Provides electronic monitoring system for functionally impaired elderly or disabled persons; appropriation

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing personal emergency response services as part of home care services, and making an appropriation therefor

Purpose or general idea

To enable the functionally impaired elderly to maintain their independence in the community and reduce the total cost of providing care.

Summary of specific provisions

Defines the Personal Emergency Response System as a 24 hour, seven days per week electronic monitoring system for the functionally impaired elderly or disabled persons Jiving alone or likely to be left alone for a substantial period of time. Authorizes hospitals, residential health care facilities, certified home health agencies, and the long term home health care program a personal emergency response system.

Application to the Commissioner of Health shall include an outline of the agency's plans for the system; need, personnel to be employed; geographic area in which the system will be provided. Provision of service shall be based on a comprehensive assessment of each applicant and shall include an appropriate plan of care. To be eligible a client must have physician's orders, live alone or be alone for a substantial period of time, meet any other criteria defined by the Commissioner.

Provides for grants to start up system not to exceed $15,000 a year and are not renewable. Provides for grants of up to 50% of costs to expand the system where it is already in place. Makes an appropriation of $100,000 for carrying out provisions of this act.

Justification

The lack of available 24 hour care in many sections of the state forces many individuals who need continuing care to be institutionalized. The Personal Emergency Response System provides continuous monitoring that postpones or alleviates the need for institutionalization. The system is also a cost effective method for providing 24 hour care in the home. Because of the high cost of providing such care, home placement for certain impaired individuals is prohibitive. Currently, PERS' cost averages $17 per month compared to $1050 a month for a home health visit (based on a $35 cost per day). The system used in conjunction with other home services can decrease the use of having an aide constantly on duty and thus decrease the cost of community based care.

Results of a PEW funded study in Massachusetts concluded that the response system improved the quality of life of PERS users, severely functionally disabled and not socially isolated, each $1.00 spent on the system produced a net savings of $7.19 in total long-term care costs due to reduced use of institutional and community services. In addition, the system provides added support to families in their efforts to care for their relatives.

Currently, Personal Emergency Systems are reimbursable under Medicare at the federal level.

Prior legislative history

2001-02: A.2502 2003-04: A.1003 2005-06: A.3091 2007-08: A.2479

Fiscal implication for state and local governments

Makes a $100,000 appropriation.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year following the date it shall have become law.