Bill Text: NY A05418 | 2009-2010 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Establishes the New York state compact for long term care; provides certain tax credits; requires federal financial participation; requires that the state provide assurance of quality of services in designing the waiver; outlines participation in such compact and pledge amounts; authorizes the waiver of all or part of the participation fee and the requirement that a beneficiary pay the difference between the compact rate and the compact subsidy if the beneficiary's countable income, after deductions of these items is less than certain protected income amounts; describes fraudulent practices.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 52-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-06 - referred to aging [A05418 Detail]

Download: New_York-2009-A05418-Amended.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                        5418--A
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   February 13, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M.  of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, CAHILL, DESTITO, PHEFFER, JACOBS,
         MILLMAN, KOON, DelMONTE, PEOPLES, PERRY, ARROYO, P. RIVERA, J. RIVERA,
         GALEF, SCHROEDER, MARKEY, COLTON, BOYLAND,  COOK,  BENEDETTO,  JAFFEE,
         MAISEL,  ROBINSON, GABRYSZAK, CARROZZA, MAYERSOHN, ESPAILLAT, SPANO --
         Multi-Sponsored by -- M.  of  A.  ABBATE,  ALFANO,  BRADLEY,  BRENNAN,
         BROOK-KRASNY,  EDDINGTON,  GORDON,  GUNTHER,  HEASTIE, HIKIND, HOOPER,
         HYER-SPENCER, JEFFRIES, JOHN, LANCMAN, V. LOPEZ, LUPARDO, MAGEE, McEN-
         ENY, ORTIZ, PRETLOW, ROSENTHAL, SCARBOROUGH, SCHIMEL, SWEENEY,  TOWNS,
         WEISENBERG, WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
         --  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
         and recommitted to said committee
       AN ACT to amend the elder law and the  insurance  law,  in  relation  to
         establishing the New York state compact for long term care
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Article 2 of the elder law is amended by adding a new title
    2  4 to read as follows:
    3                                   TITLE 4
    4                         COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE
    5  SECTION 260.   SHORT TITLE.
    6          261.   DEFINITIONS.
    7          262.   COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE CREATED; PURPOSES.
    8          263.   REQUIREMENT FOR CONSULTATION.
    9          264.   IMPLEMENTATION.
   10          265.   SELECTION OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY.
   11          266.   PARTICIPATION AND PLEDGE.
   12          267.   BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION.
   13          268.   PROTECTED INCOME.
   14          269.   IMPOSITION OF LIEN IN CERTAIN CASES.
   15          270.   PROHIBITED ACTS.
   16          271.   FRAUDULENT PRACTICES.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD08724-07-9
       A. 5418--A                          2
    1          271-A. PAYMENTS AND DEFAULTS.
    2          272.   APPEALS.
    3          273.   TREATMENT OF ASSETS.
    4          274.   SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING COUPLES.
    5          275.   ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
    6          276.   REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY.
    7          277.   EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.
    8    S  260. SHORT TITLE. THIS TITLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE
    9  "NEW YORK STATE COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE".
   10    S 261. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS TITLE:
   11    1. "ASSESSMENT" MEANS AN ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL
   12  IS A CHRONICALLY ILL INDIVIDUAL WHO QUALIFIES AS A PARTICIPANT OR  AS  A
   13  BENEFICIARY  IN  THE COMPACT, AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PLAN OF
   14  CARE REQUIRED  HEREUNDER  FOR  SUCH  ENROLLEES.  AN  ASSESSMENT  MAY  BE
   15  PERFORMED  ONLY  BY  A  LICENSED  HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER CONTRACTED TO
   16  PERFORM SUCH ASSESSMENTS WITH  AN  INSURER,  THE  COMMISSIONER,  OR  THE
   17  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT ENTITY.   THE ASSESSMENT SHALL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY
   18  OR WHENEVER A CHANGE IN THE CONDITION OF THE BENEFICIARY OR  PARTICIPANT
   19  WARRANTS  AN UPDATE TO THE PLAN OF CARE. THE COST OF AN ASSESSMENT SHALL
   20  BE PAID BY AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO ENROLL IN THE COMPACT.
   21    2. "ADVISORY  COMMITTEE"  MEANS  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  ESTABLISHED
   22  PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.
   23    3. "COMMISSIONER" MEANS THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.
   24    4.  "COMPACT"  MEANS THE COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED
   25  BY THIS TITLE.
   26    5. "COMPACT BENEFICIARY" OR "BENEFICIARY" MEANS A PARTICIPANT  WHO  BY
   27  PAYING  HIS  OR  HER PLEDGE AMOUNT AND MEETING OTHER REQUIREMENTS ESTAB-
   28  LISHED BY THIS TITLE HAS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMPACT SUBSIDY.
   29    6. "COMPACT PARTICIPANT" OR "PARTICIPANT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: (A)
   30  HAS APPLIED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE  COMPACT;  (B)  IS  A  STATE  RESIDENT
   31  RESIDING  IN  THIS  STATE AT THE TIME OF SUCH APPLICATION AND HAS BEEN A
   32  STATE RESIDENT FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF  APPLICATION;
   33  (C) HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY AN ASSESSMENT TO BE A CHRONICALLY ILL PERSON,
   34  AND  A  PLAN  OF  CARE  HAS  BEEN DEVELOPED FOR SUCH PERSON; AND (D) HAS
   35  AGREED TO PAY A PLEDGE AMOUNT AS PROVIDED IN THIS TITLE.  A  PARTICIPANT
   36  SHALL BE DEEMED ENROLLED IN THE COMPACT.
   37    7.  "COMPACT RATE" MEANS THE RATE THAT A PROVIDER MAY CHARGE A COMPACT
   38  BENEFICIARY FOR A SERVICE PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE COMPACT. THE  COMPACT
   39  RATE SHALL BE COMPUTED BY THE COMMISSIONER AT ONE HUNDRED TEN PERCENT OF
   40  THE COMPACT SUBSIDY FOR THE SERVICE.
   41    8.  "COMPACT SUBSIDY" OR "SUBSIDY" MEANS THE SUBSIDY PROVIDED PURSUANT
   42  TO THE COMPACT FOR THE COSTS OF ANY QUALIFIED  LONG  TERM  CARE  SERVICE
   43  RECEIVED  BY  A  COMPACT  BENEFICIARY  PURSUANT TO THE PLAN OF CARE. THE
   44  AMOUNT OF THE SUBSIDY SHALL EQUAL THE MEDICAID RATE ESTABLISHED FOR  THE
   45  SAME  OR  A  SIMILAR  SERVICE  IN  THE  REGION  IN WHICH THE BENEFICIARY
   46  RESIDES. IF THERE IS NO MEDICAID RATE FOR A SERVICE  IN  A  REGION,  THE
   47  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  A RATE ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY
   48  COMMITTEE WHICH SHALL BE APPLICABLE IN THE REGION FOR THE  SERVICE.  THE
   49  COMMISSIONER SHALL ADJUST THE METHODOLOGY FOR ESTABLISHING THE AMOUNT OF
   50  THE COMPACT SUBSIDY ONLY ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   51    9.  "COUNTABLE ASSET" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS THE TERM "ASSETS"
   52  IN CLAUSE (I) OF SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARAGRAPH (D) OF  SUBDIVISION  FIVE
   53  OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW APPLICABLE
   54  TO  TRANSFERS  MADE  AFTER  AUGUST TENTH, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-THREE,
   55  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN OR BY RULES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT  TO
   56  THIS TITLE.  COUNTABLE ASSET DOES NOT INCLUDE INCOME.
       A. 5418--A                          3
    1    10.  "COUNTABLE  INCOME" MEANS INCOME REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
    2  CASE OF A PERSON APPLYING FOR MEDICAID PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED
    3  SIXTY-SIX OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HERE-
    4  IN OR BY RULES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE. THE FOLLOWING  HEALTH
    5  CARE  EXPENDITURES SHALL BE EXCLUDED FROM COUNTABLE INCOME: EXPENDITURES
    6  FOR MEDICARE  SUPPLEMENTAL  INSURANCE  POLICIES  MEETING  THE  STANDARDS
    7  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN OF
    8  THE INSURANCE LAW, EXPENDITURES FOR A MEDICARE  PRESCRIPTION  DRUG  PLAN
    9  APPROVED  PURSUANT  TO  PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
   10  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND PREMIUMS FOR THE PURCHASE  OF  LONG  TERM
   11  CARE INSURANCE.
   12    11. "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING.
   13    12.  "FEDERAL ACT" MEANS THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNT-
