the members of the commission. A majority of the members of the commission shall be required to approve any specific advocacy before the General Assembly
or any state agency.
(e) The commission may: (1) Request, and shall receive, from any state agency
such information and assistance as the commission may require; (2) use such funds as
may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to
carry out the purposes of this section; (3) utilize voluntary and uncompensated services
of individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time,
be offered and needed; (4) recommend policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the state relative to the elderly population of the state; (5) accept any gift,
donation or bequest for the purpose of performing the duties described in subsection
(b) of this section; (6) hold public hearings; (7) establish task forces, as necessary, to
perform the duties described in subsection (b) of this section; (8) adopt regulations, in
accordance with chapter 54, as it may deem necessary to carry out the duties described
in subsection (b) of this section; and (9) inform leaders of business, education, state
and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the
problems faced by the elderly population of the state, with a view to enlisting such
persons' support in working toward solving such problems.
(f) There shall be an executive director of the Commission on Aging. There may
be additional staff within available appropriations. The commission shall be within
the Legislative Department. The executive director and any necessary staff shall be
employed by the Joint Standing Committee on Legislative Management. The commission shall have no authority over staffing or personnel matters.
(g) The commission shall be part of the Legislative Department.
(h) The commission may enter into any agreement with a state agency for the purpose of maximizing the receipt of federal funds by such state agency, provided such
state agency shall utilize any federal funds received as a result of such agreement to
perform those statutory duties of such agency that relate to such commission's duties.
The commission may accept that portion of federal funds received by any such state
agency as a result of any such agreement which federal law otherwise permits to be
received by such commission.
(P.A. 93-262, S. 5, 87; 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; 95-257, S. 11, 12, 21, 58; P.A. 05-77, S.
1; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b); Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 146; P.A. 10-1, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 93-262 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-381 and P.A. 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and
department of public health and addiction services for commissioner and department of health services and executive
director of Connecticut alcohol and drug abuse commission, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-250 replaced Commissioner
and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department
of Public Health and replaced Commissioner and Department of Mental Health with Commissioner and Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a), references to "Commissioner
of Insurance" and "Commissioner of Labor" were replaced editorially by the Revisors with "Insurance Commissioner"
and "Labor Commissioner" for consistency with customary statutory usage and minor changes in wording were made to
accommodate the changes); P.A. 05-77 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing composition of commission from 11 to 17
voting members and increasing total number of appointments to the commission by legislative leaders from 6 to 12, by
specifying that chairpersons and ranking members of aging committee and human services committee are ex-officio voting
members of commission, by specifying that commission chairperson shall be elected from among commission members,
by removing provision re Governor's selection of chairperson and by removing obsolete language re initial organizational
meeting, amended Subsec. (b)(3) by requiring that commission meet regularly with representatives of state agencies and
eliminating requirement re meeting with commissioner and head of Division of Elderly Services of Department of Social
Services, amended Subsec. (b)(4) by replacing "Division of Elderly Services of" with "State Unit on Aging within",
amended Subsec. (b) by authorizing commission to enter into contracts for purposes of section, and amended Subsec. (c)
by substituting "Legislative Department" for "Department of Social Services", effective July 1, 2005; pursuant to P.A.
07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental
Services", effective October 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions re purpose and
initial appointees of commission, to increase number of members from 17 to 21, and to add Subdiv. (1) re filling of vacancies
after expiration of terms of members appointed prior to October 5, 2009, Subdiv. (2) re appointment of 4 additional members
after October 5, 2009, Subdiv. (3) re requisite experience for members appointed on or after October 5, 2009, Subdiv. (4)
re term for members, selection of chairperson and vice-chairperson, and absence of members, and Subdiv. (5) re vacancies
on commission, compensation and frequency of meetings, amended Subsec. (b) to replace former provisions with Subdiv.
(1) re duties focusing on quality of life results, meeting regularly concerning achievement of desired results, submitting
annual status report concerning desired results, developing appropriate population-level indicators of state's progress in
achieving desired results and strategies to improve progress on such indicators, Subdiv. (2) re making recommendations
for new programs to achieve desired results, Subdiv. (3) re reviewing and commenting on proposed legislation, Subdiv.
