Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, when a person who is ineligible for financial assistance due to his or her employability status is currently in or enters a residential substance abuse treatment facility, the Department of Social Services or the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall pay his or her room and board while at such facility, provided the person is eligible to receive medical assistance. Such assistance shall be paid directly to the treatment facility at a rate established by the Department of Social Services or negotiated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.