Consumer/Participant Direction

This study examines how a new service delivery model of consumer direction affected Medicaid and Medicare service use and costs. Of particular interest were the program's effects on expenditures for the services that the program \"costed-out\" (that is, those services for which an allowance was provided instead) and on total expenditures for all Medicaid services.

Given the complexities of F/EA operations, it is important to refer to reliable source information such as the lists of Government F/EA and Vendor F/EA Tasks. This information will assist state and local program agency staff in understanding the requirements and key elements of Government and Vendor F/EA operations and developing a Government F/EA Policies and Procedures Manual, when applicable.

In light of this major change and assuming that states may want to learn more about Cash & Counseling, this publication offers an in-depth description of the option, a discussion of key findings from the three-state demonstration, and preliminary information about the program’s expansion into 12 more states. At the end is a list of resources—both Web sites and published materials—for further information. Stories about consumers who have first-hand experience appear throughout this publication.

This manual talks about the steps that need to be taken in order to hire and manage a personal care attendant. Topics that are discussed in the manual include knowing what you need and want, the hiring process, tax considerations, what being an employer involves, stress management, communication skills, plus additional resources.

Completed over an 18 month period in 2004-2005, this project was conceived of as an activity that met the objectives of the Maine Real Choice Systems Change grant and the mission of the Maine Personal Assistance Services Association to build recognition and opportunity for the direct care, direct support, and personal assistance workforce through education, public awareness and professional development. Each story evolves out of a series of in-depth interviews and is told in the worker’s voice.

The 7th CMS New Freedom Initiative Conference was held March 5-7 in Baltimore. Presentations are available in both PDF and text formats. “Choice and Independence” is a key pillar of CMS’ vision for a person-centered long term services and supports system for the future. The 2007 conference focused on the policies, programs, and tools -including opportunities authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act– available to shape and carry out the vision.

Massachusetts was among the first states to receive a Real Choice grant and like many states, took a while to start the grant activities. The work of this collaboration did not always progress smoothly. Many setbacks were experienced by all parties. However, as the end of the grant drew near, key stakeholders looked back and realized that significant progress had been made. This report and a companion video documents lessons learned for policy makers and other stakeholders.

The Compendium contains basic information about each of the Real Choice Systems Change Grant awards in FY03–FY04 plus the Family to Family and Systems Transformation Grantees awarded in FY05 and FY06. The Compendium will help Grantees identify others with similar goals and activities. Learn more about how the grants will be used to allow more people of all ages with a disability or long term illness to live and participate in their communities. The sixth edition replaces all previous editions.

This group of presentations were offered around the state of Colorado in regional training sessions. The day focused on various aspects of consumer direction, including case managers, Medicaid options, and working with personal-care attendants. Other presentations include transitioning a child to consumer-directed health care and a presentation on the benefits, rights, and responsibilities of consumer direction.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) concerned the development of methods and training for assessing personal-experience outcomes for adults with developmental or physical disabilities and frail elders. The grant awardee would contract to develop a tool and related tasks to assess person-experience outcomes and quality of life for the above listed populations.