(4) re advising General Assembly and Governor concerning administration of certain programs, Subdiv. (5) re gathering
and maintaining certain population specific information, Subdiv. (6) re maintaining a liaison between population served
and government agencies, and Subdiv. (7) re conducting educational and outreach activities, added new Subsec. (c) re
annual report, added new Subsec. (d) re assistance of staff, making of recommendations to and advocacy before General
Assembly, added new Subsec. (e) re commission authority, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (f) and amended
same to delete provision re authority of commission to appoint executive director, delete "for administrative purposes
only" and add provisions re staff, added Subsec. (g) re commission to be part of Legislative Department and added Subsec.
(h) re authority to enter agreements with state agencies for purpose of maximizing receipt of federal funds by such agency,
effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change in Subdiv. (2) and add exception to
standard 2-year term of members for appointments made January 1, 2010, to August 14, 2010, in Subdiv.(4), effective
February 4, 2010.
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Sec. 17b-421. (Formerly Sec. 17a-304). Area agencies on aging. The state shall
be divided into five elderly planning and service areas, in accordance with federal law
and regulations, each having an area agency on aging to carry out the mandates of the
federal Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The area agencies shall (1) represent
elderly persons within their geographic areas, (2) develop an area plan for approval by
the Department of Social Services and upon such approval administer the plan, (3)
coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit, private agencies in the development
of programs, (4) receive and distribute federal and state funds for such purposes, in
accordance with applicable law, (5) carry out any additional duties and functions required by federal law and regulations.
(P.A. 83-89, S. 2; P.A. 86-368, S. 1, 5; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 86-368 specified the number of planning and service areas for the elderly to be five; Sec. 17-136g
transferred to Sec. 17a-304 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services
for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17a-304 transferred to Sec. 17b-421 in 1995.
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Sec. 17b-422. (Formerly Sec. 17a-305). Allocation of funds. Review. Voluntary
fee for meals. (a) The Department of Social Services shall equitably allocate, in accordance with federal law, federal funds received under Title IIIB and IIIC of the Older
Americans Act to the five area agencies on aging established pursuant to section 17b-421. The department, before seeking federal approval to spend any amount above that
allotted for administrative expenses under said act, shall inform the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services
that it is seeking such approval.
(b) Sixty per cent of the state funds appropriated to the five area agencies on aging
for elderly nutrition and social services shall be allocated in the same proportion as
allocations made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Forty per cent of all state
funds appropriated to the five area agencies on aging for elderly nutrition and social
services used for purposes other than the required nonfederal matching funds shall be
allocated at the discretion of the Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with
the five area agencies on aging, based on their need for such funds. Any state funds
appropriated to the five area agencies on aging for administrative expenses shall be
allocated equally.
(c) The Department of Social Services, in consultation with the five area agencies
on aging, shall review the method of allocation set forth in subsection (a) of this section
and shall report any findings or recommendations to the joint standing committees of
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the
budgets of state agencies and human services.
(d) An area agency may request a person participating in the elderly nutrition program to pay a voluntary fee for meals furnished, except that no eligible person shall be
denied a meal due to an inability to pay such fee.
(P.A. 86-368, S. 2, 3, 5; P.A. 88-301, S. 1, 2; P.A. 92-230, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 03-278, S. 66.)
History: P.A. 88-301 changed the formula for the allocation of state funds in Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (d) allowing
an area agency to request a voluntary fee for meals furnished; Sec. 17-136h transferred to Sec. 17a-305 in 1991; P.A. 92-230 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting formula for allocation of federal funds and substituting requirement that funds be
allocated equitably between the five area agencies on aging and amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) for consistency; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department on aging,
effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17a-305 transferred to Sec. 17b-422 in 1995; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsecs.
(a) to (d), effective July 9, 2003.
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Sec. 17b-423. (Formerly Sec. 17a-306). Community services policy manual.