   14  ABILITY ACT OF 1996 OR ANY  SUCCESSOR  THERETO,  AND  RULES  PROMULGATED
   15  THEREUNDER.  THE  FOLLOWING  TERMS SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS AS UNDER
   16  THE FEDERAL ACT: "QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES";  "LICENSED  HEALTH
   17  CARE  PRACTITIONER";  "ACTIVITIES  OF  DAILY  LIVING";  "CHRONICALLY ILL
   18  PERSON."  ANY PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO THE  CONTRARY  NOTWITHSTAND-
   19  ING,  THE  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE, ENACT,
   20  PROMULGATE, OR ENFORCE ANY REQUIREMENT, RULE, REGULATION  OR  DEFINITION
   21  THAT IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE MEANINGS ASCRIBED TO SUCH TERMS PURSU-
   22  ANT TO THE FEDERAL ACT.  IN ADDITION:
   23    (A)  THE  FOREGOING  TO  THE  CONTRARY  NOTWITHSTANDING AND SOLELY FOR
   24  PURPOSES OF DETERMINING  WHETHER  A  PARTICIPANT  OR  A  BENEFICIARY  IS
   25  SUFFERING  FROM  "SEVERE  COGNITIVE  IMPAIRMENT," THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
   26  REQUIRE THAT SUCH CONDITION BE CHARACTERIZED BY A DETERIORATION OR IRRE-
   27  VERSIBLE LOSS IN INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY THAT REQUIRES SUBSTANTIAL  SUPER-
   28  VISION TO ASSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANT OR OF OTHERS, AND THAT IT
   29  SHALL  BE  ESTABLISHED  BY CLINICAL EVIDENCE AND STANDARDIZED TESTS THAT
   30  RELIABLY MEASURE: SHORT-TERM OR  LONG-TERM  MEMORY;  ORIENTATION  AS  TO
   31  PEOPLE,  PLACE OR TIME; DEDUCTIVE OR ABSTRACT REASONING; AND JUDGMENT AS
   32  IT RELATES TO SAFETY AWARENESS.  THE MEANS OF DETERMINATION AS TO WHETH-
   33  ER A PERSON HAS SUFFERED SEVERE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT  SHALL  INSOFAR  AS
   34  PRACTICAL  BE  THE  SAME  AS  THOSE  USED PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL ACT TO
   35  DETERMINE SEVERE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT.    "SUBSTANTIAL  SUPERVISION"  AS
   36  USED  IN THIS TITLE MEANS CONTINUAL OVERSIGHT THAT MAY INCLUDE CUEING BY
   37  VERBAL PROMPTING, GESTURES OR OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS  BY  ANOTHER  PERSON,
   38  AND  THAT IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE PATIENT FROM THREATS TO HIS OR HER
   39  HEALTH OR SAFETY.
   40    (B) "LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER" SHALL BE LIMITED TO  A  PHYSI-
   41  CIAN,  AS  DEFINED IN SECTION 1861(R)(1) OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OR A
   42  REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH PERSON IS NOT A FAMILY
   43  MEMBER AND FURTHER PROVIDED THAT  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL  SHALL  BE  LICENSED,
   44  REGISTERED, OR CERTIFIED TO WORK IN NEW YORK.
   45    (C)  ANY LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE FOREGOING TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITH-
   46  STANDING, "QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES" SHALL INCLUDE ANY EXPENSES
   47  FOR LONG TERM MEDICAL CARE AND SERVICES WHICH ARE OR, IN THE CASE OF  AN
   48  INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT A TAXPAYER, WHICH WOULD BE DEDUCTIBLE FROM FEDERAL
   49  GROSS  INCOME FOR SUCH TAXPAYER OR INDIVIDUAL AS LONG TERM CARE SERVICES
   50  PURSUANT TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, AND BOTH MEDICAL AND  NON-MEDICAL
   51  SERVICES,  INCLUDING  HOME  MODIFICATION  AND  THE PROVISION OF SERVICES
   52  COORDINATION REQUIRED PURSUANT  TO  THE  PLAN  OF  CARE  PREPARED  BY  A
   53  LICENSED  HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A PARTICIPANT OR
   54  BENEFICIARY IN HIS OR HER OWN HOME, AND SUCH ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS  MAY
   55  BE  APPROVED  BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY
   56  COMMITTEE, SO LONG AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE SATISFIED THAT INCLUSION
       A. 5418--A                          4
    1  OF SUCH ADDITIONAL SERVICES DOES NOT PREVENT RECEIPT OF  FEDERAL  FINAN-
    2  CIAL  PARTICIPATION  UNDER  THE  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR UNDER THE
    3  COMPACT.
    4    13. "FULFILLED PLEDGE" MEANS A PLEDGE AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN FULLY PAID.
    5  ONLY  PAYMENTS  MADE  BY  A  PARTICIPANT,  OR BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY ON
    6  BEHALF OF SUCH PARTICIPANT SHALL BE COUNTED  AS  ELIGIBLE  PAYMENTS  FOR
    7  FULFILLING  A  PLEDGE.  ELIGIBLE  PAYMENTS  SHALL INCLUDE REASONABLE AND
    8  NECESSARY PAYMENTS FOR QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES, AND ANY  ADDI-
    9  TIONAL EXPENSES FOR SERVICES AS MAY BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER UPON
   10  RECOMMENDATION  OF  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE.  SUCH  PAYMENTS SHALL ALSO
   11  INCLUDE  PAYMENTS  FOR  QUALIFIED  LONG  TERM  CARE  SERVICES  FOR   THE
   12  THREE-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO AN INDIVIDUAL BECOMING A PARTICIPANT. COUNT-
   13  ABLE  PAYMENTS MADE FOR A QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICE IN FULFILLING
   14  A PLEDGE SHALL NOT BE GREATER THAN THE AMOUNT  USUALLY  AND  CUSTOMARILY
   15  CHARGED FOR SUCH SERVICE BY A PROVIDER TO A NON-MEDICAID RECIPIENT.
   16    14.  "PLAN  OF CARE" MEANS A WRITTEN, INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR CARE AND
   17  SUPPORT SERVICES DEVELOPED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER FOR AN
   18  INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO ENROLL IN THE COMPACT AND AT OTHER SUCH  TIMES  AS
   19  PROVIDED  HEREIN.  THE PLAN OF CARE SHALL BE DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF AN
   20  ASSESSMENT AND SHALL INCORPORATE ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY AN INDIVID-
   21  UAL'S PERSONAL PHYSICIAN OR, AS APPROPRIATE, OTHER  PHYSICIANS  TREATING
   22  THE  INDIVIDUAL.  IT SHALL FAIRLY, ACCURATELY, AND APPROPRIATELY ADDRESS
   23  THE INDIVIDUAL'S LONG TERM CARE AND SUPPORT  SERVICE  NEEDS,  AND  SHALL
   24  SPECIFY  THE  TYPE,  FREQUENCY, AND DURATION OF ALL SERVICES REQUIRED TO
   25  MEET  THOSE  NEEDS  AND  THE  PROVIDERS  APPROPRIATE  TO  FURNISH  THOSE
   26  SERVICES. A PLAN OF CARE SHALL BE COMPLETED AT THE SAME TIME THE ASSESS-
   27  MENT  IS  PERFORMED,  AND  SHALL BE UPDATED ANNUALLY ON THE BASIS OF THE
   28  ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OR WHENEVER A CHANGE IN THE CONDITION OF THE BENEFICI-
   29  ARY OR PARTICIPANT WARRANTS AN UPDATE. THE COST  OF  THE  PLAN  OF  CARE
   30  SHALL BE PAID BY AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO ENROLL IN THE COMPACT.
   31    15.  "PLEDGE AMOUNT" MEANS THE AMOUNT PLEDGED BY A PARTICIPANT FOR THE
   32  COST OF QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES. THE PLEDGE  AMOUNT  SHALL  BE
   33  THE  LESSER  OF:  (A)  THE  "MAXIMUM  PLEDGE AMOUNT," WHICH SHALL BE THE
   34  AMOUNT EQUAL TO THIRTY-SIX MONTHS OF PAYMENT FOR NURSING  HOME  SERVICES
   35  IN  THE  REGION  IN  WHICH THE PARTICIPANT RESIDES, AS APPLICABLE AT THE
   36  TIME OF APPLICATION TO THE COMPACT; OR
   37    (B) THE "DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT" WHICH SHALL BE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIFTY
   38  PERCENT OF A PARTICIPANT'S COUNTABLE ASSETS. IN THE CASE  OF  A  PARTIC-
   39  IPANT  WHOSE  COUNTABLE ASSETS ARE LESS THAN FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, THE
   40  DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT SHALL BE LIMITED TO  THE  AMOUNT  IN  EXCESS  OF  A
   41  DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT OF TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
   42  CALCULATE  SUCH  DOLLAR  PLEDGE  AMOUNT  BY  SUBTRACTING SUCH DEDUCTIBLE
   43  AMOUNT OF TWENTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FROM  THE  PARTICIPANT'S  COUNTABLE
   44  ASSETS  AND  THE  REMAINDER AMOUNT SHALL EQUAL THE DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT;
   45  PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY INCREASE OR DECREASE  SUCH
   46  FORTY  THOUSAND  DOLLAR  ASSET  AMOUNT  AND  SUCH TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR
   47  DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT AT  THE  SAME  PERCENTAGE  RATE  AS  THE  INCREASE  OR
   48  DECREASE  IN  THE REGIONAL RATE FOR NURSING HOME SERVICES FOR THE REGION
   49  IN WHICH THE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL RESIDES.
   50    16. "REGION" MEANS THE FOLLOWING REGIONS: LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK  CITY,
   51  NORTHERN  METROPOLITAN  NEW  YORK,  NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK, UTICA REGION,
   52  CENTRAL NEW YORK, ROCHESTER REGION AND WESTERN NEW YORK.
   53    17. "REGIONAL RATE" MEANS THE RATE SET ANNUALLY BY THE COMMISSIONER AT
   54  EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE OF ALL RATES, EXCLUSIVE OF MEDICAID RATES, PAID FOR
   55  THE SAME OR SIMILAR SERVICES WITHIN A  REGION.  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL
   56  COMPUTE  AND ANNUALLY UPDATE REGIONAL RATES FOR EACH REGION OF THE STATE
       A. 5418--A                          5
    1  FOR ANY YEAR NOT LATER THAN THE  LAST  WEEK  OF  DECEMBER  OF  THE  YEAR
    2  PRECEDING SUCH YEAR.
    3    S  262.  COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE CREATED; PURPOSES. THE COMPACT FOR
    4  LONG TERM CARE IS HEREBY CREATED. ITS PURPOSE SHALL BE TO PROVIDE  COOR-
    5  DINATED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COVERAGE FOR THE EXPENSES OF PROVIDING QUALI-
    6  FIED  LONG TERM CARE SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS PURSUANT TO A PLAN
    7  OF CARE, A PURPOSE HEREBY DECLARED TO BE IN EVERY RESPECT AN APPROPRIATE
    8  PUBLIC PURPOSE CONDUCTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE  STATE  OF
    9  NEW YORK.
   10    S 263. REQUIREMENT FOR CONSULTATION. ANY PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO
   11  THE  CONTRARY  NOTWITHSTANDING, AND IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT
   12  IMPOSED BY THIS TITLE, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE  DIRECTOR
   13  AND  WITH  THE  SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE PRIOR TO TAKING ANY MATERIAL
   14  ACTION CONCERNING POLICY OR PROGRAM MATTERS  REQUIRED  OR  PERMITTED  BY
   15  THIS  TITLE,  PROVIDED  HOWEVER  THAT THE FAILURE TO RESPOND TIMELY TO A
   16  REQUEST FOR CONSULTATION AND ADVICE SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR  INVALIDATE  ANY
   17  SUCH ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   18    S  264. IMPLEMENTATION. ANY PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY
   19  NOTWITHSTANDING, THE COMMISSIONER IS  HEREBY  AUTHORIZED  TO  AND  SHALL
   20  IMPLEMENT  THE  COMPACT  FOR  LONG  TERM CARE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY THIS
   21  TITLE AND SHALL SUBMIT SUCH WAIVER APPLICATIONS AND/OR STATE PLAN AMEND-
   22  MENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SUCH IMPLEMENTATION,  PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH
   23  PROGRAM  AND  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED ONLY IF
   24  AND FOR SO LONG AS THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE SATISFIED THAT THEY DO  NOT
   25  PREVENT  RECEIPT  OF  FEDERAL  FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION UNDER THE MEDICAL
   26  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR UNDER THE COMPACT. IN APPLYING FOR THE WAIVER, THE
   27  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  CONSULT  WITH  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  CONCERNING
