Enrollment

Integral to the coverage framework laid out in the reform law is a dramatic expansion of the Medicaid program. This primer provides key information about the program today, including a definition of what it is, who and what services are covered, Medicaid expenditures and how they are financed, and information of how health reform reshapes the program for the future.

Review a draft of VHA’s VD-HCBS Procedures including participation requirements, target population details, services and goods offered, allowable expenditures, referral and follow up processes, rate determination and construction, VAMC payments, payment rates for non-professional workers and workload reporting. VA contacts are listed. This is a working document, revised on 3/22/10.

Explore how this state deals with Assessments, Level of Care, Money Follows the Person and other policies through their comprehensive online HCBS Case Management Manual. Included are detailed information on services, units and rates, and forms. Find an online index to the manual, where each link loads a separate Word document with detailed information on the item.

According to the authors, transforming Medicaid’s LTC programs is an urgent priority given states’ challenging fiscal environment. Based on this paper’s model, more than 35 percent of a state’s budget will be needed for Medicaid by 2030, of which half will be for LTC services. The brief examines Medicaid expenditures for LTC, in both institutional and community settings, and presents ideas for consideration for states to transform their programs to help address budget constraints.

How are states getting the word out about benefits counseling? The state of Maine created a 'Work Incentives Planning and Assistance' website that has information about free services and eligibility, referral forms that can be printed and mailed to get an appointment, an online request-for-services form, materials for referring agencies, and resources for people with disabilities returning to work. A link to this page is available and could be a useful model for other MIG states.

Looking for sample e-newsletters funded by the MIG grant and geared towards employing people with disabilities? The state of Maine created 'Working Together e-News' as a way of providing timely, relevant, business-oriented information and updates for employers that are interested in diversifying Maine's workforce. An archive of these newsletters are provided on their website and could serve as an example to other states considering a newsletter sponsorship model.

Looking for a sample strategic MIG plan? Through the NYS Strategic Plan, the MISCC Employment committee and New York Makes Work Pay team have developed and implemented a set of cross-systems strategic recommendations to close the employment gap through executive, legislative and budgetary action. Find the Strategic Plan, as well as a link to the New York Makes Work Pay website.

Find national and state by state estimates of the increases in coverage and the associated costs compared to a baseline scenario without the Medicaid expansions in health reform. Findings show there will be large increases in coverage and federal funding in exchange for a small increase in state spending. Since it is impossible to predict the behavior of each state, the analysis examines two participation rate scenarios differing in the strength of outreach and enrollment efforts.

While 1915(c) waivers are a prominent vehicle for the delivery of HCBS, they are not the only mechanism available to States. CMS developed a technical assistance paper that outlines the enrollment authorities that States may consider when designing managed HCBS programs, the review and approval process for each, and rate setting techniques that may be useful. The appendix offers a useful chart outlining the authorities, including their key flexibilities and limitations.

Looking for samples of MIG program training materials for consumers? The state of New York created a series of informative guides to educate New Yorkers with disabilities about their programs. These reports cover areas such as the earned income tax credit, how to build assets with a plan for achieving self support, and the impact of earnings on supplemental security income benefits. Samples are attached and could serve as guides to other states looking for clear, well designed models.