MasonicAid encompasses three programs of the Masonic & Eastern Star Home Board that are funded through annual earnings of the Home Endowment Fund. MasonicAid is a means of helping worthy and distressed Oregon Master Masons, their wives, and widows, and female members of an Oregon chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

• Ongoing financial commitment to the remaining Life Care Members of the Masonic & Eastern Star Home residing at the Jennings McCall Center. That promise was made in 1922 and will continue. No additional Members will be admitted under this program that required a complete surrender of personal assets in exchange for lifetime care.
• MESHCare. This program provides a new process for admission to and a source of financial assistance while living in either the Jennings McCall Independent or Assisted Living Center. If admitted, it will be required that all of a resident’s personal assets and resources including insurance, retirement savings, pensions, government benefits and real estate will be used for their own care before financial assistance is provided. MESHCare will make up the difference between the cost of room, board and care and all available personal resources of the resident.
• Financial assistance as a feature of OutReach Services. OutReach Services provides coordination of resources for members that can improve the quality of their life and help them live independently in their own community. There is also limited financial assistance available through OutReach if community services are not available. That financial assistance may be used for in-home care, respite for caregivers, personal emergency response systems, transportation, shopping and temporary 24-hour in-home help following injury or illness.

Eligibility

Oregon Master Masons in good standing for minimum of the previous five years, their wives and/or widows, and female members in good standing of an Oregon chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for a minimum of the previous five years are eligible to apply for MasonicAid programs.

To find out more about MESHCare click here

To find out more about OutReach Services click here

MESHCare

Program Details

Application and Financial Review
Every prospective resident, or the resident’s representative, is asked to complete a detailed application. This application includes questions relating to current and past financial matters and requires documentation to support that financial information. A software program is used to predict expected future costs of care and compare that to an applicant’s financial resources. Applicants must demonstrate that their need for financial assistance will be no greater than 35% over their lifetime.

The financial review covers five years immediately preceding the application. Information provided on the application is verified with financial institutions, financial advisors, CPA’s, creditors, insurance companies, attorneys, tax returns and physicians. If the review reveals either divestment of assets, or spendthrift activity the applicant will be ineligible for admission. Divestment refers to giving away, or selling for less than market value, any personal assets that could have been used to pay for future care. Spendthrift activity refers to spending in excess of that necessary to maintain a lifestyle to which the resident was ordinarily accustomed. The Board also requires that all MESHCare residents provide an annual update of financial records.

Physician Evaluation and Report
All applicants to Jennings McCall Assisted Living must provide a report from their primary care physician prior to admission in Jennings McCall. The physician’s report includes results of a physical exam, copies of recent laboratory, imaging and other tests as well as a list of current medications and dosages. It also includes an evaluation of the applicant’s level of functioning in activities of daily living. The applicant will also be asked to provide other health care records if required and a list of any additional health care providers and specialists.

Administrator’s Evaluation
The Administrator of Jennings McCall or a representative will meet personally with each applicant to Assisted Living. An assessment will be completed of the physical and mental capacities of the applicant and determine if all care needs can be met satisfactorily at Jennings McCall. This assessment will be part of the application package and will be included in summary form when the applicant is considered by for admission by the MESH Board.

Admission
The MESH Board of Directors meets monthly and will consider applicants who are determined to be eligible by the Administrator and Executive Director of Jennings McCall and who have completed all the requirements of the application process. If approved the applicant will work with a representative of the Business Office and Marketing department to complete an Occupancy Agreement and arrange for move in to the facility.

For details on how financial assistance is received click here

MESHCare Private Pay Period
Sometimes referred to as the “Spend Down” period, this is the period of time beginning at move-in to Jennings McCall until personal resources are no longer sufficient to pay expenses without assistance. The time period varies depending on individual situations. During this time, all rental and care expenses are paid by the individual and there are no limits with regards to how personal money is spent. However, residents are expected to avoid spendthrift activity and strive to preserve personal assets as long as possible.

While paying privately credit accounts may be maintained and debt incurred. Upon conversion to financial assistance debts must be satisfied and no additional debt may be incurred. All bank accounts are kept open as usual and all bills paid as they were previously.

Keeping life insurance policies is encouraged. If a policy has a cash value, it is considered an asset and must be converted to cash prior to converting to financial assistance. If a policy has no cash value (Death Benefit only) the policy may be used as a means to purchase prepaid funeral arrangements.

While paying privately all health insurance is maintained and medical costs are paid by the resident as usual. Once personal assets are exhausted and financial assistance is being received medical insurance will be maintained through MESHCare for residents in Assisted Living. Residents in Independent Living will have insurance costs calculated as a part of their allowance for personal expenses.

A personal vehicle is considered an asset that must be sold and the net proceeds paid towards the cost of care prior to receiving financial assistance.

Receiving MESHCare Financial Assistance
This begins when personal assets have been exhausted and a resident is no longer able to provide for the costs of residency from those resources.

Residents must comply at all times with the terms of the Jennings McCall Occupancy Agreement and the MESHCare Financial Assistance Agreement to remain in the program. Although the Financial Assistance Agreement and the Jennings McCall Occupancy Agreement provide no guarantee of lifetime care, MESHCare will endeavor to provide continuing care subject to the availability of its resources. 