   28  SUBMISSION  OF APPROPRIATE CRITERIA FOR ASSURING THAT A SERVICE IS PROP-
   29  ERLY PROVIDED AND MEETS APPROPRIATE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND COST.
   30    S 265. SELECTION OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY. 1. THE COMMISSIONER  IS
   31  HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO AND SHALL CONTRACT WITH A PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY
   32  TO  ADMINISTER  THE COMPACT. THE PROCESS FOR SELECTING A PROGRAM MANAGE-
   33  MENT ENTITY TO MANAGE THE COMPACT PROGRAM SHALL BE  GOVERNED  SOLELY  BY
   34  THIS TITLE.
   35    2. INSOFAR AS PERMITTED UNDER ANY FEDERAL WAIVERS OR STATE PLAN AMEND-
   36  MENTS  REQUIRED  FOR  IMPLEMENTATION,  THE COMPACT SHALL BE MANAGED BY A
   37  PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY CONTRACTED TO AND SELECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER
   38  BY A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ISSUED PURSU-
   39  ANT TO THIS TITLE. SUCH ENTITY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING AND
   40  MANAGING ALL ASPECTS OF  THE  COMPACT  PROGRAM  AND  LIAISING  WITH  THE
   41  DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH, INDIVIDUALS, INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OTHER ENTI-
   42  TIES  TO  ASSURE  APPROPRIATE  COLLECTION  AND  VERIFICATION  OF   DATA,
   43  COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS REQUIRED TO BE MADE TO THE STATE PURSUANT TO THIS
   44  TITLE,  VERIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS AND CLAIMS TRACKING, AND OTHER SIMI-
   45  LAR ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY SHALL
   46  NOT BE AN INSURANCE ENTITY OFFERING AN INSURANCE PLAN UNDER THE  COMPACT
   47  OR,  UNLESS  REQUIRED  BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATION OR AS A CONDITION OF
   48  FEDERAL APPROVAL OF ANY WAIVERS OR STATE PLAN  AMENDMENTS  NECESSARY  TO
   49  IMPLEMENT  THE  COMPACT,  A  STATE AGENCY OR A COVERED AUTHORITY AS SUCH
   50  TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION TWO-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
   51    3. THE COMMISSIONER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVI-
   52  SION OF THE BUDGET, SHALL WITHIN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF
   53  THIS SECTION, REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE WITH  RECOMMEN-
   54  DATIONS  FOR  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF THE SELECTION PROCESS. SUCH REPORT
   55  SHALL DETAIL:
   56    (A) THE CRITERIA TO BE USED IN SELECTING THE ENTITY;
       A. 5418--A                          6
    1    (B) THE PROCESS TO BE USED IN THE SELECTION, INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF
    2  REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS, REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS OR OTHER MEANS;
    3    (C)  THE  NAMES OF ANY ENTITIES ENGAGED TO DEVELOP CRITERIA AND ASSIST
    4  IN THE SELECTION;
    5    (D) TIMELINESS FOR  THE  SELECTION  OF  THE  ENTITY  AND  ISSUANCE  OF
    6  CONTRACTS;
    7    (E) MARKETING PLANS FOR THE PROGRAM;
    8    (F) MEANS TO MAKE THE SELECTION PROCESS AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE;
    9    (G) MEANS BY WHICH TRADE AND COMPETITIVE SECRETS SHALL BE PROTECTED;
   10    (H)  MEANS BY WHICH INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION RELATING TO ANY
   11  PATIENT OR CONSUMER ACQUIRED BY THE PROGRAM SHALL BE KEPT  CONFIDENTIAL;
   12  AND
   13    (I)  ANY  OTHER INFORMATION THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF THE BUDGET
   14  OR THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DEEM PERTINENT.
   15    IN PREPARING THE REPORT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION  OF  THE  BUDGET
   16  AND  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE
   17  SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE, AND SHALL ADDITIONALLY CONVENE AN  ADVISORY
   18  GROUP  OF  INSURERS AUTHORIZED TO WRITE LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE IN THIS
   19  STATE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ON THE REPORT,  OR  IF  CONVENING  SUCH  GROUP
   20  SHALL  PROVE IMPRACTICABLE OR INAPPROPRIATE, SHALL SHARE THE REPORT WITH
   21  SUCH INSURERS AND INCLUDE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM SUCH INSUR-
   22  ERS AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHEN THE REPORT IS ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR
   23  AND THE LEGISLATURE.
   24    4. AFTER CONSIDERATION OF ANY COMMENTS THEY MAY RECEIVE CONCERNING THE
   25  REPORT, THE COMMISSIONER AND/OR THE DIRECTOR  OF  THE  DIVISION  OF  THE
   26  BUDGET, AS APPROPRIATE, SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING
   27  THE  SELECTION  PROCESS  FOR A PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY. SUCH RULES AND
   28  REGULATIONS SHALL REFLECT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT  INSOFAR  AS
   29  PRACTICABLE AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND THE
   30  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  DIVISION OF THE BUDGET. THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY
   31  SHALL BE SELECTED THROUGH ISSUANCE OF A  REQUEST  FOR  PROPOSALS  OR  IF
   32  APPROPRIATE  AND APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF THE BUDGET,
   33  BY ISSUANCE OF A  REQUEST  FOR  QUALIFICATIONS,  AND  SUCH  REQUEST  FOR
   34  PROPOSALS  OR  REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS SHALL INCORPORATE THE CRITERIA
   35  AND OTHER CONDITIONS AGREED UPON AS A RESULT OF THE PROCESS REQUIRED  IN
   36  THIS SECTION.
   37    S 266. PARTICIPATION AND PLEDGE. 1. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MEETS THE CRITE-
   38  RIA FOR BECOMING A PARTICIPANT SHALL BE ENROLLED IN THE COMPACT PROGRAM.
   39  IN  MEETING  SUCH  CRITERIA, THE INDIVIDUAL SHALL HAVE THE OPTION AT THE
   40  TIME OF APPLICATION TO PLEDGE EITHER THE MAXIMUM PLEDGE  AMOUNT  OR  THE
   41  DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT.
   42    (A) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ELECTS TO PLEDGE THE MAXIMUM PLEDGE AMOUNT SHALL
   43  PAY  OR HAVE PAID ON HIS OR HER BEHALF BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY AN AMOUNT
   44  FOR THE PURCHASE OF QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES THAT IS  EQUAL  TO
   45  THIRTY-SIX  MONTHS  OF  PAYMENT  AT  THE  REGIONAL RATE FOR NURSING HOME
   46  SERVICES IN THE REGION IN WHICH THE PARTICIPANT RESIDES AS OF  THE  DATE
   47  THE INDIVIDUAL APPLIES TO BECOME A PARTICIPANT.
   48    (B)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ELECTS TO PLEDGE THE DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT SHALL
   49  PAY OR HAVE PAID ON HIS OR HER BEHALF BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY AN  AMOUNT
   50  FOR  THE  PURCHASE OF QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES THAT IS EQUAL TO
   51  FIFTY PERCENT OF A PARTICIPANT'S  COUNTABLE  ASSETS.    SUCH  INDIVIDUAL
   52  SHALL SUBMIT: (I) A VERIFIED STATEMENT OF COUNTABLE ASSETS UNDER PENALTY
   53  OF  PERJURY  LISTING ALL COUNTABLE CURRENT ASSETS HELD BY THE INDIVIDUAL
   54  AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION AND ANY ASSET TRANSFERS FOR  LESS  THAN  FULL
   55  VALUE DURING THE FIVE YEARS PRECEDING SUCH DATE OF APPLICATION, (II) THE
   56  INDIVIDUAL'S  FIVE  MOST  RECENT  YEARS  OF STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX
       A. 5418--A                          7
    1  RETURNS, AND (III) ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AS  THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT
    2  ENTITY, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE
    3  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE,  SHALL  DEEM  REASONABLE  AND APPROPRIATE TO VERIFY
    4  ASSETS,  THE  VALUES  OF  SUCH  ASSETS,  AND  THE VALIDITY OF THE PLEDGE
    5  AMOUNT.
    6    (C) DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING THE PLEDGE AMOUNT,  THE  RESULTS  OF  THE
    7  ASSESSMENT  AND EVIDENCE OF A FULFILLED PLEDGE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE
    8  PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY IN A FORM AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMIS-
    9  SIONER.
   10    (D) THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY  NOTWITH-
   11  STANDING,  THE  PLEDGE AMOUNT MAY BE ADJUSTED IN THE EVENT THAT AN INDI-
   12  VIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES,  AS  THE  COMMISSIONER
   13  SHALL  DETERMINE,  BUT  THE  DESCRIPTION  OR DEFINITION OF EXTRAORDINARY
   14  CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED ONLY UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVI-
   15  SORY COMMITTEE.
   16    2. A PARTICIPANT WHO FULFILLS HIS OR HER  PLEDGE  SHALL  BE  DEEMED  A
   17  BENEFICIARY AND SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMPACT SUBSIDY. A PARTICIPANT
   18  WHO FAILS TO FULFILL HIS OR HER PLEDGE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A
   19  BENEFICIARY,  BUT  SHALL NOT SURRENDER ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR MEDICAID
   20  OR ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE  COMPACT  SUBSIDY  IF  SUCH  PARTICIPANT
   21  SHALL LATER BECOME ELIGIBLE.
   22    3.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  SIMILARITY  IN  ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS OR
   23  COMMONALITY IN THE DEFINITIONS OF ASSET,  INCOME  OR  OTHER  ITEMS,  AND
   24  EXCEPT  AS  OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS TITLE, A PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICI-
   25  ARY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE RESOURCE TESTS,  LIENS
   26  AND  OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND IMPOSITIONS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE APPLICA-
