Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Executive Office of Health and Human Services 
Division of Medical Assistance 
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111


MassHealth 
Long Term Care Facility Bulletin 70 
January 2000 

TO: Nursing Facilities, Chronic Disease and Rehabilitation Inpatient Hospitals, 
and Rest Homes Participating in MassHealth 

FROM: Mark E. Reynolds, Acting Commissioner 

RE: 2000 Social Security Benefit Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for Residents 
of Skilled-Care Facilities 

Background

A Social Security cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increased the monthly 
benefits for recipients of Retirement/Survivors/Disability Insurance (RSDI) 
by 2.4%, effective January 1, 2000. 

Patient Paid Amount Increase for Residents of Skilled-Care Facilities

An increase in monthly income will, in most instances, result in an increase 
to the monthly patient-paid-amount (PPA) for skilled-care facility residents. 
COLA increases must be applied toward claims submitted to the Division of 
Medical Assistance for January 2000 and each month thereafter. 

Recently, system-generated notices of new PPAs were mailed to 
members, spouses, and responsible parties. Card notices indicating old 
and new PPAs for each member were mailed to affected providers. 

Patient Paid Amount Increase for Residents of Rest Homes

Effective January 1, 2000, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
payment amount for residents of rest homes increased by $12 per month, 
resulting in a $12 per month increase in the PPA. This increase must be 
applied to claims submitted to the Division of Medical Assistance for 
January 2000 and each month thereafter. The minimum PPA will be $745. 




MassHealth 
Long Term Care Facility 
Bulletin 70 
January 2000 
Page 2 

Personal Needs Allowance

• The personal needs allowance (PNA) for MassHealth members in 
nursing facilities and chronic disease hospitals is $60 per month. 
• The PNA for SSI recipients in rest homes is $60 per month. 
• The PNA for SSI recipients in nursing facilities and chronic disease 
hospitals is $65 per month. 

Questions

If you have questions about the information in this bulletin, please call the 
MassHealth Policy Hotline at (617) 210-5331.