GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE BILL 97*

 
 
Short Title:	Long-Term Care Info Outreach.	()	
Sponsors:	Senators Dannelly;  Albertson, Ballance, Clodfelter, Jordan, Lucas, Martin of Guilford, and Wellons.	
Referred to:	Insurance and Consumer Protection.	
February 7, 2001

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND  OTHER ENTITIES TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH STRATEGY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE FUNDING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Department of Insurance, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging and Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, and other appropriate entities or groups, shall implement outreach efforts to inform the public about long‑term care funding and payment options.  The efforts shall include information on the following:
(1)	What long‑term care services are covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
(2)	What services must be paid for in whole or in part by the individual.
(3)	The average premium cost for private long‑term care insurance and what services the long‑term care insurance covers.
(4)	Any other information that might be useful to consumers in planning for and securing long‑term care services.
SECTION 1.(b)  Outreach efforts shall be targeted to:
(1)	Employers.
(2)	Persons who comprise the "baby boomer" generation.
(3)	Financial advisors.
(4)	Certified Public Accountants.
(5)	Banks.
(6)	Advocacy groups and associations that represent senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
(7)	The legal profession.
(8)	Any other individuals or entities identified as having an interest in information about long‑term care.
SECTION 1.(c)  Outreach strategies shall include:
(1)	Community education, including integration into pertinent community college curricula on estate and financial planning.
(2)	The Internet.
(3)	Mass media.
(4)	Information about the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) in the Department of Insurance.
SECTION 2.   Not later than March 1, 2002, the Department of Insurance shall report on the implementation of long‑term care outreach efforts to the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on General Government and Health and Human Services, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Office.
SECTION 3.   There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Insurance the sum of two hundred sixty‑eight thousand dollars ($268,000) for the 2001‑2002 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred sixty‑eight thousand dollars ($268,000) for the 2002‑2003 fiscal year to implement the long‑term care outreach efforts required by this act.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2001.