   27  BLE TO PERSONS APPLYING FOR OR RECEIVING MEDICAID.
   28    4. THE PURCHASE OF QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES FOR  THE  PURPOSE
   29  OF  FULFILLING  THE PLEDGE SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO THE PURCHASE OF QUALI-
   30  FIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES IN THE STATE  SO  LONG  AS  THE  INDIVIDUAL
   31  MEETS  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS  TITLE WITH RESPECT TO FULFILLING THE
   32  PLEDGE, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT A BENEFICIARY  MAY  ONLY  RECEIVE  THE
   33  COMPACT SUBSIDY FOR SERVICES RECEIVED WITHIN THIS STATE.
   34    5.  COUNTABLE  PAYMENTS MADE FOR A QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICE IN
   35  FULFILLING A PLEDGE SHALL NOT BE GREATER THAN  THE  AMOUNT  USUALLY  AND
   36  CUSTOMARILY  CHARGED  FOR  SUCH  SERVICE BY A PROVIDER TO A NON-MEDICAID
   37  RECIPIENT AND SHALL INCLUDE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES  PAID  FOR
   38  SUCH  SERVICES,  PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT THE COMMISSIONER, ON RECOMMENDA-
   39  TION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MAY ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR ASSURING THAT
   40  A SERVICE IS PROPERLY PROVIDED AND MEETS APPROPRIATE STANDARDS OF QUALI-
   41  TY AND COST. THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT  ENTITY  SHALL  BE  AUTHORIZED  TO
   42  UTILIZE  SUCH  CRITERIA IN ESTABLISHING PARAMETERS FOR PROPER AND APPRO-
   43  PRIATE PAYMENT FOR SERVICES AND ASSURANCES OF QUALITY. THE  COMMISSIONER
   44  SHALL  REQUIRE  SUBMISSION  TO THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY OF PERIODIC
   45  UPDATES OF PAYMENTS MADE TOWARD FULFILLING THE PLEDGE AND REVIEW OF SUCH
   46  PAYMENTS BY THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY FOR ELIGIBILITY.  THE  PROGRAM
   47  MANAGEMENT  ENTITY  SHALL ADVISE THE PARTICIPANT OF ANY INELIGIBILITY OF
   48  ANY SUCH PAYMENTS.
   49    6. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A SEAMLESS PROCESS FOR  TRANSITION
   50  OF  AN  INDIVIDUAL  FROM PARTICIPANT TO BENEFICIARY WHEN SUCH INDIVIDUAL
   51  HAS FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.  SUCH
   52  SEAMLESS  PROCESS  MAY  INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, APPLICATION TO RECEIVE THE
   53  PUBLIC SUBSIDY AS A BENEFICIARY AT THE SAME  TIME  THAT  THE  INDIVIDUAL
   54  ENROLLS  AS  A  PARTICIPANT  IN  THE COMPACT, SO THAT WHEN THE PLEDGE IS
   55  FULFILLED, THE INDIVIDUAL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSITIONS  TO  THE  STATUS  OF
       A. 5418--A                          8
    1  BENEFICIARY  ELIGIBLE  FOR THE COMPACT SUBSIDY. INSOFAR AS FEASIBLE, THE
    2  TRANSITION SHOULD BE MANAGED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY.
    3    S  267.  BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION.  1. A BENEFICIARY WHO FULFILLS THE
    4  PLEDGE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO PRESERVE HIS OR HER RESOURCES AND  SHALL  BE
    5  ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COMPACT SUBSIDY.
    6    2.  A BENEFICIARY SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO RESOURCE REQUIRE-
    7  MENTS OR LIMITATIONS, OR TO THE RECOVERY OF PAYMENTS MADE BY  THE  STATE
    8  FROM  THE  ESTATES OF SUCH INDIVIDUALS, OR TO THE IMPOSITION OF LIENS ON
    9  THE HOMES OF PERSONS, SUCH AS THOSE WHICH ARE IMPOSED  ON  BENEFICIARIES
   10  OF  THE  MEDICAID PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OR
   11  SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE OF  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  LAW,  UNLESS
   12  OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN OR PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.
   13    3.  A  BENEFICIARY  SHALL  BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE SUBSIDY PAID TO THE
   14  PROVIDER OF SERVICES FOR THE COSTS OF QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE  SERVICES
   15  FROM ANY WILLING PROVIDER SELECTED BY SUCH BENEFICIARY.
   16    4. A BENEFICIARY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE QUALIFIED LONG TERM CARE
   17  SERVICES AT A RATE CHARGED BY A PROVIDER OF SERVICES WHICH IS NO GREATER
   18  THAN THE COMPACT RATE.
   19    5.  A BENEFICIARY SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT FOR SUCH QUALI-
   20  FIED LONG TERM CARE SERVICES OF ANY AMOUNT GREATER THAN  THE  DIFFERENCE
   21  BETWEEN THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY.
   22    6.  A BENEFICIARY SHALL ANNUALLY REMIT A PARTICIPATION FEE TO MAINTAIN
   23  ELIGIBILITY IN THE COMPACT, EQUAL TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF SUCH BENEFI-
   24  CIARY'S COUNTABLE INCOME.  SUCH FEE SHALL BE REMITTED TO THE COMMISSION-
   25  ER OR, IF SO DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER,  TO  THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT
   26  ENTITY  FOR  TRANSMITTAL  TO  THE  COMMISSIONER. THE COMMISSIONER, AFTER
   27  CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SHALL MAKE PROVISION TO  ALLOW
   28  A  BENEFICIARY  TO  MAKE  PAYMENTS  ON  A MONTHLY OR OTHER BASIS, AT THE
   29  OPTION OF THE BENEFICIARY.
   30    7. A BENEFICIARY SHALL RETAIN A PROTECTED AMOUNT OF INCOME DURING  THE
   31  PERIOD IN WHICH THE BENEFICIARY IS RECEIVING THE COMPACT SUBSIDY, AS SET
   32  FORTH IN THIS TITLE.
   33    8.  A BENEFICIARY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE ANNUAL COMPACT SUBSIDY
   34  PAID FOR NON-INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FROM ONE OR MORE PROVIDERS FOR UP TO
   35  AN AMOUNT THAT IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO  THE  ANNUAL  REGIONAL  MEDICAID
   36  RATE  COMPUTED  FOR  NURSING  HOME  SERVICES FOR THE REGION IN WHICH THE
   37  BENEFICIARY RESIDES.
   38    S 268. PROTECTED INCOME. 1. THE COMMISSIONER, AFTER CONSULTATION  WITH
   39  THE  ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SHALL ESTABLISH PROVISIONS TO WAIVE ALL OR PART
   40  OF THE PARTICIPATION FEE AND ALL OR PART OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT A BENE-
   41  FICIARY PAY ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE  COMPACT  RATE  AND  THE  COMPACT
   42  SUBSIDY  IF  THE  BENEFICIARY'S  COUNTABLE  INCOME  IN  ANY MONTH, AFTER
   43  DEDUCTION OF THE PARTICIPATION FEE AND PAYMENT OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
   44  THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY AMOUNT WHICH THE BENEFICIARY IS
   45  REQUIRED TO PAY FOR SERVICES, SHALL BE LESS THAN THE FOLLOWING PROTECTED
   46  INCOME AMOUNTS:
   47    (A) FOR AN UNMARRIED BENEFICIARY RECEIVING CARE  IN  AN  INSTITUTIONAL
   48  SETTING  SUCH AS A NURSING HOME, ADULT HOME, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY OR
   49  OTHER SIMILAR FACILITY, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE  INSTITUTIONAL  PROTECTED
   50  AMOUNT;
   51    (B)  FOR  AN  UNMARRIED  BENEFICIARY RECEIVING CARE AT HOME, AN AMOUNT
   52  EQUAL TO THE MINIMUM MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE;
   53    (C) FOR A MARRIED COUPLE OF WHOM ONE IS A BENEFICIARY  RECEIVING  CARE
   54  IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING SUCH AS A NURSING HOME, ADULT HOME, ASSISTED
   55  LIVING FACILITY OR OTHER SIMILAR FACILITY, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE INSTI-
   56  TUTIONAL PROTECTED AMOUNT FOR THE BENEFICIARY AND AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE
       A. 5418--A                          9
    1  MINIMUM  MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR THE SPOUSE WHO IS NOT A
    2  BENEFICIARY;
    3    (D)  FOR  A MARRIED COUPLE OF WHOM ONE IS A BENEFICIARY RECEIVING CARE
    4  AT HOME, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES THE  MINIMUM  MONTHLY
    5  MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE;
    6    (E)  FOR  A  MARRIED  COUPLE, BOTH OF WHOM ARE BENEFICIARIES RECEIVING
    7  CARE IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING SUCH AS A  NURSING  HOME,  ADULT  HOME,
    8  ASSISTED  LIVING  FACILITY OR OTHER SIMILAR FACILITY, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO
    9  AN INSTITUTIONAL PROTECTED AMOUNT FOR EACH BENEFICIARY; AND
   10    (F) FOR A MARRIED COUPLE, BOTH OF  WHOM  ARE  BENEFICIARIES  RECEIVING
   11  CARE  AT  HOME,  AN  AMOUNT  EQUAL TO ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES THE MINIMUM
   12  MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE.
   13    2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY ADJUST SUCH INSTITUTIONAL PROTECTED
   14  AMOUNT BY THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OR DECREASE  IN  THE  COST  OF  LIVING
   15  INDEX,  USING  THE YEAR IN WHICH THIS TITLE SHALL HAVE BECOME LAW AS THE
   16  BASE YEAR.
   17    3. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "MINIMUM MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS  ALLOW-
   18  ANCE"  HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SUCH TERM IN PARAGRAPH (H) OF SUBDIVISION
   19  TWO OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX-C OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW  AND