Regulations. (a) The Department of Social Services shall prepare and routinely update
a community services policy manual. The pages of such manual shall be consecutively
numbered and indexed, containing all departmental policy regulations and substantive
procedure. Such manual shall be published by the department and distributed so that it
is available to all district, subdistrict and field offices of the Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services shall adopt such policy manual in regulation
form in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The department may operate under
any new policy necessary to conform to a requirement of a federal or joint state and
federal program. The department may operate under any new policy while it is in the
process of adopting the policy in regulation form, provided the Department of Social
Services prints notice of intent to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal
within twenty days after adopting the policy. Such policy shall be valid until the time
final regulations are effective.
(b) The Department of Social Services shall write the community services policy
manual using plain language as described in section 42-152. The manual shall include
an index for frequent referencing and a separate section or manual which specifies procedures to follow to clarify policy.
(P.A. 86-368, S. 4, 5; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 03-278, S. 67.)
History: Sec. 17-136i transferred to Sec. 17a-306 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and
department of social services for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17a-306 transferred
to Sec. 17b-423 in 1995; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 9, 2003.
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Sec. 17b-424. Adult foster care program. The Commissioner of Social Services
shall establish an adult foster care program which shall provide room, board and personal
care services in a home or substantially equivalent environment to elderly persons who
volunteer and may otherwise be placed in a nursing home or who are inappropriately
institutionalized. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to administer this program.
(P.A. 93-212, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-435, S. 59, 95.)
History: P.A. 93-212 effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and
department of social services for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993.
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Sec. 17b-425. (Formerly Sec. 17a-310). State grants for community services
and programs for the elderly. The Department of Social Services may make a grant
to any city, town or borough or public or private agency, organization or institution
for the following purposes: (a) For community planning and coordination of programs
carrying out the purposes of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended; (b) for
demonstration programs or activities particularly valuable in carrying out such purposes;
(c) for training of special personnel needed to carry out such programs and activities; (d)
for establishment of new or expansion of existing programs to carry out such purposes,
including establishment of new or expansion of existing centers of service for elderly
persons, providing recreational, cultural and other leisure time activities, and informational, transportation, referral and preretirement and postretirement counseling services
for elderly persons and assisting such persons in providing volunteer community or
civic services, except that no costs of construction, other than for minor alterations and
repairs, shall be included in such establishment or expansion; (e) for programs to develop
or demonstrate approaches, methods and techniques for achieving or improving coordination of community services for elderly or aging persons and such other programs and
services as may be allowed under Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as
amended, or to evaluate these approaches, techniques and methods, as well as others
which may assist elderly or aging persons to enjoy wholesome and meaningful living
and to continue to contribute to the strength and welfare of the state and nation.
(1967, P.A. 883, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 814, S. 13; P.A. 75-474, S. 7, 10; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: 1969 act replaced commission on services for elderly persons with department on aging; P.A. 75-474 allowed
grants to private agencies; Sec. 17-137c transferred to Sec. 17a-310 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17a-310
transferred to Sec. 17b-425 in 1995.
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Sec. 17b-426. (Formerly Sec. 17a-313). Payment of administrative expenses.
The Department of Social Services may use moneys appropriated for the purposes of
section 17b-425 for the expenses of administering the grant program under said section,
provided the total of such moneys so used shall not exceed five per cent of the moneys
so appropriated.
(1967, P.A. 883, S. 5; 1969, P.A. 814, S. 16; P.A. 92-230, S. 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: 1969 act replaced commission on services for elderly persons with department on aging; Sec. 17-137f transferred to Sec. 17a-313 in 1991; P.A. 92-230 deleted references to repealed sections; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution
of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; Sec.
17a-313 transferred to Sec. 17b-426 in 1995.
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Sec. 17b-427. (Formerly Sec. 17a-314). CHOICES health insurance assistance
program. Definitions. Requirements. Reports. Responsibilities of hospitals re
Medicare patients. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "CHOICES" means Connecticut's programs for health insurance assistance,
outreach, information and referral, counseling and eligibility screening;
(2) "CHOICES health insurance assistance program" means the federally recognized state health insurance assistance program funded pursuant to P.L. 101-508 and
administered by the Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the area agencies
on aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, that provides free information and
assistance related to health insurance issues and concerns of older persons and other
Medicare beneficiaries in Connecticut; and
(3) "Medicare organization" means any corporate entity or other organization or
group that contracts with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to
provide health care services to Medicare beneficiaries in this state as an alternative to
the traditional Medicare fee-for-service plan.
