Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Division of Medical Assistance
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA  02111
www.mass.gov/dma	
	MassHealth
	Long Term Care Facility Bulletin 77
	January 2002

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

	FROM:	Wendy E. Warring, Commissioner

	RE:	2002 Social Security Benefit Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Residents of Skilled-Care Facilities

Background	Effective January 1, 2002, a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increased monthly benefits for recipients of Retirement/Survivors/Disability Insurance (RSDI) by 2.6%.

Patient-Paid Amount	An increase in monthly income will, in most instances, result in an 
Increase for Residents	increase to the monthly patient-paid amount (PPA) for skilled-care facility 
of Skilled-Care Facilities	residents.  COLA increases must be applied toward claims submitted to the Division of Medical Assistance for January 2002, and for each month thereafter.

	Recently, system-generated notices about the 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	Effective January 1, 2002, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
Increase for Residents	payment amount for residents of rest homes increased by $14 per month, 
of Rest Homes	resulting in a $14 per month increase in the PPA.  This increase must be applied to claims submitted to the Division of Medical Assistance for January 2002, and for each month thereafter.  The minimum PPA will be $778.

Personal Needs 	The personal needs allowance (PNA) for MassHealth members in nursing 
Allowances	facilities and chronic disease hospitals remains $60 per month.

	The PNA for SSI recipients in rest homes remains $60 per month.

	The PNA for SSI recipients in nursing facilities and chronic disease hospitals remains $65 per month.

	

Questions	Questions about the information in this bulletin should be directed to the MassHealth Policy Hotline at 617-210-5331.