   20  "INSTITUTIONAL  PROTECTED  AMOUNT" MEANS THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS,
   21  WHICH AMOUNT SHALL BE ADJUSTED BY THE COMMISSIONER ANNUALLY BY THE  SAME
   22  PERCENTAGE  AS  THE  PERCENTAGE  INCREASE  IN THE FEDERAL CONSUMER PRICE
   23  INDEX.
   24    4. WHEN MAKING THE COMPUTATION TO DETERMINE IF A BENEFICIARY'S  INCOME
   25  WOULD  FALL  BELOW  THE APPROPRIATE PROTECTED INCOME AMOUNT, THE COMMIS-
   26  SIONER SHALL SUBTRACT FROM THE BENEFICIARY'S  MONTHLY  COUNTABLE  INCOME
   27  THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY THAT THE
   28  BENEFICIARY  IS  REQUIRED TO PAY, AND THEN THE PARTICIPATION FEE. IF THE
   29  REMAINING COUNTABLE INCOME AFTER  SUCH  SUBTRACTION  IS  LESS  THAN  THE
   30  PROTECTED  AMOUNT  APPROPRIATE  TO  SUCH  BENEFICIARY,  THE COMMISSIONER
   31  SHALL,  AFTER  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE,   ESTABLISH
   32  PROVISIONS  FOR:  (A) A REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF THE PARTICIPATION FEE
   33  TO BE PAID BY THE BENEFICIARY, (B) A REDUCTION IN PAYMENT  FOR  SERVICES
   34  BY  THE  BENEFICIARY  OF  ANY  DIFFERENCE  TO BE PAID BY THE BENEFICIARY
   35  BETWEEN THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY, AND (C) THE PERIOD  OF
   36  TIME  DURING  WHICH REDUCTION OR REDUCTIONS SHALL BE EFFECTIVE, IN ORDER
   37  TO ASSURE THAT THE BENEFICIARY SHALL ALWAYS RETAIN THE PROTECTED  AMOUNT
   38  OF INCOME. ANY SUCH REDUCTION SHALL NOT BE EFFECTIVE FOR A PERIOD GREAT-
   39  ER THAN TWELVE MONTHS IN ANY THIRTY-SIX MONTH PERIOD.
   40    5.  ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS TITLE TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING,
   41  THE COMMISSIONER MAY ADDITIONALLY,  AFTER  CONSULTATION  WITH  AND  UPON
   42  RECOMMENDATION  OF  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE, ESTABLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL
   43  BASIS FOR A REDUCTION OF THE PAYMENT FOR SERVICES BY THE BENEFICIARY  OF
   44  ANY  DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY AND OF
   45  THE PARTICIPATION FEE TO BE PAID BY THE BENEFICIARY, A  FINDING  THAT  A
   46  BENEFICIARY  LACKS  THE RESOURCES AFTER PAYMENT OF NECESSARY EXPENSES TO
   47  REMAIN IN HIS OR HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE AFTER PAYMENT  OF  SUCH  PARTIC-
   48  IPATION  FEE  AND/OR  PAYMENT  FOR SERVICES, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE
   49  BENEFICIARY'S COUNTABLE INCOME EXCEEDS THE PROTECTED INCOME AMOUNT.  THE
   50  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  SHALL PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONER WITH A DEFINITION OF
   51  NECESSARY EXPENSES AS USED IN THIS SECTION  PRIOR  TO  THE  COMMISSIONER
   52  TAKING  ANY  ACTION AUTHORIZED BY THIS SUBDIVISION. INSOFAR AS PRACTICA-
   53  BLE, SUCH DEFINITION SHALL BE QUANTIFIABLE, AND THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL
   54  ESTABLISH  A  FORMULA  BY  RULE AND REGULATION FOR DETERMINING NECESSARY
   55  EXPENSES BASED ON SUCH DEFINITION AND FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A  BENEFI-
       A. 5418--A                         10
    1  CIARY  LACKS  THE  RESOURCES AFTER PAYMENT OF SUCH NECESSARY EXPENSES TO
    2  REMAIN IN HIS OR HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
    3    S  269. IMPOSITION OF LIEN IN CERTAIN CASES. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS
    4  TITLE SHALL PREVENT THE IMPOSITION OF A LIEN  OR  RECOVERY  AGAINST  THE
    5  PROPERTY  OF AN INDIVIDUAL ON ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES INCORRECTLY PAID UNDER
    6  THE COMPACT SUBSIDY.
    7    S 270. PROHIBITED ACTS. NO PERSON ENGAGED IN THE DEVELOPMENT,  MARKET-
    8  ING,  ADVERTISING  OR SALE OF ANY INSURANCE PLAN DESIGNED TO SATISFY THE
    9  PLEDGE AMOUNT SHALL:
   10    1. GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR OTHERWISE ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW.
   11    2. ASSUME, USE OR ADVERTISE THE TITLE OF LAWYER OR ATTORNEY AT LAW, OR
   12  EQUIVALENT TERMS IN THE ENGLISH  LANGUAGE  OR  ANY  OTHER  LANGUAGE,  OR
   13  REPRESENT  OR  ADVERTISE  OTHER TITLES OR CREDENTIALS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
   14  LIMITED TO "NOTARY PUBLIC", "ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT
   15  OF HEALTH" OR "COMPACT CONSULTANT", THAT COULD CAUSE  AN  INDIVIDUAL  TO
   16  BELIEVE  THAT  THE  PERSON  POSSESSES  SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OR IS
   17  AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ADVICE ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE COMPACT; PROVIDED
   18  THAT A NOTARY PUBLIC LICENSED BY THE SECRETARY  OF  STATE  MAY  USE  THE
   19  TITLE "NOTARY PUBLIC".
   20    3.  STATE  OR  IMPLY THAT THE PERSON CAN OR WILL OBTAIN SPECIAL FAVORS
   21  FROM OR HAS SPECIAL INFLUENCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE  ADMIN-
   22  ISTRATIVE ENTITY OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.
   23    4.  DEMAND  OR  RETAIN  ANY  FEES  OR  COMPENSATION  FOR  SERVICES NOT
   24  PERFORMED OR COSTS THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY INCURRED.
   25    5. ADVISE, DIRECT OR PERMIT  A  CUSTOMER  TO  ANSWER  QUESTIONS  ON  A
   26  GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT, OR IN A DISCUSSION WITH A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, IN A
   27  SPECIFIC  WAY WHERE SUCH PERSON KNOWS OR HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE
   28  THAT THE ANSWERS ARE FALSE OR MISLEADING.
   29    6. DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION TO, OR FILE ANY FORMS  OR  DOCUMENTS  WITH
   30  THE  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ANY OTHER STATE DEPARTMENT OR THE ADMINISTRA-
   31  TIVE ENTITY WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF THE CUSTOMER.
   32    7. FAIL TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH COPIES OF DOCUMENTS FILED WITH A
   33  GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OR REFUSE TO RETURN ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS SUPPLIED  BY,
   34  PREPARED ON BEHALF OF OR PAID FOR BY THE INDIVIDUAL, UPON THE REQUEST OF
   35  THE  INDIVIDUAL.  ORIGINAL  DOCUMENTS  MUST  BE  RETURNED  PROMPTLY UPON
   36  REQUEST, EVEN IF THERE IS A FEE DISPUTE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.
   37    8. MAKE ANY MISREPRESENTATION OR FALSE STATEMENT,  DIRECTLY  OR  INDI-
   38  RECTLY.
   39    9.  MAKE  ANY GUARANTEE OR PROMISE TO AN INDIVIDUAL, UNLESS THERE IS A
   40  BASIS IN FACT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATION, AND THE GUARANTEE OR  PROMISE  IS
   41  IN WRITING.
   42    S  271.  FRAUDULENT  PRACTICES.  1.  ANY APPLICANT WHO IS FOUND BY THE
   43  COMMISSIONER, AFTER NOTICE AND A HEARING, TO HAVE KNOWINGLY MADE A FALSE
   44  STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION CONCERNING A FACT MATERIAL TO THE FULFILLING
   45  OF A PLEDGE  AMOUNT,  AS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS  ARTICLE,  OR  DELIBERATELY
   46  CONCEALED  SUCH  A  FACT, SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE COMPACT PROGRAM
   47  PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ARTICLE. SUCH INDIVIDUAL SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO  BE
   48  A  PARTICIPANT  OR  BENEFICIARY  OR  TO HAVE FULFILLED HIS OR HER PLEDGE
   49  AMOUNT, BUT SHALL NOT SURRENDER HIS OR  HER  ELIGIBILITY  TO  APPLY  FOR
   50  MEDICAID.
   51    2.  NO PERSON SHALL KNOWINGLY MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION
   52  OF A MATERIAL FACT, OR DELIBERATELY CONCEAL A MATERIAL FACT,  OR  OTHER-
   53  WISE SEEK BENEFITS BY IMPERSONATION OR OTHER FRAUDULENT DEVICE, IN THEIR
   54  WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS UNDER THIS TITLE.
   55    3.  NO  PERSON SHALL, WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD, PRESENT FOR ALLOWANCE OR
   56  PAYMENT ANY FRAUDULENT CLAIM  FOR  FURNISHING  SERVICES  OR  MERCHANDISE
       A. 5418--A                         11
    1  UNDER  THIS TITLE, OR KNOWINGLY SUBMIT FALSE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE
    2  OF OBTAINING GREATER COMPENSATION THAN THAT TO WHICH SUCH INDIVIDUAL  IS
    3  LEGALLY  ENTITLED  FOR  FURNISHING  SERVICES  OR  MERCHANDISE UNDER THIS
    4  TITLE,  OR KNOWINGLY SUBMIT FALSE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAIN-
    5  ING AUTHORIZATION FOR FURNISHING  SERVICES  OR  MERCHANDISE  UNDER  THIS
    6  TITLE.
    7    4.  ANY  PERSON  WHO  RECEIVES A BENEFIT PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS TITLE
    8  BASED UPON AN APPLICATION WHICH VIOLATES SUBDIVISION  TWO  OR  THREE  OF
    9  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  BE GUILTY OF A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR. SUCH A FINDING
