Section 17a-857 - (Formerly Sec. 17a-314). CHOICES health insurance assistance program. Definitions. Requirements. Reports. Responsibilities of hospitals re Medicare patients. Regulations(a) As used in this section: (1) "CHOICES" means Connecticut's programs for health insurance assistance, outreach, information and referral, counseling and eligibility screening; and(2) "CHOICES health insurance assistance program" means the federally recognized state health insurance assistance program funded pursuant to P.L. 101-508 and administered by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, in conjunction with the area agencies on aging and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, that provides free information and assistance related to health insurance issues and concerns of older persons and other Medicare beneficiaries in Connecticut.(b) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall administer the CHOICES health insurance assistance program, which shall be a comprehensive Medicare advocacy program that provides assistance to Connecticut residents who are Medicare beneficiaries.(c) The program shall provide: (1) Toll-free telephone access for consumers to obtain advice and information on Medicare benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through the Medicare Part D program, the Medicare appeals process, health insurance matters applicable to Medicare beneficiaries and long-term care options available in the state at least five days per week during normal business hours;(2) information, advice and representation, where appropriate, concerning the Medicare appeals process, by a qualified attorney or paralegal at least five days per week during normal business hours;(3) information through appropriate means and format, including written materials, to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, senior citizens and organizations regarding Medicare benefits, including prescription drug benefits available through Medicare Part D and other pharmaceutical drug company programs and long-term care options available in the state;(4) information concerning Medicare plans and services, private insurance policies and federal and state-funded programs that are available to beneficiaries to supplement Medicare coverage;(5) information permitting Medicare beneficiaries to compare and evaluate their options for delivery of Medicare and supplemental insurance services;(6) information concerning the procedure to appeal a denial of care and the procedure to request an expedited appeal of a denial of care; and(7) any other information the program or the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services deems relevant to Medicare beneficiaries.(d) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may include any additional functions necessary to conform to federal grant requirements.(e) All hospitals, as defined in section 19a-490, which treat persons covered by Medicare Part A shall: (1) Notify incoming patients covered by Medicare of the availability of the services established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section,(2) post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place therein the toll-free number established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and(3) provide each Medicare patient with the toll-free number and information on how to access the CHOICES program.(f) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-857
(P.A. 89-135, S. 1, 6; P.A. 93-262 , S. 1 , 87 ; P.A. 01-39 , S. 1 , 3 ; P.A. 03-19 , S. 46 ; P.A. 05-102 , S. 2 ; P.A. 07-155 , S. 1 ; P.A. 10-32 , S. 69 ; P.A. 13-97 , S. 5 ; 13-125 , S. 18 ; P.A. 16-21 , S. 1 ; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 , S. 298 ; P.A. 18-169 , S. 22 .)
Section 17a-314 was transferred to section 17a-857 in 2023.Amended by P.A. 19-0157, S. 48 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2019 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2019.Amended by P.A. 18-0169, S. 22 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2018 Regular Session, eff. 6/14/2018.Amended by P.A. 17-0002, S. 298 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2017 Special Session, eff. 10/31/2017.Amended by P.A. 16-0021, S. 1 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2016 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2016.