Montachusett Home Care is the Agency responsible for conducting Nursing Home eligibility screening for Medicaid reimbursable services in our 21 cities and towns. Screenings are done on clients both in the community and in the Nursing Facilities. Medical eligibility for Nursing Facility approval for clients in the community is determined from an assessment by a nurse with medical information provided by client’s doctor or an involved Certified Home Health Agency. All approvals are based on regulations established by the Division of Medical Assistance. Screenings may also be done in Nursing Homes when an elder’s payment source will be changing to Medicaid, when transferring to another facility or the initial decision was for a short term stay.

An important goal of the program is to assure that elders are receiving care at the most appropriate level within the continuum of long-term care. When possible clients are assisted to remain in, or return to, the community with appropriate support services.

Ombudsman Program

The word "ombudsman" refers to a person who investigates and resolves the complaints of a citizen. As applied to nursing and rest homes, the Ombudsman Program visits residents in these facilities to investigate and resolve complaints by residents of their personal care, their belongings, food matters, roommate problems or other issues which impact a residents life in the facility. Most complaints are resolved within the facility through discussion and negotiation.