   10  SHALL NOT PREVENT AN ACTION TO RECOVER THE VALUE OF THE BENEFIT PROVIDED
   11  FOR UNDER THIS TITLE AGAINST THE INDIVIDUAL FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED  THIS
   12  SECTION.
   13    S  271-A.  PAYMENTS AND DEFAULTS. 1. PAYMENTS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR
   14  SERVICES PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS SHALL BE  MADE  BY  OR  ON  BEHALF  OF
   15  PARTICIPANTS OR A PERSON OR ENTITY ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT.
   16    2.  PAYMENTS  TO  SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO BENEFICI-
   17  ARIES SHALL BE MADE BY THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT  ENTITY.  A  BENEFICIARY
   18  SHALL  BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMPACT RATE AND
   19  THE COMPACT SUBSIDY  TO  THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT  ENTITY.  PAYMENTS  TO
   20  SERVICES  PROVIDERS  SHALL  BE  MADE NO LESS FREQUENTLY THAN PAYMENTS TO
   21  PROVIDERS BY MEDICAID PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED  SIXTY-SEVEN  OF
   22  THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   23    3. A BENEFICIARY WHO KNOWINGLY FAILS TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
   24  COMPACT  RATE  AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY AS REQUIRED IN THIS TITLE, UNLESS
   25  SUCH BENEFICIARY IS EXCUSED PURSUANT TO THE HARDSHIP PROVISIONS OF  THIS
   26  TITLE, SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY, WHICH MAY EXER-
   27  CISE  ANY  AND  ALL  APPROPRIATE REMEDIES FOR COLLECTION OF THE DEBT.  A
   28  DEBT UNPAID FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY DAYS, EXCEPT IN  THE  CASE  IN  WHICH
   29  HARDSHIP  HAS  BEEN  DETERMINED,  SHALL RESULT IN SUCH BENEFICIARY BEING
   30  DECLARED IN DEFAULT AND NO LONGER ENROLLED IN THE COMPACT.
   31    4. A PARTICIPANT WHO HAS FULFILLED HIS OR HER PLEDGE SHALL BE PRESUMED
   32  ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SERVICES AS A BENEFICIARY FOR A PERIOD OF SIXTY DAYS
   33  FROM THE DATE OF  DETERMINATION.  IF  A  PARTICIPANT  DETERMINED  TO  BE
   34  PRESUMPTIVELY  ELIGIBLE  TO RECEIVE THE COMPACT SUBSIDY AS A BENEFICIARY
   35  IS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED TO BE INELIGIBLE  FOR  SUCH  ASSISTANCE,  THE
   36  COMMISSIONER  MAY  RECOUP  FROM  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL  ANY SUMS EXPENDED FOR
   37  ASSISTANCE DURING THE PERIOD OF PRESUMED ELIGIBILITY.
   38    5. A PARTICIPANT WHO KNOWINGLY DEFAULTS ON PAYMENT OF THE PLEDGE, OR A
   39  BENEFICIARY WHO KNOWINGLY DEFAULTS ON PAYMENT OF THE DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN
   40  THE COMPACT RATE AND THE COMPACT SUBSIDY, AND WHO IS THEREFORE NO LONGER
   41  ENROLLED  IN THE PROGRAM, SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PROTECTION OF
   42  ASSETS OR INCOME OTHERWISE AFFORDED TO  PARTICIPANTS  AND  BENEFICIARIES
   43  UNDER  THE  COMPACT.  NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS TITLE SHALL BE DEEMED TO
   44  SHIELD OR OTHERWISE EXCUSE A BENEFICIARY OR A PARTICIPANT  FROM  PAYMENT
   45  OF A DEBT LAWFULLY INCURRED TO A SERVICE PROVIDER.
   46    6. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSIONER MAY
   47  ESTABLISH  RULES, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS FOR WRITTEN AGREEMENTS, GOVERN-
   48  ING THE PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF DEBT BY PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES
   49  TO SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TO THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT  ENTITY  AS  WELL  AS
   50  NOTIFICATION GUIDELINES TO THE BENEFICIARY, OR A PERSON OR ENTITY ACTING
   51  ON BEHALF OF THE BENEFICIARY TO ENSURE THAT PAYMENTS MISSED IN ERROR CAN
   52  BE CORRECTED WITHOUT PUNISHMENT TO THE BENEFICIARY.
   53    S  272.  APPEALS.  1. ANY PERSON OR AN INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON
   54  BEHALF OF ANY SUCH PERSON MAY APPEAL TO THE COMMISSIONER FROM  DECISIONS
   55  OF THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY UPON GROUNDS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION.
       A. 5418--A                         12
    1  ANY APPEAL PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE REQUESTED WITHIN SIXTY DAYS
    2  AFTER THE DATE OF THE ACTION OR FAILURE TO ACT COMPLAINED OF.
    3    2.  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL SPECIFY THE GROUNDS AND THE FORUM FOR SUCH
    4  APPEALS IN REGULATIONS.
    5    (A) SUCH GROUNDS AND FORUMS SHALL INCLUDE PROVISION  OF  FAIR  HEARING
    6  FOR  THE  FOLLOWING  AND SIMILAR ISSUES: (I) COMPUTATION OF THE VALUE OF
    7  ASSETS OR INCOME;  (II)  WHETHER  EXPENSES  ARE  ELIGIBLE  EXPENSES  FOR
    8  PAYMENT  OF  THE  PLEDGE,  AND  WHETHER  THE PLEDGE WAS FULFILLED; (III)
    9  AMOUNT OF PARTICIPATION FEE OR CO-PAY; (IV)  DENIAL  OF  PAYMENT  FOR  A
   10  SERVICE PROVIDED TO A BENEFICIARY.
   11    (B)  SUCH  GROUNDS  AND  FORUMS SHALL ALSO INCLUDE PROVISION FOR THIRD
   12  PARTY REVIEW AND ARBITRATION FOR SUCH ISSUES AS: (I) THE ASSESSMENT  AND
   13  PLAN  OF CARE; (II) PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS; AND (III) QUALITY OF PROVIDER
   14  SERVICES.
   15    3. DECISIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER PURSUANT TO  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  BE
   16  BINDING  UPON  THE  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT  ENTITY. SUCH GROUNDS FOR APPEAL
   17  SHALL NOT INCLUDE DENIALS FOR ISSUES AND CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATED  TO  THE
   18  LANGUAGE,  PROCESSING  OR  APPROVAL  OF  COVERAGE UNDER A LONG TERM CARE
   19  INSURANCE POLICY WHICH ARE OTHERWISE THE SUBJECT OF EXTERNAL APPEALS  OF
   20  ADVERSE  DETERMINATIONS  OF  HEALTH  CARE PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS TWO
   21  HUNDRED ONE, THREE HUNDRED ONE, ELEVEN HUNDRED NINE, THIRTY-TWO  HUNDRED
   22  ONE,   THIRTY-TWO   HUNDRED   SIXTEEN,   THIRTY-TWO  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN,
   23  THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN-A, THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE, FORTY-TWO
   24  HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE,  FORTY-THREE  HUNDRED  THREE,  FORTY-THREE  HUNDRED
   25  FOUR,   FORTY-THREE   HUNDRED   FIVE,  FORTY-THREE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-ONE,
   26  FORTY-THREE HUNDRED  TWENTY-TWO  AND  FORTY-THREE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-FOUR,
   27  ARTICLE  FORTY-SEVEN  AND  ARTICLE  FORTY-NINE  OF THE INSURANCE LAW AND
   28  CHAPTER FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX OF THE LAWS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED  NINETY-
