The Administration has agreed to delay implementation of the recently proposed Free Care regulation until January 1st, 2006, three months later than planned. Some of the proposed changes included new co-pays, a change in the retroactive eligibility period, a new time limitation on submission of claims, and a new limitation on payments for ER Bad Debt to services provided in the first 24 hours. The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy has indicated that they will definitely be making at least minor changes to the proposed Free Care regulation. The Division anticipates releasing a new regulation in November, with an effective date of January 1st. If they do end up making big changes, another public hearing will be required and will happen before the changes go into effect. There are also other efforts through the legislature to delay it further.
-Adapted from: Kim Simonian’s Notes on Health Care for All - MassHealth Defense Group Meeting of September 20, 2005
09/05