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November 24, 2011
GOOD NEWS FOR SENIORS
Thank goodness the Bed Hold program has passed. When a nursing home resident is hospitalized overnight, or away visiting family for Thanksgiving or other occasion, MassHealth will pay for their bed for up to 10 days, while away.
WHAT IS THE BED HOLD? - When a senior in a nursing home either goes to a hospital for a brief stay or has the opportunity to spend a night with their family, MassHealth would pay the nursing home to hold their bed so that when they return, they could go back to their room. After all, this is their home! This “bed hold” program would safeguard their room for up to 10 days.
This year’s budget did not include the bed hold. On October 27 the governor signed the Supplemental Budget, but vetoed the Bed Hold funding, meaning that as of November 1 the Bed Hold would be eliminated. Then, last week we found out that the Governor has signed the Emergency Supplemental Budget on Veterans Day, restoring the Bed Hold through June 30, 2012, the end of the current fiscal year.
Thanks to our legislators who did not give up and got this important protection passed for our most vulnerable senior population.
This article gives general information and not specific advice on individual matters. Persons wanting individualized advice on matters discussed should contact an advisor experienced in those matters. To the extent this article provides information on legal matters, it is based on law in effect in Massachusetts on the date of posting (laws in effect in other states are often quite different).
Ronald H. Surabian is a CPA and attorney who works at the Elder Law Center in Saugus, Massachusetts. He also holds Masters in accounting and a Masters in tax law. He currently serves as the President of the Friends of the Saugus Senior Center and is an active member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. If you have any questions, please call me at the Elder Law Center, One Essex Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781)233-4444. To view this or any prior article, please visit our web site at www.elderlawcenter.org