   29  EIGHT.
   30    4. ANY AGGRIEVED PARTY TO AN APPEAL, OTHER THAN THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
   31  ENTITY, MAY APPLY FOR REVIEW AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE
   32  CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
   33    S  273. TREATMENT OF ASSETS. 1. A PARTICIPANT'S HOMESTEAD SHALL NOT BE
   34  DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET IF THE HOMESTEAD WAS PURCHASED MORE  THAN  FIVE
   35  YEARS  PRIOR  TO THE DATE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL APPLIES TO BECOME A PARTIC-
   36  IPANT IN THE COMPACT. A HOMESTEAD PURCHASED WITHIN FIVE  YEARS  OF  SUCH
   37  DATE  SHALL  BE  DEEMED  A  COUNTABLE  ASSET, UNLESS SUCH HOMESTEAD IS A
   38  REPLACEMENT FOR A HOMESTEAD SOLD WITHIN ONE YEAR PRIOR TO  THE  PURCHASE
   39  DATE,  IN  WHICH CASE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SALE
   40  PRICE OF THE OLD HOMESTEAD AND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE  NEW  HOMESTEAD
   41  SHALL  BE DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "HOMESTEAD"
   42  MEANS THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE OCCUPIED BY  A  BENEFICIARY  OR  PARTICIPANT
   43  AND/OR  MEMBERS  OF  HIS  OR  HER FAMILY. FAMILY MEMBERS MAY INCLUDE THE
   44  BENEFICIARY'S OR PARTICIPANT'S SPOUSE, MINOR CHILDREN,  CERTIFIED  BLIND
   45  OR  CERTIFIED  DISABLED CHILDREN, A CARETAKER CHILD, AND OTHER DEPENDENT
   46  RELATIVES.  HOMESTEAD SHALL BE DEEMED TO MEAN AND INCLUDE THE HOME, LAND
   47  AND INTEGRAL PARTS SUCH AS GARAGES AND OUTBUILDINGS, AND MAY BE A CONDO-
   48  MINIUM, COOPERATIVE APARTMENT OR MANUFACTURED HOME.  HOMESTEAD SHALL NOT
   49  BE DEEMED TO MEAN AND INCLUDE VACATION  HOMES,  SUMMER  HOMES  OR  OTHER
   50  PREMISES  NOT USED AS A PRIMARY RESIDENCE. THE FOREGOING TO THE CONTRARY
   51  NOTWITHSTANDING, TO THE EXTENT THAT A HOMESTEAD PURCHASED MORE THAN FIVE
   52  YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL APPLIES TO BECOME  A  PARTIC-
   53  IPANT  IN  THE COMPACT IS DEEMED A RESOURCE UNDER THE RULES OF THE PART-
   54  NERSHIP FOR LONG-TERM CARE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED
   55  SIXTY-SEVEN-F OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IT  SHALL  ALSO  BE  DEEMED  A
   56  RESOURCE UNDER THE COMPACT.
       A. 5418--A                         13
    1    2.  ANY  OTHER  PROVISION  OF  ANY  OTHER  LAW OR OF THIS TITLE TO THE
    2  CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, THE COMMISSIONER, ACTING ON RECOMMENDATION  OF
    3  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE,  MAY EXEMPT CERTAIN INCOME AND RESOURCES OF AN
    4  INDIVIDUAL AND OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S SPOUSE FROM INCLUSION AS A  COUNTABLE
    5  ASSET.
    6    3.  (A)  WITH  RESPECT  TO  ANNUITIES, (I) THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ANY
    7  ANNUITY SHALL BE DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET IF SUCH ANNUITY  IN  PERMANENT
    8  PAYOUT  STATUS WAS PURCHASED WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE DATE AN INDIVIDUAL
    9  APPLIES TO BECOME  A  PARTICIPANT,  PROVIDED  HOWEVER  THAT  ANY  PAYOUT
   10  AMOUNTS SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF THE INCOME CALCU-
   11  LATION;  (II)  THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ANY ANNUITY SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A
   12  COUNTABLE ASSET IF A LEVEL PAYMENT SCHEDULE HAS BEEN IN FORCE FOR  THREE
   13  YEARS  OR  MORE  PRIOR  TO  THE  DATE  AN INDIVIDUAL APPLIES TO BECOME A
   14  PARTICIPANT, AND NEITHER THE INDIVIDUAL NOR  A  PERSON  ACTING  ON  SUCH
   15  INDIVIDUAL'S  BEHALF  HAS  THE  ABILITY TO WITHDRAW AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF
   16  SCHEDULED PAYMENTS, PROVIDED HOWEVER  THAT  IN  SUCH  CASE,  ANY  PAYOUT
   17  AMOUNTS  SHALL  BE  COUNTED  AS INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF THE INCOME CALCU-
   18  LATION; AND (III) AN ANNUITY NOT IN PERMANENT  PAYOUT  STATUS  FOR  FIVE
   19  YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE AN INDIVIDUAL APPLIES TO BECOME A PARTICIPANT IN
   20  THE COMPACT PROGRAM SHALL BE DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET.
   21    (B)  THE  VALUE  OF AN ASSET TRANSFERRED INTO AN IRREVOCABLE TRUST FOR
   22  LESS THAN FULL CONSIDERATION WITHIN FIVE YEARS  PRIOR  TO  THE  DATE  OF
   23  APPLICATION TO THE COMPACT PROGRAM SHALL BE DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET.
   24    (C)  PRE-PAID  FUNERALS  PURCHASED  FOR  AN  INDIVIDUAL  WHO BECOMES A
   25  PARTICIPANT OR A BENEFICIARY, A SPOUSE OR FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
   26  SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED AS A COUNTABLE ASSET, IF MADE PRIOR TO THE DATE ON
   27  WHICH THE PARTICIPANT FULFILLS THE PLEDGE AMOUNT.
   28    (D) THE VALUE OF ANY DEBTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED  TO  OUTSTANDING
   29  DEBT  ON  CREDIT  CARDS,  AUTO PAYMENTS, MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, HOME
   30  EQUITY LOANS, REVERSE MORTGAGES AND ANY OTHER SUCH SIMILAR DEBT  INSTRU-
   31  MENTS  SHALL  BE  DEDUCTED WHEN CALCULATING THE TOTAL VALUE OF COUNTABLE
   32  ASSETS.
   33    (E) THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF A MORTGAGE ON A  HOMESTEAD  SHALL  NOT  BE
   34  DEDUCTED  IF  THE  HOMESTEAD  IS  NOT DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET, PROVIDED
   35  HOWEVER THAT PAYMENTS MADE TO REDUCE  OR  ELIMINATE  ANY  SUCH  MORTGAGE
   36  SHALL  BE DEDUCTED WHEN CALCULATING THE TOTAL VALUE OF COUNTABLE ASSETS.
   37  IF THE HOMESTEAD IS DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET, THE  PRINCIPAL  AMOUNT  OF
   38  THE  MORTGAGE  SHALL  BE  DEDUCTED  WHEN  CALCULATING THE TOTAL VALUE OF
   39  COUNTABLE ASSETS.
   40    (F) IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING, THE FOLLOWING SHALL NOT  BE  CONSID-
   41  ERED AS INCOME OR ASSETS:
   42    (I)  ANY GIFT OR GIFTS MADE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR AN INDIVIDUAL'S SPOUSE
   43  THAT TOTAL LESS THAN TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ANY CALENDAR  YEAR.  THE
   44  COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY ADJUST SUCH AMOUNT BY THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS
   45  THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE FEDERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX;
   46    (II) EXPENDITURES TO AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OR MEDICAL FACILITY ON
   47  BEHALF  OF  A  SPOUSE  OR  CHILD,  PROVIDED  HOWEVER THAT THESE SHALL BE
   48  REASONABLE EXPENDITURES FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT  OR  EDUCA-
   49  TION;
   50    (III) GIFTS THAT QUALIFY AS A CHARITABLE DEDUCTION ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S
   51  FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN; AND
   52    (IV)  THE  AMOUNT  RECEIVED FROM A REVERSE MORTGAGE IF EXPENDED WITHIN
   53  THIRTY DAYS OF THE TIME IN WHICH RECEIVED.  AN  AMOUNT  FROM  A  REVERSE
   54  MORTGAGE  THAT  IS  HELD FOR LONGER THAN SUCH THIRTY DAY PERIOD SHALL BE
   55  CONSIDERED AS COUNTABLE INCOME, UNLESS USED FOR  THE  PURCHASE  OF  LONG
   56  TERM CARE SERVICES AS DEFINED IN THIS TITLE.
       A. 5418--A                         14
    1    (G)  THE  COMMISSIONER,  AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
    2  SHALL ESTABLISH CRITERIA TO DETERMINE  WHETHER  EXPENDITURES  AND  GIFTS
    3  MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION ARE DISALLOWABLE TRANSACTIONS.
    4    S  274.  SPECIAL  PROVISIONS REGARDING COUPLES. 1. THE REQUIREMENTS OF
    5  THIS TITLE CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF ASSETS SHALL BE DEEMED TO  MEAN  AND
    6  INCLUDE  DISCLOSURE  OF  ALL  ASSETS,  INCLUDING ALL ASSETS OF A MARRIED
    7  COUPLE, WITHOUT DISTINCTION AS  TO  OWNERSHIP  BY  OR  BETWEEN  SPOUSES.
    8  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE FOREGOING, IF THERE IS A PRE OR POST-NUPTIAL AGREE-
    9  MENT WHICH HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE THREE OR MORE YEARS PRIOR TO THE  DATE  OF
   10  ENROLLMENT IN THE COMPACT PROGRAM, THE VALUE OF THE ASSETS OF THE SPOUSE
   11  NOT  ENROLLED  IN  THE COMPACT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A COUNTABLE ASSET AND
   12  SHALL NOT REQUIRE DISCLOSURE TO THE COMMISSIONER OR  PROGRAM  MANAGEMENT
   13  ENTITY.
   14    2.  IF  ONE  SPOUSE  ENROLLS IN THE COMPACT PROGRAM AND THE OTHER DOES
   15  NOT, AND
   16    (A) THE ENROLLING SPOUSE BECOMES A BENEFICIARY AFTER MEETING THE MAXI-
   17  MUM PLEDGE AMOUNT, THE COUPLE'S ASSETS SHALL BE  EXEMPT  FROM  CONSIDER-
   18  ATION AS A COUNTABLE ASSET.
   19    (B)  THE  ENROLLING  SPOUSE  BECOMES  A  PARTICIPANT PLEDGING A DOLLAR
   20  PLEDGE AMOUNT, ONE-HALF OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE COUPLE'S ASSETS  SHALL
   21  BE  EXCLUDED  FROM  CONSIDERATION  AS A COUNTABLE ASSET BEFORE ANY OTHER
   22  CALCULATIONS AS TO THE AMOUNT REQUIRED TO MEET A DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT.
   23    (C) THE NON-ENROLLING SPOUSE SUBSEQUENTLY APPLIES TO BECOME A  PARTIC-
   24  IPANT  IN  THE  COMPACT,  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL MAY PLEDGE EITHER THE MAXIMUM
   25  PLEDGE AMOUNT OR THE DOLLAR PLEDGE AMOUNT. FOR PURPOSES  OF  DETERMINING
   26  THE  DOLLAR  PLEDGE  AMOUNT  IN  SUCH CASE, THE COUNTABLE ASSETS OF SUCH
   27  INDIVIDUAL SHALL MEAN, BEFORE ANY OTHER CALCULATIONS AS  TO  THE  AMOUNT
   28  REQUIRED  TO  MEET  A  DOLLAR  PLEDGE  AMOUNT,  AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIFTY
   29  PERCENT OF THE REMAINING ASSETS OF THE  COUPLE  LESS  ANY  AMOUNT  STILL
   30  REQUIRED TO MEET THE PLEDGE AMOUNT OF THE INITIAL ENROLLING SPOUSE.
   31    3.  A  TRANSFER OR BEQUEST OF A PROTECTED AMOUNT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A
   32  COUNTABLE ASSET OF THE NON-ENROLLING SPOUSE, NOR SHALL INCOME OR  GROWTH
   33  ON  SUCH INCOME BE COUNTED IF SUCH INCOME WAS PART OF A PROTECTED AMOUNT
   34  AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A
   35  PROTECTED AMOUNT IS THE AMOUNT REMAINING AFTER A PLEDGE HAS BEEN MET.
   36    4. A SURVIVING SPOUSE WHO APPLIES TO BECOME A PARTICIPANT, OR WHO IS A
   37  PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY IN THE COMPACT PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE  REQUIRED
