DOH Announces MLTC Technology Demonstration
The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for a Managed Long Term Care Technology Demonstration. Not-for-profit MLTC plans (Partial-Cap, MAP and PACE) in operation for at least six months and approved to serve at least one rural county (as listed below) are eligible to apply. DOH will make $1M available to fund at least two projects in upstate, rural counties, and anticipates selecting two MLTC plans to participate in the demonstration.
MLTC Technology Demonstration Rural Counties include Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Lewis, Montgomery, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Sullivan, Wyoming.
GOALS. The goal of the initiative is to examine whether the availability of technology in a home and community-based setting can play an important role in keeping individuals in their desired setting. Specifically, the department is looking to see whether or not the increased use of technology will help to decrease unnecessary institutionalization. Many of these technologies are not yet widely available, so this demonstration provides a new method for MLTC plans to help maintain an enrollee’s quality of life while improving care in their familiar home and community-based setting. The findings may provide the department with a baseline for future policy direction relating to the use of new technologies.
The RFA specifies the following four technology categories that plans may select for the demonstration, but notes that others will be considered as well:
- in-home monitoring;
- communication (between the enrolled individual and their family/community supports);
- telemedicine; and
- pill dispensing and reminding.
ELIGIBILITY. Participant eligibility requirements include:
- An applicant must be a not-for-profit MLTC plan, operating under Article 44 of the New York State Public Health Law.
- An applicant must have a minimum of six months experience in MLTC operations.
- Only Medicaid MLTC (Partially Capitated), Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP), and Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans may apply to participate in the demonstration.
- An applicant’s approved service area must include at least one rural county in New York State.
- Applicants must be pre-qualified (if not exempt) in the Grants Gateway on the date applications are due.
- In order to participate in this opportunity, applicants must be registered as a qualified Vendor and have a confirmed NYS Vendor Identification Number.
USE OF FUNDS. Funds may be used, as appropriate, to support the following:
- Purchase, lease, or rental of emerging technologies for use in home and community-based settings by identified plan enrollees
- Supplies for the equipment
- Training-related expenses (for staff and participating Enrollees)
- Salaries and fringe benefits for staff engaged in demonstration implementation and evaluation activities
- Contractual services
- Travel
- Operating expenses
- Other
A copy of the RFA is available here. Applications must be submitted through the New York State Grants Gateway web site. Part IV of the RFA details upcoming Q&A and application timelines and provides links to Grants Gateway educational resources and contacts. The funding contract period is expected to last for two years starting Dec. 1, 2016.
Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841