(b) The Department of Social Services shall administer the CHOICES health insurance assistance program, which shall be a comprehensive Medicare advocacy program
that provides assistance to Connecticut residents who are Medicare beneficiaries. The
program shall: (1) Maintain a toll-free telephone number to provide advice and information on Medicare benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through the
Medicare Part D program, the Medicare appeals process, health insurance matters applicable to Medicare beneficiaries and long-term care options available in the state at least
five days per week during normal business hours; (2) provide information, advice and
representation, where appropriate, concerning the Medicare appeals process, by a qualified attorney or paralegal at least five days per week during normal business hours; (3)
prepare and distribute written materials to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, senior
citizens and organizations regarding Medicare benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through the Medicare Part D program and long-term care options available
in the state; (4) develop and distribute a Connecticut Medicare consumers guide, after
consultation with the Insurance Commissioner and other organizations involved in servicing, representing or advocating for Medicare beneficiaries, which shall be available
to any individual, upon request, and shall include: (A) Information permitting beneficiaries to compare their options for delivery of Medicare services; (B) information concerning the Medicare plans available to beneficiaries, including the traditional Medicare
fee-for-service plan, Medicare Part D plans and the benefits and services available
through each plan; (C) information concerning the procedure to appeal a denial of care
and the procedure to request an expedited appeal of a denial of care; (D) information
concerning private insurance policies and federal and state-funded programs that are
available to supplement Medicare coverage for beneficiaries; (E) a worksheet for beneficiaries to use to evaluate the various plans, including Medicare Part D programs; and
(F) any other information the program deems relevant to beneficiaries; (5) collaborate
with other state agencies and entities in the development of consumer-oriented web sites
that provide information on Medicare plans, including Medicare Part D plans, and long-term care options that are available in the state; and (6) include any functions the department deems necessary to conform to federal grant requirements.
(c) The Insurance Commissioner, in cooperation with, or on behalf of, the Commissioner of Social Services, may require each Medicare organization to: (1) Annually
submit to the commissioner any data, reports or information relevant to plan beneficiaries; and (2) at any other times at which changes occur, submit information to the commissioner concerning current benefits, services or costs to beneficiaries. Such information
may include information required under section 38a-478c.
(d) Each Medicare organization that fails to file the annual data, reports or information requested pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall pay a late fee of one hundred
dollars per day for each day from the due date of such data, reports or information to
the date of filing. Each Medicare organization that files incomplete annual data, reports
or information shall be so informed by the Insurance Commissioner, shall be given a
date by which to remedy such incomplete filing and shall pay said late fee commencing
from the new due date.
(e) Not later than June 1, 2001, and annually thereafter, the Insurance Commissioner, in conjunction with the Healthcare Advocate, shall submit to the Governor and
to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to human services and insurance and to the select committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, a list of those Medicare organizations that have failed to file any data, reports or information requested pursuant to
subsection (c) of this section.
(f) All hospitals, as defined in section 19a-490, which treat persons covered by
Medicare Part A shall: (1) Notify incoming patients covered by Medicare of the availability of the services established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, (2) post or
cause to be posted in a conspicuous place therein the toll-free number established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and (3) provide each Medicare patient with the toll-free number and information on how to access the CHOICES program.
(P.A. 89-135, S. 1, 6; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 01-39, S. 1, 3; P.A. 03-19, S. 46; P.A. 05-102, S. 2; P.A. 07-155, S.
1; P.A. 10-32, S. 69.)
History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and
department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17a-314 transferred to Sec. 17b-427 in 1995; P.A. 01-39 added new Subsec.
