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LeadingAge NY Provides Recommendations to DOH on Enhanced HCBS FMAP Funding

On June 4th, LeadingAge NY submitted its recommendations to the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for home and community-based services (HCBS) made available through the American Rescue Plan.

The recommendations focus primarily on the following:

  • Expanding and strengthening the HCBS workforce;
  • Payments to direct care workers (hiring, retention, hazard, and other bonuses) to be determined by agencies;
  • Transportation and other supports to address staff shortages and serve rural cases;
  • Attracting and training aides and nurses – stipends, tuition repayment, career ladders, and specialty training;
  • Additional support for COVID-19 relief – personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, additional staffing, and more;
  • Support and investment in Assisted Living Programs (ALPs);
  • Reopening and operational support for adult day health care programs (ADHCs);
  • Funding for a resident assistance program for affordable housing;
  • Investment in technology and telehealth;
  • Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) investments; and 
  • Mechanisms for distributing FMAP funds to ensure optimization of HCBS delivery.

It appears that DOH will have until approximately mid-July to submit its plan for the additional funds. LeadingAge NY will remain in contact with DOH as its plan evolves and will keep members posted on any developments.

To learn more about some of the considerations and conditions that DOH is contemplating as it develops its spending plan, please review a previous Intelligence article here as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) May 13th letter to states here.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-929-9342