Upon conversion to Financial Assistance, debts must be satisfied and no additional debt may be incurred. This includes monies owed to any individual or company for any period of time. Examples include: cell phone contracts, department store accounts, personal loans from others, etc.

For resident who are living in Jennings McCall Independent Living MESHCare will provide financial assistance only in the form of a subsidy against your monthly rent. Allowances are calculated with regard to other expenses to ensure that personal income is sufficient to meet other obligations including cost of food, spending money, medical insurance, medical costs and transportation.

For residents living at Jennings McCall Assisted Living Center, the following expenses will be covered under the Financial Assistance program to the extent that the expenses are determined to be appropriate, necessary and sufficient, and are not covered by available insurance or other resources. At the beginning of the Financial Assistance period residents bring their insurance information to the business office for review and in most cases health insurance premiums will be paid once assets are exhausted if it is determine that the policy is advantageous to maintain.

• Room & Board: In accordance with MESHCare guidelines.
• Medical charges: hospital, ER, doctor & ancillary charges.
• Pharmacy bills: (limited to Prescription drug charges and medically necessary over the counter medications)
• Medical supplies (limited to medically necessary items as defined by MESHCare)

Additionally, MESHCare will pay for fair and reasonable charges for doctor visits and any referrals to consulting physicians and other service providers, to the extent these charges are not covered by insurance or other available resources. Eyeglasses and hearing aids are covered for payment under the program, to the extent these charges are not covered by insurance or other available resources.

Medical expenses and doctor visits shall be pre-authorized by the Administrator of Jennings McCall or a representative. Guidelines regarding items paid are subject to change with proper notice.

In Assisted Living, a monthly Spending Allowance of $90.00 (subject to change) per month is available for incidental personal care expenditures. The Spending Allowance will accrue if not used to a maximum limit of $1500. These funds remain the property of MESHCare. Examples of incidental personal care expenditures include but are not limited to:

• Beauty & Barber Shop services
• Medical items not deemed to be “medically necessary”
• Phone service
• Personal transportation
• Newspaper & magazine subscriptions

Residents in both Assisted and Retirement living continue to receive monthly income such as Social Security and pension however these resources are remitted towards the cost of care and other expenses incurred on behalf of the resident by MESHCare.

OutReach Services started in 2009 to identify and coordinate needed services for members that can improve the quality of their life and help them stay independent in their own community. This is done through a variety of channels depending on where the member lives and what may be available, such as:

• Coordination of community and governmental services
• Assistance with applications, making connections with services providers, and solving problems in those connections
• Referral to agencies offering resources or support
• Education on issues related to accessing services and dealing with senior related issues

Situations that may indicate help is needed include: lack of socializing, unhealthy living conditions, strained finances, transportation needs, and other factors that affect quality of life as one ages.

Once a referral is made to the OutReach Services Coordinator an assessment is completed to determine individual needs. A service plan is then developed and help available through community resources is coordinated.

If you are someone, or know someone who would benefit from this help click here for the OutReach Resources Referral Form [hyperlink].

OutReach Financial Assistance

There is limited financial assistance available for some services if resources in the community and natural supports are not available. Those services include in-home care, respite for caregivers, personal emergency response systems, transportation, shopping and temporary 24-hour in home help following injury or illness.

In-Home Care Non-Skilled Services:

Payment for these services is subject to the following guidelines and differs based on level of care. A list of approved providers is available by area of the state.

In-Home-Care Services are defined as non-skilled services such as companion care. These services may include light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, laundry, shopping and transportation. Personal care services include bathing, grooming, hygiene, mobility and transfer assistance, toileting/incontinence, feeding and special diet are also included.

All payment for In-Home Care Services requires pre-authorization from OutReach Services. Recurring authorization is required for continued payment of services. The frequency of recurring authorization is based on an Assessment completed by the OutReach Services Coordinator.

Clients may choose additional services outside the scope of these guidelines at their own expense.

Durable Medical Equipment:

Durable Medical Equipment (such as wheelchairs (manual and electric), hospital beds, lift chairs, scooters, etc.) that is medically necessary as defined by Medicare criteria and prescribed by a physician. All other resources; including community, Medicare/Medicaid and personal insurance must be exhausted prior to the utilization of Financial Assistance.

All requests for Durable Medical Equipment require Medical Pre-Authorization from a physician. OutReach Services has the final approval for such services.

Proof of Payment and Client Accountability:

The OutReach Coordinator will determine level of care and all services will be approved by the Executive Director. Payment for services will be mailed by OutReach Services directly to client. The client, approved family member, guardian or Power of Attorney is responsible for paying the provider or agency for all approved services. The client must send the OutReach Coordinator documentation showing payment (copy of receipts, notification from provider) by the last day of each month. Without documentation Financial Assistance will be discontinued.

For more information contact:

OutReach Services Coordinator
Masonic Grand Lodge of Oregon
2150 Masonic Way
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116

503-357-3158 or 800-970-9920
dchristopherson@masonic-oregon.com