(a) defining "CHOICES", "CHOICES health insurance assistance program" and "Medicare organization", redesignated
existing Subsec. (a) as Subsec. (b) and amended by adding requirements that department administer the CHOICES health
insurance assistance program, that program maintain a toll-free telephone number to provide advice and information on
other health insurance matters applicable to Medicare beneficiaries at least five days per week during normal business
hours, that program provide information, advice and representation concerning Medicare appeals process by a qualified
attorney or paralegal, that program develop and distribute a Connecticut Medicare consumers guide, and that program
include any functions department deems necessary to conform to federal grant requirements, added Subsec. (c) allowing
Insurance Commissioner to require each Medicare organization to submit information, added Subsec. (d) re payment of
late fees, added Subsec. (e) requiring Insurance Commissioner to submit an annual list of Medicare organizations that fail
to file information and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (f) and amended by changing internal references for
consistency with section and making technical changes, effective May 31, 2001; P.A. 03-19 replaced "Health Care Financing Administration" with "Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services" in Subsec. (a)(3), effective May 12, 2003; P.A.
05-102 amended Subsec. (e) by renaming the Managed Care Ombudsman the Healthcare Advocate; P.A. 07-155 amended
Subsec. (b) to require CHOICES program to provide information and advice on prescription drug benefits available through
Medicare Part D program and long-term care options available in the state, to prepare and distribute written material, and
to collaborate with other state agencies and entities in the development of a consumer-oriented website, effective July 1,
2007; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(5), effective May 10, 2010.
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Sec. 17b-427a. Medicare consumers guide. Section 17b-427a is repealed, effective May 31, 2001.
(P.A. 99-177, S. 1, 2; P.A. 01-39, S. 2, 3.)
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Sec. 17b-428. Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). (a) As
used in this section:
(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Social Services;
(2) "Eligible individual" means "PACE program eligible individual", as defined in
Subtitle I of Public Law 105-33, as amended from time to time, or in a waiver application
approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;
(3) "PACE program" means "PACE program", as defined in Subtitle I of Public
Law 105-33, as amended from time to time, and includes a program of all-inclusive
care for the elderly;
(4) "PACE program agreement" means "PACE program agreement", as defined in
Subtitle I of Public Law 105-33, as amended from time to time;
(5) "PACE provider" means "PACE provider", as defined in Subtitle I of Public
Law 105-33, as amended from time to time;
(6) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services;
(7) "State administering agency" means "state administering agency", as defined
in Subtitle I of Public Law 105-33, as amended from time to time.
(b) Not later than July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall establish a pilot program in
which PACE providers deliver PACE program services to eligible individuals in this
state pursuant to a PACE program agreement. Under said program, the commissioner,
in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, may initially enter into contracts with
integrated service networks which have successfully completed a feasibility study, in
conjunction with a PACE technical assistance center, for the provision of PACE program
services.
(c) The Department of Social Services shall be the state administering agency for
the state of Connecticut responsible for administering PACE program agreements in
this state. The department, upon request, shall assist the secretary in establishing procedures for entering into, extending and terminating PACE program agreements for the
operation of PACE programs by PACE providers in this state.
(d) The commissioner shall provide medical assistance under this section for PACE
program services to eligible individuals who are eligible for medical assistance in this
state and enrolled in a PACE program under a PACE program agreement. The commissioner shall seek any waiver from federal law necessary to permit federal participation
for Medicaid expenditures for PACE programs in this state.
(e) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.
(P.A. 98-198, S. 1, 4.)
History: P.A. 98-198 effective June 8, 1998.
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Sec. 17b-429. Information on pharmaceutical drug programs for indigent
persons. The Commissioner of Social Services shall, within available appropriations,
make information available to senior citizens and disabled persons concerning any pharmaceutical company's drug program for indigent persons by utilizing the ConnPACE
program, the CHOICES health insurance assistance program, as defined in section 17b-427, and Infoline of Connecticut to deliver such information.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 104, 131; P.A. 04-257, S. 34.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes, effective June 14, 2004.
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Secs. 17b-430 to 17b-449. Reserved for future use.
Note: Chapter 319cc is also reserved for future use.
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