CLASS Act

AARP has produced a fact sheet with details about the new legislation known as the CLASS Act. CLASS stands for Community Living Assistance Services and Supports. The Act was a piece of the health care law passed recently.

The CLASS Act sets up an insurance program that aims to help people remain in their homes once they have a:

functional limitation, certified by a licensed health care practitioner, that is expected to last for at least 90 continuous days. The limitation could be at least two or three activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, and dressing); a cognitive impairment that requires substantial supervision to protect the person from threats to health or safety; or a similar level of functional limitation.

What will the CLASS Act mean for people who remain in their homes, but who wish to venture out? The benefits will enable people to pay for taxis, buses, vanpools or other transportation to any destination, whether to see a doctor, go to a movie, or have dinner with friends. Of course, the benefits will not be much, up to about $75 per day, depending on the degree of impairment. So, the money will have to also go for whatever supports a person needs - such as help with cooking and bathing.

However, though the funds are clearly inadequate for round-the-clock care, it will assist people who are partially physically or mentally impaired to stay in their homes.

No Age Requirement

Though the CLASS Act seems to be intended mainly for people who are suffering from age-related conditions, it will also provide benefits for people with disabilities, both permanent or temporary. As explained to me at the recent Health Care Colloquium held by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), an insured who has a bad break on the ski slope or a three-month course of chemotherapy would be able to receive temporary benefits for cooking, cleaning and taxi services.

More details are available on the fact sheet.