Governor signs Legislation to Offer More Continuing Care Services to Seniors

Senator Michael Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger are pleased to announce that S.2118-B/A.4611-B has been signed into law by the Governor. 

The new law, Chapter 549 of the Laws of 2014, which was sponsored by Schimminger in the Assembly and Senator Michael Ranzenhofer in the Senate, will enable continuing care retirement communities to offer additional service options to seniors.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) presently offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ changing needs. Upon entering, healthy adults can reside independently in single-family homes, apartments or condominiums. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into assisted living or nursing care facilities. These communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their life, with much of their future care already figured out.

The new law will add a Life Care at Home option for those wishing to take advantage of a CCRC Life Care product, but do not wish to, or cannot afford to, move to a CCRC facility. Seniors will have the choice of purchasing Life Care administered in a campus setting or Life Care delivered to their door from an established CCRC. This approach will allow more of New York’s aging population to take advantage of these continuing care services.

"This law will make new options available to seniors.  By offering additional affordable care options, more seniors will be able to live independently, while lowering their health care costs. I am so pleased that this initiative has been signed into law," said State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer. 

“This new law specifically aims to assist the Baby Boomer generation, who are reaching the age when they may wish to start planning for any future life care needs by allowing for an additional avenue of care at home,”  said Schimminger, a member of the Assembly Health Committee. “It will not only provide a more affordable option, but it will also lower health care costs and decrease state and county Medicaid expenditures. Seniors can age gracefully without jeopardizing their medical care and stay in a setting where they feel most comfortable.”

A chapter amendment to this new law will be introduced at the beginning of the 2015 Legislative Session, which will clarify that CCRCs will be authorized to offer two different contract options that slightly vary in processes and client rights. In addition, the amendment will also establish a framework for CCRCs to provide the care at home option which informs consumers about their options and ensures that there is a capability and process in place to transition clients into health care facilities within the community should their needs change.

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