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Elder Resources

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Information and Referral

For Massachusetts senior services see:

Also see our Information and Referral page.

Decision Making/SNF Diversion

 

Elder Home Care


  Patient Handouts from the CRC

 

  • Home Care Covered by Insurance and Other Sources

  • Community Care Ombudsman Assures Quality Care for Elders- MGH Community News, July 2001

  • "Lifeline" & Other Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
    • Personal Emergency Response Systems - from the Federal Trade Commission website
    • How to choose a Personal Emergency Response Systems -MGH PCOI patient handout.
      • Find It: Select Patient Education > Senior Health > Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) (Free registration required.)
    • Paying for Personal Emergency Response Systems - MGH Patient Handout (rev July 2023 )
      • MassHealth requires prior approval for PERS. Providers are encouraged to submit via the MassHealth Provider Online Service Center (POSC). Providers should be familiar, but here are POSC FAQs and POSC "Job Aids" - scroll down to Prior Authorization. PERS companies may also be a source of assistance to providers to ensure proper billing.
        • As of July 1, 2024 MassHealth covers PERS either through a landline or a cellular network. Members are not required to obtain an individual cellular plan when using a cellular PERS. See DME Equipment Bulletin 37
          • Prior to this change, MassHealth regulations required that the patient have a landline to qualify for MassHealth PERS coverage; the only way around this was via a waiver requested by the patient's local Aging Services Access Point/Elder Service agency. We'd been advised that this was often a lengthy process.
        • MassHealth Hospice members- PERS providers who provide lifeline devices to MassHealth members who are in the MassHealth Hospice Benefit must coordinate with the hospice to determine if the device is related to the palliation and management of the member’s terminal illness.
          • If the device is not related to the palliation and management of the member’s terminal illness the PERS provider is able to directly bill MassHealth. The PERS provider does not need a letter from the hospice indicating the PERS device is not related to the palliation and management of the member’s terminal illness.
          • If a hospice provider determines that the lifeline is related to the member’s terminal illness the hospice provider should document this in the member’s plan of care and the hospice provider is responsible for payment to the PERS provider.
          • At no time should the MassHealth hospice benefit member be billed for the lifeline per 130 CMR 450.403(A) and 130 CMR 450.403(B).
          • If you or your agency has questions regarding this communication, please contact the LTSS Service Center at (844) 368-5184 or  support@masshealthltss.com.
    • New Related Technology

  • Medication reminder technology

Adult Day Care