Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Office of Medicaid
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA  02111
www.mass.gov/masshealth

	Eligibility Operations Memo 08-09
	May 15, 2008


TO:	MassHealth Eligibility Operations Staff

FROM:	Russ Kulp, Director, MassHealth Operations

RE:	Average Cost for Nursing Facility Services
		

Introduction
In accordance with 130 CMR 520.019(G)(1), MassHealth must impose a period of 
ineligibility for payment of nursing facility services when it has determined 
that a MassHealth applicant or member has made a disqualifying transfer of 
resources.

When calculating the period of ineligibility, MassHealth uses the average cost 
to a patient paying privately for nursing facility services in the Commonwealth. 
Periodically, this figure is revised to reflect increased costs.

Revised Average Cost of Nursing Home Services
Effective May 1, 2008, the average cost to a patient paying privately for 
nursing facility services in the Commonwealth increased from $256 a day to $267 
a day.

The date MassHealth receives the application or eligibility review form 
determines which of the following amounts to use when calculating the period of 
ineligibility for a disqualifying transfer of resources.
*	If received before May 1, 2008: use $256.
*	If received on or after May 1, 2008: use $267.

Questions
If you have any questions about this memo, please have your MEC designee contact 
the Policy Hotline.