Senior Spectrum
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January 2012
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Changes for 2012
Medicaid Revises Home & Community-Based Care, Adult Day Health Care, Paratransit
In a move that offers significant benefits to the elderly in Nevada, the Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) adopted amendments to the Medicaid Services Manual (MSM) in December, that streamlines waiver services provided in the home to seniors and people with disabilities. DHCFP additionally adopted amendments that increases reimbursements for Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), and non-emergency paratransit transportation.
Revising Chapter 2200, affective January 1, 2012, the new Home and Community Based Waiver (HCBW) for the Frail Elderly will provide a wider array of services formerly offered by the CHIP waiver. The HCBW waiver establishes efficiencies in services to eligible individuals who may require such services in order to remain in their communities and avoid institutionalization in a hospital or nursing facility. The waiver streamlines services that in the past were fragmented. It allows elders to receive in-home care, and when appropriate be considered for a higher Level of Care (LOC) if they meet additional criteria, such as change in health, and mobility. Waiver services may follow an elder into a residential facility for groups without disruption if there is no Wait List in services.
The HCBW has been widely hailed as the Super Waiver by the Strategic Plan Accountability Committee for Seniors, who advocated for its creation to maximize services for Medicaid applicants, and create efficiencies in DHCFP, Aging and Disability Services (ADSD), and the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS). The three state agencies collaboratively determine eligibility for people 65 years and older. The HCBW approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in October, is sure to provide great changes for at risk elders living in Nevada.
In other action, DHCFP adopted amendments to modify the reimbursement methodology for Adult Day Health Care Services for local government providers. The amendment affects Washoe County Senior Services, who initiated the amendment allowing a higher reimbursement rate from the federal government. “We initiated the improved rate that provides a federal match of over $26 per client per day,” said Washoe County Senior Services Director Grady Tarbutton. “We’re also looking forward to future projects with the state involving the Money Follows the Person program.”
DHCFP also approved amendments to the State Plan providing a higher reimbursement rate for non-emergency paratransit transportation services. The amendment affects the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, and the Carson City Public Works Department. The amendment allows transportation entities to draw down federal matching revenues by as much as 56 percent. This is good news for RTC ACCESS as the actual cost of a trip one-way averages around $24, even though the rider pays $3 in the ADA Zone, and $6 in the Non- ADA Zone (rural areas). RTC ACCESS is the paratransit service that provides door-to-door, prescheduled transportation for people who meet the eligibility criteria in Washoe County. More and more seniors use paratransit and fixed route transportation service than ever before. On RTC RIDE, seniors and people with disabilities make up 32 percent of all passenger trips many citing the economy, high gas prices, and the costs to drive a vehicle.
Town Hall Meetings
The Nevada Division of Aging and Disability Services (ADSD) is holding Town Hall Meetings at the Sparks Senior Center and the Neil Road Recreation Center. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input from area seniors on what they perceive is their highest need whether that be health care, nutrition, or community based services. ADSD is required to write a State Plan for the federal government every four years. Input gathered helps determine Older American Act program funding, and priorities for use of the Master Tobacco Settlement fund. Seniors are encouraged to attend the Town Meeting at the Sparks Senior Center, January 9, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., located at 97 Richard Way, in Sparks. The second meeting will be held January 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Neil Road Recreation Center, 3925 Neil Road, in Reno.
Washoe County Budget
The Washoe County Senior Services budget is scheduled to be discussed along with the county budget in commission chambers, January 24. Seniors are urged to watch the budget discussions closely and provide input. Current talks have centered around cutting Senior Services from the general fund, leaving a $230,000 budget shortfall. The deficit may eliminate services that include Adult Day Health Care, nutrition programs, the Senior Law Project and other services.