   38  TO  EXERCISE  A  RIGHT OF ELECTION UNDER SECTION 5-1.1-A OF THE ESTATES,
   39  POWERS AND TRUSTS LAW.
   40    S 275. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONVENE AN  ADVI-
   41  SORY  COMMITTEE  TO THE COMPACT PROGRAM, CONSISTING OF ELEVEN PERSONS AS
   42  FOLLOWS: TWO FROM THE ELDER LAW SECTION OF THE NEW YORK STATE BAR  ASSO-
   43  CIATION  TO INCLUDE THE CHAIR OF SUCH SECTION OR A DESIGNEE APPOINTED BY
   44  THE CHAIR WHO SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO; TWO FROM STATEWIDE ADVOCACY GROUPS
   45  PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH SENIOR ISSUES; FOUR FROM PROVIDERS OF SERVICES,
   46  INCLUDING TWO REPRESENTING INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF SERVICES  AND  TWO
   47  REPRESENTING NON-INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS; TWO FROM INSURERS SELLING LONG
   48  TERM CARE INSURANCE IN THE STATE WHO SHALL BE PERSONS WITH AT LEAST FIVE
   49  YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
   50  AND  WHO  ARE OR WHO SHALL HAVE BEEN, SO FAR AS SHALL BE PRACTICABLE, IN
   51  EXECUTIVE POSITIONS; AND ONE WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS ACTUARIAL  EXPERI-
   52  ENCE  IN  LONG  TERM  CARE  INSURANCE  MATTERS. MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE NO
   53  COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR  ACTUAL  AND
   54  NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES HEREUNDER.
   55    2.  THE PURPOSE OF SUCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL BE TO PROVIDE ADVICE,
   56  CONSULTATION AND  RECOMMENDATIONS  ON  SPECIFIC  ISSUES  CONCERNING  THE
       A. 5418--A                         15
    1  COMPACT PROGRAM AND ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING
    2  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  SUCH ISSUES AS THE DEFINITION OF HARDSHIP AND THE
    3  TREATMENT OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP UNDER THE COMPACT, THE TREAT-
    4  MENT  OF  ASSETS  OF PERSONS WHO ARE LIVING SEPARATELY BUT NOT DIVORCED,
    5  LOSS OF INCOME OR ASSETS AFTER A PARTICIPANT  HAS  AGREED  TO  A  PLEDGE
    6  AMOUNT, SPOUSAL PROTECTIONS, AND ANY OTHER ISSUES WHICH THE COMMISSIONER
    7  OR  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  SHALL DEEM NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO THE
    8  OPERATION OF THE COMPACT.  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  SHALL  ADDITIONALLY
    9  CONSIDER  ISSUES  RELATED  TO  CONTINUITY  OF  CARE BY PROVIDERS AND ANY
   10  ISSUES RELATED TO SHIFTING OR FAILING TO PROVIDE  SERVICES  OR  DROPPING
   11  PARTICIPANTS FROM COVERAGE WHEN THEY BECOME BENEFICIARIES. IN PROMULGAT-
   12  ING  REGULATIONS  PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSULT
   13  THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT FAILURE TO RESPOND  TIMELY
   14  BY  THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A DEFECT IN THE PROMULGA-
   15  TION OF SUCH REGULATIONS. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MAY REQUEST  AND  SHALL
   16  RECEIVE  FROM  THE COMMISSIONER SUCH DATA AND ANALYSIS, OR MAY MAKE SUCH
   17  ANALYSIS OF SUCH DATA, AS SHALL ENABLE IT TO FULFILL ITS MISSION  PURSU-
   18  ANT TO THIS TITLE.
   19    3.  THE COMMITTEE SHALL ANNUALLY, OR MORE OFTEN IF THE COMMITTEE SHALL
   20  SO DECIDE, REVIEW THE METHODOLOGY FOR SETTING THE AMOUNT OF THE  COMPACT
   21  SUBSIDY  AND  SHALL  MAKE SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE TO THE COMMIS-
   22  SIONER AS IT SHALL DEEM APPROPRIATE AND IN KEEPING WITH THE  SPIRIT  AND
   23  INTENT OF THIS TITLE.
   24    4.  THE COMMITTEE SHALL ANNUALLY, OR MORE OFTEN IF THE COMMITTEE SHALL
   25  SO DECIDE, REVIEW THE CONDUCT OF PROVIDERS OF  SERVICE  TO  PARTICIPANTS
   26  AND  BENEFICIARIES  AND MAY RECOMMEND TO THE COMMISSIONER THE ESTABLISH-
   27  MENT OF REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING SUCH CONDUCT TO PREVENT ABUSES.  IF  THE
   28  COMMITTEE  SHALL  MAKE  SUCH  RECOMMENDATION, THE COMMISSIONER IS HEREBY
   29  AUTHORIZED TO AND SHALL PRESCRIBE SUCH REQUIREMENTS BY  RULE  AND  REGU-
   30  LATION.
   31    5.  IN  ADDITION  TO  THE  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSIONER AFTER
   32  CONSULTATION WITH THE DIRECTOR SHALL ESTABLISH  A  TEN  MEMBER  CONSUMER
   33  ISSUES  AND  INTEGRITY  COMMITTEE, WHOSE PURPOSE SHALL BE TO EXAMINE THE
   34  IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMPACT WITH RESPECT TO CONSUMER
   35  ISSUES.  MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL INCLUDE PERSONS  WITH  DISABILI-
   36  TIES,  SENIORS, ADVOCATES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS, AND
   37  INDIVIDUALS FROM THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY WITH EXPERTISE IN LONG TERM CARE
   38  POLICY, HEALTH POLICY AND SOCIAL POLICY.  THE  COMMITTEE  SHALL  ADDRESS
   39  ISSUES  REFERRED TO IT BY THE COMMISSIONER OR BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
   40  AND MAY ENGAGE IN STUDIES OF ISSUES AT ITS OWN DISCRETION.  THE  COMMIS-
   41  SIONER  SHALL  DESIGNATE  A CHAIR FOR THE COMMITTEE. THE CONSUMER ISSUES
   42  AND INTEGRITY COMMITTEE SHALL MEET IN A PUBLIC  SETTING  AT  LEAST  FOUR
   43  TIMES  PER YEAR AND AT SUCH OTHER TIMES AS THE COMMISSIONER OR THE CHAIR
   44  OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL DEEM APPROPRIATE.
   45    S 276. REQUIREMENT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY. EXCEPT AS  OTHERWISE  PROVIDED
   46  IN  THIS  SECTION,  ALL  INFORMATION GATHERED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKING
   47  ENROLLMENT IN THE  COMPACT  PROGRAM  SHALL  BE  CONFIDENTIAL,  WITH  THE
   48  FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:
   49    1.  REQUESTS  FOR  INFORMATION  BASED UPON LEGITIMATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
   50  PURPOSES, AS SUCH TERM SHALL BE DEFINED IN REGULATION BY THE COMMISSION-
   51  ER;
   52    2. JUDICIAL SUBPOENAS;
   53    3. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY THE VICTIM OR CLAIMANT OR  HIS  OR  HER
   54  AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE; AND
   55    4.  FOR  PURPOSES  NECESSARY AND PROPER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS
   56  TITLE.
       A. 5418--A                         16
    1    ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY PERMITS THE RELEASE OF  ANY
    2  SUCH DATA AND INFORMATION NOT PERMITTED BY THIS TITLE SHALL BE GUILTY OF
    3  A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGU-
    4  LATIONS  INSURING  THE  TIMELINESS,  COMPLETENESS,  CONFIDENTIALITY  AND
    5  DISPOSITION OF SUCH DATA AND INFORMATION.
    6    S  277.  EDUCATION  AND INFORMATION. THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ENTITY, IN
    7  CONSULTATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE, THE DIRECTOR AND  THE
    8  COMMISSIONER,  IS  HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPRO-
    9  PRIATED THEREFOR  AND  OTHER  FUNDS  MADE  AVAILABLE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   10  SECTION,  TO  ESTABLISH AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM CONCERNING THE
   11  COMPACT PROGRAM OR TO COORDINATE SUCH  EDUCATION  AND  OUTREACH  PROGRAM
   12  WITH ANY SIMILAR PUBLICLY SPONSORED PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF INFORMING
   13  AND  EDUCATING  THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE AVAILABILITY AND ADVANTAGES OF
   14  THE COMPACT PROGRAM BY MEANS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
   15  EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS IN PRINT, AUDIO,  VISUAL,  ELEC-
   16  TRONIC  OR  OTHER  MEDIA;  PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, ADVERTISEMENTS,
   17  MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, WORKSHOPS, MASS MAILINGS, CONFERENCES OR PRESENTATIONS;
   18  ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE HOTLINE AND  ELECTRONIC  SERVICES
   19  TO  PROVIDE  INFORMATION; AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE
   20  COMMISSIONER AND THE DIRECTOR WITH ESTATE PLANNERS, ELDER LAW  ATTORNEYS
   21  AND  OTHER  PROFESSIONALS CONCERNING LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE, INCLUDING
   22  THOSE POLICIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE  PARTNERSHIP  FOR  LONG  TERM  CARE
   23  PROGRAM.  IN  EXERCISING  ANY  POWERS  UNDER  THIS  SECTION, THE PROGRAM
   24  MANAGEMENT ENTITY MAY CONSULT WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCIES,  ORGANIZATIONS,
   25  CONSUMERS  AND  PROVIDERS  OF  LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE OR ORGANIZATIONS
   26  REPRESENTING THEM. IN ADDITION TO STATE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR  PROGRAMS
   27  UNDER THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DIRECTOR MAY ACCEPT FUNDING
   28  FROM  PUBLIC  SOURCES  FOR PROGRAMS UNDER THIS SECTION AND MAY UNDERTAKE
   29  JOINT OR COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS WITH  OTHER  PUBLIC  AGENCIES  OR  PRIVATE
   30  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPORATIONS  WHICH ARE NEITHER PROVIDERS NOR REGULATORS
   31  OF LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE OR AFFILIATES OR UNITS OF SUCH  AGENCIES  OR
   32  CORPORATIONS.
   33    S  2.  The  insurance law is amended by adding a new section 3229-a to
   34  read as follows:
   35    S 3229-A. LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PLANS QUALIFYING TO PROVIDE  COVER-
   36  AGE  UNDER  THE  NEW  YORK  STATE  COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE. ANY OTHER
   37  PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO  THE  CONTRARY  NOTWITHSTANDING,  ANY  TAX
   38  QUALIFIED  LONG  TERM  CARE INSURANCE PLANS MAY BE USED TO MAKE PAYMENTS
   39  FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO  ALLOW  PARTICIPANTS  TO  MEET  PLEDGE  AMOUNTS
   40  PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK STATE COMPACT FOR LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM ESTAB-
   41  LISHED  PURSUANT  TO  TITLE  FOUR  OF  ARTICLE TWO OF THE ELDER LAW. THE
   42  SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ADDITIONALLY APPROVE INSURANCE PLANS  THAT  PROVIDE
   43  OR  INCLUDE  TOTAL BENEFITS IN AN AMOUNT WHICH WILL ALLOW THE INDIVIDUAL
   44  TO MEET THE  PARTICIPATION  FEE  AND  THE  CO-PAY  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THE
   45  COMPACT.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "TAX QUALIFIED" HAS THE
   46  SAME MEANING AS UNDER SECTION 7702B(B) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE  CODE  OF
   47  1986, AS AMENDED.
   48    S 3. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part
   49  of  this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to
   50  be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,  impair  or  invalidate  the
   51  remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
   52  sentence,  paragraph,  section  or part thereof directly involved in the
   53  controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
   54    S 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
   55  have become a law.
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