Chief Patron: Brink
JCHC-Medicare Managed Care Ombudsman Programs

Item 295 #8h

Language
Page 229, line 25, strike "$18,551,442" and insert "$18,751,442".
Page 229, line 25, strike "$18,551,442" and insert "$18,751,442".
Page 230, after line 14, insert:
"H. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the establishment of three regional Medicare Managed Care Ombudsmen programs and to provide funds to one existing program, in collaboration with local area agencies on aging.  Out of the amounts for this program, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year is provided to each of three new ombudsmen programs serving Planning Districts 1 and 2, Planning Districts 15 and 19, and Planning Districts 20 and 21; and to the existing program currently serving Planning District 8.  The three new programs shall be based on the program model currently used by the Arlington Area Agency on Aging.  The Department for the Aging shall evaluate the program’s impact and report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and the Chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care prior to December 1, 2001.”
Companion Budget Amendment “Out of this appropriation, $200,000 in each year of the biennium shall be provided from the general fund for the establishment, in collaboration with local area agencies on aging, of three regional Medicare Managed Care Ombudsmen programs.  One of the ombudsmen programs shall serve Planning Districts 1 and 2; another shall serve Planning Districts 15 and 19; and the third program shall serve Planning Districts 20 and 21.  The Medicare Managed Care Ombudsmen program currently administered by the Arlington Area Agency on Aging for planning district 8 shall also be funded by this appropriation.  The three new programs shall be based on the program model currently used by the Arlington Area Agency on Aging.  Each program shall receive $50,000 from this appropriation.  The Department for the Aging shall evaluate the program’s impact and report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and the Chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care prior to December 1, 2001.”

Explanation
This amendment provides funds for the establishment of three regional Medicare Managed Care Ombudsmen programs and one existing program to serve those areas of the state with the highest percentage of Medicare managed care enrollees. This is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.)